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Author Topic: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back  (Read 32401 times)

dmerger

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #40 on: December 18, 2012, 11:11:09 pm »

Erik, are you able to use the Minolta scan software with your scanner?  (I know it's not supported on most current OS.)
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Dean Erger

Pascalf

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #41 on: December 18, 2012, 11:20:36 pm »

Hi,

Can you share your experience of scanning? May be helpful for others scanning film. For instance which scanner on software you are using?
, . . .
- as mentioned, the scanners are Nikon LS9000 and Nikon LS2000
- software is always NikonScan of the appropriate version required to use the scanner:
- the Nikon LS2000 is run from a PowerBookG3 running OS9 and NikonScan
- the Nikon LS9000 is run from a PowerMacG5 running NikonScan on OSX

, . . .
The drum scanned image was adjusted by the lab doing the scans.
, . . .
- and that scan is great, providing you with a very flexible file to work with towards getting the look you want.  You can darken the image and get great density without boosting any values [meaning that you are not boosting noise].

I'll post the [medium format slide film scanning] example when I can.

Regards,
Pascal
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #42 on: December 19, 2012, 12:24:39 am »

Hi,

That scan was made http://www.high-end-scans.de/

Working with the owner, Dominique Ventzke, was a very pleasant experience.

Best regards
Erik


...
- and that scan is great, providing you with a very flexible file to work with towards getting the look you want.  You can darken the image and get great density without boosting any values [meaning that you are not boosting noise].
...

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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #43 on: December 19, 2012, 02:48:08 pm »

Hi,

I use Vurscan mostly, in part because I have been involved with its implementation for the DSMP, it has been developed with my scanner as reference and I was doing all the testing.

The Minolta software works using PowerPC emulation on my Mac using Leopard but I think it would not work on latest OS like Lion or Mountain Lion. Vuescan doesn't find it if has not been initialized by Minolta driver, but I think there may be a workaround. The Minolta software is quite OK, BTW.

Best regards
Erik

Erik, are you able to use the Minolta scan software with your scanner?  (I know it's not supported on most current OS.)
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dmerger

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #44 on: December 19, 2012, 05:04:08 pm »

Erik, I noted you said that you are not good at scanning negative film.   I expect that that is an overstatement.  In any event, I understand your commitment to VueScan, but thought I’d pass along something you may want to try with your Minolta scan software.

When you installed the Minolta software, it should automatically have installed two profiles: one for normal positive film scans and one for 16 bit linear scans. There is a third profile, however, in the Minolta program files that doesn’t get installed automatically.  It should be labeled MLTF5000n.  That profile is a negative film profile.  I know that there isn’t supposed to be such a thing, but it’s there none the less.  And it works great (at least for me with the original Minolta 5400 scanner).

If you want to try it, here is what I’ve found works well.  Of course you first need to install the MLTF5000n profile.  Then, in the Minolta software, scan as a negative without any color management.  Make no color or tone adjustments.  Make some low resolution, fast test scans at various exposure settings, using only the master exposure slider.  What you’re looking for is an ETTR exposure. Once you think you’ve got the correct exposure, test it by opening it in PS and assigning the MLTF5000n profile (but don’t convert to your working color space).  Check the exposure.  Rescan if necessary to get the proper ETTR exposure. 

Once you have the correct exposure dialed in, set your scan resolution to the maximum native scan resolution.  Manual focus on a uniform area if possible so that you’re focusing on the film grain.  Use ICE if you like (which may have a slight effect on the exposure, so test again to be sure you still have the best exposure).  Then scan and save that scan as you would the negative.  Just to be safe, I usually immediately make a copy and work with it. 

Open your scan in PS, assign the MLTF5000n profile, and then convert to your working color space (I use ProPhoto).  At that point I sometimes run Neat Image to reduce film grain, save the file, and then open it in LR for most of my edits.  Of course you can use whatever photo editing program you prefer.

I don’t know how the Minolta engineers were able to create their negative profile, but I tried it with Fuji Reala and Kodak Gold 100, and it works great for both of them.

I’m not sure if this profile is something you’ll like, but thought that you may want to try it, out of curiosity if nothing else.
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Dean Erger

jhimages

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #45 on: December 19, 2012, 09:17:11 pm »

I want to thank everyone for the excellent discussion.  I'm very glad I asked.  Erik, thank for the images.

I myself am not hung up at this point on the film vs. digital "look" question, I do agree they are different, and you'll definitely get certain looks, particularly if you go for a grainy image, with film you won't match as easily with digital.  Since I shoot mostly landscapes it is detail I am most interested in, so based upon your input, I'll probably mess a bit more with my v700 scanner to see if film holder adjustments help in any way.  It may be my sharpening settings in PS could also use some fine tuning.  I have to admit though, I can post process a lot of digital images a lot faster than scanning, cleaning and post processing from film, even when I'm very careful about pre-cleaning to eliminate as much dust from my film, my work area and my scanner as possible.  One thing I do hate abou the V700 is the glass is not readily removable.  Even in a clean no-smoking house, mine picks up a cloudy film pretty quickly and its a pain to take the unit apart to clean the inside of the glass, thus part of the reason I'm interested in input on the Hasselblad or other scanners.  But, I do worry about making too much more investment in film based work, as the population of film products continues to decline (assuming you don't count the eastern european films that are becoming available).

Someone raised the question regarding why I was straying away from DSLR's.  I have a d90 and I'm happy with the camera, its some of the Nikon lenses I'm not so thrilled with.  Most of my primes are probably 10-20 years old, and the 50 and the 28mm are two I really hate -- their images always look soft to me, compared to the sharpness and 3-d like quality I can easily extract from a Mamiya 645 AF or a Hassy (all tripod mounted).  Hassy's (V series) though, hate the desert south west.  Fine dust is always jamming up the gear mechanism on the film backs.  Just too open of a design, the same reason I'm very hesitant to consider a Leaf Aptus back.  Newer Nikon zooms are big step up in sharpness, but you sacrifice aperture and distortion.  I'm much happier with the results of MF primes, though I agree that some 35mm primes (like Leica, Zeiss) will have resolution values higher than their MF cousins.
 
The image, if I've posted this right, is about the limit of what I've managed to get from scanning 6x7 (note this is ress'ed down to 1024 pxls wide at 72 ppi).
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FredBGG

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #46 on: December 20, 2012, 02:02:35 am »

That is a lovely image... what a beautiful spot.
However you can get more detail form the v700.

A few suggestions. Scan at the highest native setting 6400 and then scale down in photoshop.
Also I suggest downloading the Silverfast software. You can download it in demo mode for free.

However if you are looking for the most detail you should look at getting a MFD camera or a Nikon d800e and replace the lenses you have.
Based on your comments regarding dust etc you should go for the Pentax 645D with it's better weather sealing
is more appropriate than the DF or Hasselblad H. The image quality beteween the Pentax and the D800 will be very very close with some
advantages to each. However the price difference is quite large.

The D90 is not anywhere close to the D800 or even the D600. The sensor in the D90 is a crop sensor so it is discarding much of your lenses resolution
angle of view. It has more dynamic range, less noise, better tonal resolution and is 36MP instead of 12mp. Compare the two in DXOMark

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/814%7C0/(brand)/Nikon/(appareil2)/439%7C0/(brand2)/Nikon

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JohnCox123

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #47 on: December 20, 2012, 04:43:54 am »

I would also recommend a digital solution, one of the great things about digital is you can stitch a panorama if you need a larger angel of view, or merge a HDR shot if there is too much contrast. You can do this with film but it becomes more difficult.
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yaya

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #48 on: December 20, 2012, 05:38:11 am »

...the same reason I'm very hesitant to consider a Leaf Aptus back.

The South West and the Middle East (where the Aptus is made) are very similar in terms of weather conditions ;)

In that regard, being able to remove the back and easily clean the IR filter is a plus...

Yair
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Yair Shahar | Product Manager | Phase One - Cultural Heritage
e: ysh@phaseone.com |

FredBGG

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #49 on: December 20, 2012, 11:39:56 pm »

Fine dust is always jamming up the gear mechanism on the film backs.  Just too open of a design, the same reason I'm very hesitant to consider a Leaf Aptus back.  

If it's getting in there it's getting into all sorts of nooks and crannies.
The fine dust is a real nightmare.
When I shoot in the deserts, especially the slat flats even the weather sealed gear is
put together at the hotel and wrapped in commercial kitchen plastic wrap.
Same thing at the beaches.

The leaf Aptus backs have cooling fans air and dust in air and a bit less dust out.
There is no weather seal between body and back in MFD.

Put the lens on the Pentax before you visit the dirt and leave it there.

How about this comparrison:

TWO Pentax 645D cameras                            $ 8,800 each
Standard lens (water resistant and weather sealed)    $ 1,200
24mm lens  (water resistant and weather sealed)       $ 5,000

Total  $23,000

One DF with IQ140 and standard lens (not weather sealed)  $ 26,000
Mamiya 28mm (not weather sealed)                                 $  5,000

Total $ 31,000   If you want the second camera the total is over $ 50,000

What would you want to shoot with in a dusty desert when a summer flash storm shows up?    

Or this guy uses the cameras..... ;)

http://youtu.be/Eo61t5fH6Qw        

Going Fishing anyone ;)

http://youtu.be/7wPD1wRpels      
« Last Edit: December 21, 2012, 12:07:19 am by FredBGG »
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FredBGG

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #50 on: December 21, 2012, 09:36:37 pm »

Has anyone done any comparisons of medium format backs vs. the Hasselblad scanners from medium format film?  I shoot many scenics and landscapes in 6x4.5, 6x6 or 6x7.  I currently use an Epson V700, but that scanner is not capable of shap scans to extract the full resolution of the film.  I like large enlargements, min 8x10, up to 24x36".  I tend to shoot more freely with a DSLR, but the image quality doesn't compare to my medium format work.  I'm wondering if I'm better off with a Hasselblad scanner than a medium format back...

Shot with a Fuji GX680 Plus-x-Pan 80mm 5.6 Scanned with the V750

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FredBGG

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #51 on: December 25, 2012, 05:19:54 pm »

Back to scanning with a digital camera.

Quick test with the D800 and a macro ring with the 85mm "scanning" a 6x8cm negative.

Exposing with the histogram nice an centered achieves very good tonality and the file can take quite a bit of adjustment
without artifacts. The really clean shadows of the D800 make for nice highlight tonality reproducing negatives.
The 85mm is not a macro and not optimized for macro at all... so the grain in the corners is not as crisp as the center.



Next step will be using A Fuji GX680 lens and two or four frame stitching For 60MP and 120MP "scans"
« Last Edit: December 25, 2012, 05:23:13 pm by FredBGG »
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julienlanoo

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #52 on: December 25, 2012, 05:24:45 pm »

I was discussing this on facebook ( by coincidence, ) to, so i did the test as i have both things..

Scanner is a 949 imacon at full reds

camera is a Arca swiss Rm3di Shneider 90mm apo digitar ( with some extra focusing rings to do macro), + Phase on P45
Light setup = translucid box with 2 speedlight flashes

Base is a 4x5 inch, made on a sinar and a Rodenstock 90 mm
For me the scanner still wins at 100%
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FredBGG

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #53 on: December 25, 2012, 06:09:23 pm »

Thanks Julien

That's a pretty good comparison.
The scanner is clearly way better.

Scanners effectively make hundreds and hundreds of stitches.
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #54 on: December 26, 2012, 01:53:38 am »

Hi,

I'm not really sure about what you mean by 100%, if you mean "actual pixels" I would say that the P45+ image is not sharp. All sharp P45+ images I have seen were really crisp. If you tried to scale the P45+ image to same scale as the 4x5" the difference would make more senses.

I got a small part of a Velvia 67 (from Mamiya 67) scanned at 10000 PPI from Tim Parkin, and at least MTF-wise it outperformed IQ180, so I am pretty sure that film has a lot to give if you scan well enough.

On the other hand, I would say that digital images are different.

When I tested my Pentax 67 with Ektar 100 vs my Sony Alpha I did a scan at 6096 PPI. The scan was made by Dominique Ventzke who had the following interesting comments:

"The Ektar neg was very interesting especially compared to the digital shot of your Alpha. In terms of resolution I think the 6x7 records much finer detail as long as there is enough contrast. But the digital is sharper when it comes to low contrast  textures and has higher micro contrast as can be seen in the wear and tear of the house walls. I was able to extract quite a bit of information from the highly saturated flowers. I don’t know how these flowers look like but to me the film image looks more real, three-dimensional and subtly detailed than the harsh pixelation of the Alpha image.

When you compare film and digital I think it’s not so much a matter of which is technically better in image quality. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. It’s not so black and white that you can say you need this many MP to match film in 6x7, 4x5” or 8x10”. To me the difference in the look of film based and sensor based photography is much more obvious. For example the open shadow detail and highlight rendition of color negative film corresponds very well with the way I see the world with my eyes. The grain however does not and yet it can look very pleasing. Film scales really well when you enlarge it. But the optical quality of the enlargement (enlarging lens or scanner) is a really important factor. You will start to see the grain already at moderate enlargements but it takes a really long stretch before the image falls apart. For example you can reduce the scans to 80 MP and still have a very good image quality on pixel level albeit at much lower microcontrast than a comparable MFD image."

I would say that Dominique's observations are pretty consistent with what I have seen.

Best regards
Erik



I was discussing this on facebook ( by coincidence, ) to, so i did the test as i have both things..

Scanner is a 949 imacon at full reds

camera is a Arca swiss Rm3di Shneider 90mm apo digitar ( with some extra focusing rings to do macro), + Phase on P45
Light setup = translucid box with 2 speedlight flashes

Base is a 4x5 inch, made on a sinar and a Rodenstock 90 mm
For me the scanner still wins at 100%
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Erik Kaffehr
 

julienlanoo

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #55 on: December 26, 2012, 07:43:28 am »

Yes it was actual pixels..

any way, i note also i spend 1h30 , setting up and focussing the thing, where i had to scan 15 minits to have a High ress scan..
i've tried f8, F16, F32 , the F16 was the best.. that's what i've shown..


greets
ju
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FredBGG

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #56 on: December 27, 2012, 03:02:56 pm »

I had an interesting chat with an engineer with a motion picture scanning company.
He told me that macro lenses just don't do the job well enough and to approach the qualities
of a drum scanner systems have to do three flash exposures and need to be heavily built systems
with precision thermal/humidity control and custom optics as well as 4 edge frame pressure plate.
In his opinion a repro stand with a still camera and macro lens however high end will only
be a high volume, but low quality scanning alternative. Great for volume documentation, but not a high
image quality system.
Some customized systems use dichroic filters and 9 monochrome exposures. Doing color balance analogically before
digitizing makes a significant difference.

Well it's back to scanners.
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Hasselblad Scanner vs medium format back
« Reply #57 on: January 02, 2013, 02:43:36 am »

Hi,

I made a quick test a couple of days ago, just photographing a projected 6x7 Velvia. I have published CCD and drum scans of the same slide on this thread.

I don't know what I think...

Putting the image on the light table and using a macro lens would give a better result. Although using a glass mount for the slide (GP) film flatness is an issue in projection.

I can post raw images later this week if anyone is interested.

Best regards
Erik

I had an interesting chat with an engineer with a motion picture scanning company.
He told me that macro lenses just don't do the job well enough and to approach the qualities
of a drum scanner systems have to do three flash exposures and need to be heavily built systems
with precision thermal/humidity control and custom optics as well as 4 edge frame pressure plate.
In his opinion a repro stand with a still camera and macro lens however high end will only
be a high volume, but low quality scanning alternative. Great for volume documentation, but not a high
image quality system.
Some customized systems use dichroic filters and 9 monochrome exposures. Doing color balance analogically before
digitizing makes a significant difference.

Well it's back to scanners.

« Last Edit: January 02, 2013, 02:48:19 am by ErikKaffehr »
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Erik Kaffehr
 
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