Scanning of 8x10 inch sheet film

[jsch]

Hi,

I finally found a place where I can scan my 8x10 inch sheet film (B&W, T-Max 400) with a Creo A3 flat bed scanner. I've started some tests, but would be thankfull for some advice:

Film: 8x10 inch B&W, Kodak T-Max 400
The scans are for my archive, so I don't know about the usage now. I just want all the information that is in the film digitized.
1. What is a good scanning resolution (the scanner can be set up to about 2400 dpi)?
2. 8 bit or 16 bit?
3. Grey scale or RGB (once I heard it would make sense even for B&W)?

Thank you,
Johannes

[Jonathan Wienke]

I'd recommend the maximum optical resolution of the scanner (interpolated resolutions are just marketing BS), 16-bit, and RGB for the initial scan. Then I'd do noise reduction to reduce noise introduced by the scanner, (scanning RGB will make this more effective with less loss of detail), deconvolution-based sharpening such as Focus magic or Photoshop's Smart Sharpen (remove lens blur), then convert to 16-bit B&W and save as either TIFF or PSD.

[sinar444]

I'd recommend the maximum optical resolution of the scanner (interpolated resolutions are just marketing BS), 16-bit, and RGB for the initial scan. Then I'd do noise reduction to reduce noise introduced by the scanner, (scanning RGB will make this more effective with less loss of detail), deconvolution-based sharpening such as Focus magic or Photoshop's Smart Sharpen (remove lens blur), then convert to 16-bit B&W and save as either TIFF or PSD.

I'm using an Epson V750 Pro scanner and I agree to have as high resolution as you can but my experience is that the size of the scanner generated TIFF file is larger than 1GB (resolution 2400dpi, 16bit gray scale). My 4 core workstation with 8Gb memory (using CS3) is working very hard when processing the file, and you need huge storage capacity in case of a large number of 8x10-s. As for the scanning I use the GANE function of Silverfast sw (low level) which eliminates rough grains but keeps the shapness.

[tived]

How is the Epson V750 Pro? Do you scan wet or dry? Is there a 8x10 inch holder or do you put the film directly on the glas?

In terms of Mb/Gb you are right and I think 2400 dpi is the max. I'm still not shure whether 1400-1800 dpi are enough. Perhaps I scan with 2400 and sample after PS down to 1400 dpi.

Best,
Johannes

Johannes,

Prepare a master file, with the highest resolution, that your scanner and film can handle. Highest bit, scan it slightly flatter then what looks good on your scanner screen, this way you do not through away too much information in the process.

Good luck

Henrik

[MHMG]

FYI, for those with an Epson V750-pro or many other desktop variety scanners, Vuescan Pro software

http://www.hamrick.com/

gives these scanners a delightful workflow and saves one the trouble of trying to create the "perfect scan" using the scanner software interface. It does this by allowing you to save a RAW file in DNG format that encodes all the data the scanner has to offer. This feature is a real gem because the DNG file thus enables your film scan to have a very familiar RAW camera file workflow. Anyone used to processing RAW files in ACR or Lightroom can then conveniently make all scanner tone and color corrections in ACR/Photoshop without having to master the quirks and often very frustrating editing limitations of the scanner supplied software. This single feature in Vuescan Pro makes its $80 price tag worth every penny. Disclaimer: just a very satisfied customer, no affiliation whatsoever with this software vendor.

Cheers,

Mark

http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com

[sinar444]

How is the Epson V750 Pro? Do you scan wet or dry? Is there a 8x10 inch holder or do you put the film directly on the glas?

In terms of Mb/Gb you are right and I think 2400 dpi is the max. I'm still not shure whether 1400-1800 dpi are enough. Perhaps I scan with 2400 and sample after PS down to 1400 dpi.

Best,
Johannes

I scan dry. Unfortunatelly there's no 8x10 holder so I "manufactured" one. If you put the film directly on the glass you'll have the Newton rings and you can get rid of them with Photoshop. I use also 2400dpi (external hard disks are not so expensive today :-) and do the processing in this size (poor Photoshop) and then I reduce the size of it. My experience is that most of the picture viewer programs (eg. ACDsee) are not able to show up pictures larger than 550-600 Mb.

Best regards
Istvan

[LeiMeng]

Hi,

I finally found a place where I can scan my 8x10 inch sheet film (B&W, T-Max 400) with a Creo A3 flat bed scanner. I've started some tests, but would be thankfull for some advice:

Film: 8x10 inch B&W, Kodak T-Max 400
The scans are for my archive, so I don't know about the usage now. I just want all the information that is in the film digitized.
1. What is a good scanning resolution (the scanner can be set up to about 2400 dpi)?
2. 8 bit or 16 bit?
3. Grey scale or RGB (once I heard it would make sense even for B&W)?

Thank you,
Johannes

Johannes,

Sorry I can't answer your questions instead I have questions for you.  I have been looking for a good place to scan my 8x10 too. Drum scan is expensive so flat bed scanner like Creo is under my consideration.  Could you share where your place is (which city)?  Do you rent the scanner or do you pay somebody to scan it for you?  I heard Creo Iqsmart series has the built-in anti-Newton ring glass, is it true?  thank you.

Lei

[LeiMeng]

Hi Lei,

I live in the south-west of Germany. I'm allowed to use an old scanner in the lab of a colleague. He comes from the prepress side of imagery and has a lot of equipment standing around. Today he specialises in other things and he let me use his old stuff. There is no scanning service or something like that.

So far I only used the scanner dry and there were no Newton problems. But the scanner is pretty slow and the creo scan-program is a bit strange. But I'm just at the beginning.

Best,
Johannes

Thank you Johannes.  I'm in US, Germany is too far.    Good luck with your scanning.
Lei