Topic: Scanning 120 negs

[SuziLivingstone]

Apologies if this has been discussed as a topic before now.. I couldn't see any threads relating..

I shoot pretty much exclusively with 120 and have a whole bunch of panoramas I've never got around to uploading due to being a bit of a scanner twit.. so I just bought this Lomography (I know, I know, wasn't cheap either) 120 scanning mask which I thought would make my life easier.. but I can't get the thing to work.. my scanner (HP Scanjet 3800 - oldish) has a 35mm neg scan thing in built which has produced pretty good results.. if I used 35mm it would be ideal..

Anyone else scan 120 negs and if so, can you share your technique? I'm sure I must be doing something wrong here..

 

[sapata]

Hi Suzi...
If I got your question right, your scanner it's only for 35mm and not for 120 negs, even with the lomographic mask.

[SuziLivingstone]

Hi Suzi...
If I got your question right, your scanner it's only for 35mm and not for 120 negs, even with the lomographic mask.

Yeah, I guess.. although the software that came with the scanner also offers "large format" scans.. yet there is no larger neg holder... so that's why I figured the lomography scanning mask would work..

[Francois]

The only way to make it work is to scan the top of the negative separately from the bottom and stich everything into photoshop.

The only other way to get this working would be a different scanning back.
I guess using a white cold cathode from a dead scanner and making a custom housing and diffusion box for it would work. If you have in your family someone who tinkers a bit in electronics and who is capable of making a wood box, this could be the answer (using LED's with a DC power supply might also work).

[SuziLivingstone]

The only way to make it work is to scan the top of the negative separately from the bottom and stich everything into photoshop.

The only other way to get this working would be a different scanning back.
I guess using a white cold cathode from a dead scanner and making a custom housing and diffusion box for it would work. If you have in your family someone who tinkers a bit in electronics and who is capable of making a wood box, this could be the answer (using LED's with a DC power supply might also work).

Thanks Francois, I rarely use PS so I think I'll try and find either a dedicated 120 neg scanner or another way to tinker with it.

[sapata]

I had the 3800 for a while and I did all my 120 scans stitching in photoshop, which was a real pain. Since I couldn't afford other scanner that was my only choice.

Now I have the epson V700 and I really recommend !

[SuziLivingstone]

I had the 3800 for a while and I did all my 120 scans stitching in photoshop, which was a real pain. Since I couldn't afford other scanner that was my only choice.

Now I have the epson V700 and I really recommend !

Yeah, I hate PS so that's not even an option for me.. I'll check out the Epson V700 that sounds good. Thanks Mauricio  

[Mojave]

Hey Suzi.
I use an Epson 4490 scanner. Cost me 125.00 and from what I can see on Amazon they are about the same price still. It has holders for 35mm/transparencies and 120. I even use it for scanning my reclaimed fuji negs. I just tape them to the middle and dont use a holder at all.
Its a cheap scanner but this thing has been a real workhorse for me. I use it all the time and its probably over a year old now and I've never had a single issue with it. When I start to see lines running through the scans, I know I need to clean the glass and when I do, that clears the problem right up.
Some of the reviews on Amazon said that its really loud. I dont have that problem at all. Somebody said something about unlocking it before you begin to scan and I did that but now I cant remember exactly what it was I did. LOL! Sorry!
Anyway, its a cheap but good little scanner. Maybe you can get your money back from Lomography and get the scanner?

[SuziLivingstone]

Hey Suzi.
I use an Epson 4490 scanner. Cost me 125.00 and from what I can see on Amazon they are about the same price still. It has holders for 35mm/transparencies and 120. I even use it for scanning my reclaimed fuji negs. I just tape them to the middle and dont use a holder at all.
Its a cheap scanner but this thing has been a real workhorse for me. I use it all the time and its probably over a year old now and I've never had a single issue with it. When I start to see lines running through the scans, I know I need to clean the glass and when I do, that clears the problem right up.
Some of the reviews on Amazon said that its really loud. I dont have that problem at all. Somebody said something about unlocking it before you begin to scan and I did that but now I cant remember exactly what it was I did. LOL! Sorry!
Anyway, its a cheap but good little scanner. Maybe you can get your money back from Lomography and get the scanner?

Thanks Erin, I'll check it out. I think I'll keep the Lomography scanning mask (it's cute!) and add it to my ever expanding collection of STUFF  

[Late Developer]

Hi Suzy.

As a former darkroom user who wants to keep using film, I had a choice - find / rent a darkroom or scan negs / have them scanned for me.

Finding a darkroom locally is an impossibility for me. There may be one in London (where I work) but it would cost much moolah and I'd still have to commute almost two hours to get home afterwards.

After a bit of a prowl round the interweb, I came across the Epson range of scanners and, as my missus wanted to give me some money for Christmas, I put the rest towards getting the V750. It's a flat-bed scanner and comes with the holders for 35mm strip film, 35mm mounted slides, 6cm strip film (so okay for 645, 6x6, 6x7 etc.....) and you can even do 5x4 and 10x8.

I'm not yet fully proficient at using it - but I'm getting there and it seems to give good results. The only downside (as such) is it's over £500 and when scanning at high resolution, it takes quite a bit of time. Mind you, I don't need many excuses to go brew a fresh pot of tea and grab a few biscuits!

Definitely worth checking out the Epson range as they're not all so expensive but I'm not sure what differences are between specifications. I'm sure if you check the Epson web page, all will become clear (ish).

Paul.

[Phil Bebbington]

I'll second the V750 - amazing quality for a flatbed, well worth the money in my opinion. I've had it over 2 years now.

[SuziLivingstone]

Hi Suzy.

As a former darkroom user who wants to keep using film, I had a choice - find / rent a darkroom or scan negs / have them scanned for me.

Finding a darkroom locally is an impossibility for me. There may be one in London (where I work) but it would cost much moolah and I'd still have to commute almost two hours to get home afterwards.
Paul.

Ditto for me, once my last central London darkroom closed I've found it nigh on impossible to find another so near, and I don't really have enough room to build one in my flat, alas. I miss my old d/room 

[Alan]

I bought the V500 flatbed scanner about a year ago,
couldnt afford the 700 series.

I found that the film holders that come with the scanner
are crap, better if they could be melted down and remoulded
into lens caps!

I bought a 'better scanning' height adjustable neg holder
with special glass to keep the neg perfectly flat,
which is important when scanning. i can get sharper
scans than than using the original holders.

[SuziLivingstone]

I bought the V500 flatbed scanner about a year ago,
couldnt afford the 700 series.

I found that the film holders that come with the scanner
are crap, better if they could be melted down and remoulded
into lens caps!

I bought a 'better scanning' height adjustable neg holder
with special glass to keep the neg perfectly flat,
which is important when scanning. i can get sharper
scans than than using the original holders.

Essentially, this Lomography scanning mask is a great design and keeps the neg flat and in place - if it worked with my scanner it would be even better. So I'm looking into getting a new scanner and using it with that..

[jojonas~]

I bought the V500 flatbed scanner about a year ago,
couldnt afford the 700 series.

I found that the film holders that come with the scanner
are crap, better if they could be melted down and remoulded
into lens caps!

I bought a 'better scanning' height adjustable neg holder
with special glass to keep the neg perfectly flat,
which is important when scanning. i can get sharper
scans than than using the original holders.

I'm been thinking about those neg holders too.. I think the ones for 35mm are decent but for 120 it just doesn't look good. I get fiddly with my tlr shots but don't mind much with my holga films though ;P

[Mike (happyforest)]

It would be worth checking the Lomo site for info on the film holder.

I think they do list scanners they are compatible with their holders.

I have an epson 4490 and agree that the film holders could be better.  The main issue for me has been holding the film flat, particularly with 35mm.

Mike

[Late Developer]

I bought a 'better scanning' height adjustable neg holder
with special glass to keep the neg perfectly flat,
which is important when scanning. i can get sharper
scans than than using the original holders.

Any chance of a link to where you bought yours from, please? I agree about the Epson holders and I don't want to have to resort to the liquid filled thingy that Epson offers in conjunction with the V750.

Many thanks, Paul.

[Mike (happyforest)]

http://www.betterscanning.com/

mike

[Pete_R]

I use the Epson 4990 which is fine except the focus is about 2mm above the neg so I have to use spacers under the holder to get the best possible results. I think this is common with flatbeds and the holders Mike has suggested is a good solution. I'm think of getting one myself now I'm back to doing some MF.

[Late Developer]

http://www.betterscanning.com/

mike

Thanks Mike.

Not cheap and I'd have to ship them over to the UK - but, if it means getting the best out of my camera, film, lenses and scanner, I'd be stupid not to get one. (Now I know what my wife can get me from Christmas.... )

[Mike (happyforest)]

LD

I think S&H means shipping and handling so the prices seem to include this.

Although anti-newton Glass is extra.

I would be interested in seeing how the lomo performs.  This I think comes with anti-newton glass.

Mike

[SuziLivingstone]

I would be interested in seeing how the lomo performs.  This I think comes with anti-newton glass.

Mike

I read some really good reviews of it before I got it, so I'll keep trying until I get it right.

[jojonas~]

I would be interested in seeing how the lomo performs.  This I think comes with anti-newton glass.

Mike

I read some really good reviews of it before I got it, so I'll keep trying until I get it right.

really? might be worth checking out...

[SuziLivingstone]

LD

I think S&H means shipping and handling so the prices seem to include this.

Although anti-newton Glass is extra.

I would be interested in seeing how the lomo performs.  This I think comes with anti-newton glass.

Mike

The lomo digitaliza scanning mask doesn't have any glass. It uses a magnetic strip to flatten the film.. I was a bit confused at first but this is how it works http://vimeo.com/14035789

Anyway, my scanning problem seems to be solved momentarily just by scanning the negs directly on the scanner with a sheet of white paper on top.. then inverting the jpg in photoshop (thanks Mauricio) and that seems to work okay..