Digital BW, The Print

Have you tried adjusting the scanner settings, or are you just using the
default settings ?


----- Original Message -----
From: "B. Alex Pettit Jr." <a_pettit_jr@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2002 6:44 AM
Subject: [Digital BW] Cheap Scanner ??


> Well, now that I finally have a good BW printer ( Epson 2000P + MIS FSe ),
I set up this Microtek X12USL scanner ($270) and 5x7" transparancy adapter
lid ($80).
>
> I have some old glass 4x5 negatives from my grandfather that I wish to
scan and print, and I thought this scanner would work fine : Wrong !
> Although it is rated for 42 bit color and 2400x1200 resolution, the
dynamic range is just miserable. I cannot resolve anything in the darker
negative areas - they just show as white. I improved it a bit by scanning as
a Positive and then swapping afterwards ( in Picture Windows 16 bit mode ),
but in examining the negatives with a magnifier, I am loosing a great amount
of detail. No afterscan correction curves work properly - the data is lost:
the subtile grey shading in these deeper areas is not captured.
>
> 1) any tricks for wide white to black ratio negatives ?
> 2) what is an 'inexpensive' scanner capable of properly acquiring the
information from these, somewhat grainy and imperfect, but still interesting
circa 1900 negatives ???
>
> Thanks,
> Alex
>
>
>
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Alex,

I don't think this scanner is going to live up to your expectations. The
actual optical resolution is probably no more than 1200 dpi and I have to be
skeptical about the optics and electronics on something this low end. I
would recommend that you check out the Epson 2450 and 1680 scanners, $399
and $1,149. The best for the glass negs would probably be one of the high
end Scitex scanners but I assume you don't want to part with several
thousand dollars. As someone suggested, you might want to contact a service
bureau with a high end flat bed and have some things scanned so that you can
see the difference.

The scanner is probably more important or as important to getting a good
print as the printer.

Martin Wesley

http://www.borderless-photos.de/guests.html



----- Original Message -----
From: "B. Alex Pettit Jr." <a_pettit_jr@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2002 3:44 AM
Subject: [Digital BW] Cheap Scanner ??


> Well, now that I finally have a good BW printer ( Epson 2000P + MIS FSe ),
I set up this Microtek X12USL scanner ($270) and 5x7" transparancy adapter
lid ($80).
>
> I have some old glass 4x5 negatives from my grandfather that I wish to
scan and print, and I thought this scanner would work fine : Wrong !
> Although it is rated for 42 bit color and 2400x1200 resolution, the
dynamic range is just miserable. I cannot resolve anything in the darker
negative areas - they just show as white. I improved it a bit by scanning as
a Positive and then swapping afterwards ( in Picture Windows 16 bit mode ),
but in examining the negatives with a magnifier, I am loosing a great amount
of detail. No afterscan correction curves work properly - the data is lost:
the subtile grey shading in these deeper areas is not captured.
>
> 1) any tricks for wide white to black ratio negatives ?
> 2) what is an 'inexpensive' scanner capable of properly acquiring the
information from these, somewhat grainy and imperfect, but still interesting
 circa 1900 negatives ???
>
> Thanks,
> Alex
>
>
>
>
> Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and
other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
> If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
page.
>
> Please follow these basic guidelines:
> - Include your full name with your message.
> - Include the address of your website, if you have one.
> - As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
them short.
> - As the topic of a thread changes remember to change the subject header.
> - Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or
&amp;amp;quot;flames.&amp;amp;quot;
> - Complete your Yahoo profile.
> - Before posting a question, search the message archives and the various
resources on the homepage.

>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Hello Martin,

I will take your advice and have a few commercially scanned to see what quality I can obtain...

As I recall, there are hundreds of these old 4x5s. I just need to get my Father to send them all to me then I can ascertain the value in purchasing a better scanner.

Do you think the Epson 1680 would be an 'effective' scanner for this purpose - considering the age, film grain and general degredation of old glass negs ?

Thanks ( again and again ),
Alex

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

I

> would recommend that you check out the Epson 2450 and 1680 scanners, $399
> and $1,149. The best for the glass negs would probably be one of the high
> end Scitex scanners but I assume you don't want to part with several
> thousand dollars. As someone suggested, you might want to contact a service
> bureau with a high end flat bed and have some things scanned so that you can
> see the difference.
> 
> The scanner is probably more important or as important to getting a good
> print as the printer.
> 
> Martin Wesley
> 
> http://www.borderless-photos.de/guests.html
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "B. Alex Pettit Jr." <a_pettit_jr@y...>
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y...>
> Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2002 3:44 AM
> Subject: [Digital BW] Cheap Scanner ??
> 
> 
> > Well, now that I finally have a good BW printer ( Epson 2000P + MIS FSe ),
> I set up this Microtek X12USL scanner ($270) and 5x7" transparancy adapter
> lid ($80).
> >
> > I have some old glass 4x5 negatives from my grandfather that I wish to
> scan and print, and I thought this scanner would work fine : Wrong !
> > Although it is rated for 42 bit color and 2400x1200 resolution, the
> dynamic range is just miserable. I cannot resolve anything in the darker
> negative areas - they just show as white. I improved it a bit by scanning as
> a Positive and then swapping afterwards ( in Picture Windows 16 bit mode ),
> but in examining the negatives with a magnifier, I am loosing a great amount
> of detail. No afterscan correction curves work properly - the data is lost:
> the subtile grey shading in these deeper areas is not captured.
> >
> > 1) any tricks for wide white to black ratio negatives ?
> > 2) what is an 'inexpensive' scanner capable of properly acquiring the
> information from these, somewhat grainy and imperfect, but still interesting
>  circa 1900 negatives ???
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Alex
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and
> other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:
> >
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
> >
> > If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
> unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
> page.
> >
> > Please follow these basic guidelines:
> > - Include your full name with your message.
> > - Include the address of your website, if you have one.
> > - As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
> them short.
> > - As the topic of a thread changes remember to change the subject header.
> > - Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or
> &amp;amp;quot;flames.&amp;amp;quot;
> > - Complete your Yahoo profile.
> > - Before posting a question, search the message archives and the various
> resources on the homepage.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >