Scanning 100 year old B&W negatives

[CBBN]

As a trustee for a local historical society, I have discovered a trove of original negatives dating from 1895-1915.  They are an odd size, approximately 4”x6”, and I would like to have them all carefully scanned.  There are plusses and minuses to various types of  scanning, so I’m wondering what the preferred method for old  negatives is... They aren’t particularly fragile, but they are one of a kind.


Drum Scanning: This involves dipping the negative or transparency into an quick evaporating liquid before wrapping it on the scanner drum?  I would be worried about the liquid damaging the one-of-a-kind negatives.  

Flat bed scanning: Occasionally, flat-bed scanning yields a moiré pattern, caused by the surface of the film not being in perfect contact with the surface of the scanner, so I’m not sure this is the best method.

Glassless scanning:  I've used an Imacon, which bends the negative into a special holder for scanning, without liquids, and without any direct contact.  This seems on the surface to offer the best possibilities.

Your thoughts would be most welcome.  Many thanks, in advance!

[nik]

After reading your concerns, the only solution I see is going with a flatbed solution from creo (now kodak) or dainippon. They both do an A3+ scanner, have wet mount options, anti-newton glass to kill the moire, a uniform scanning resolution across the WHOLE surface and fantastic software to do batches and "scan while you work" options. They are also very fast and affordable on the secondhand market, just google bob weber scanners, they normally have flatbeds. The dianipon you want is the cezanne 5500 or 5000, the creo you want is the IQ eversmart II and III series. As far as I know imacon can't do a trannie bigger than 4x5"m at least not the 848 that I rent.

The only downside is that these scanners are HUGE and heavy and need a solid, stable work surface.

Good luck!

-Nik

As a trustee for a local historical society, I have discovered a trove of original negatives dating from 1895-1915.  They are an odd size, approximately 4”x6”, and I would like to have them all carefully scanned.  There are plusses and minuses to various types of  scanning, so I’m wondering what the preferred method for old  negatives is... They aren’t particularly fragile, but they are one of a kind.
Drum Scanning: This involves dipping the negative or transparency into an quick evaporating liquid before wrapping it on the scanner drum?  I would be worried about the liquid damaging the one-of-a-kind negatives. 

Flat bed scanning: Occasionally, flat-bed scanning yields a moiré pattern, caused by the surface of the film not being in perfect contact with the surface of the scanner, so I’m not sure this is the best method.

Glassless scanning:  I've used an Imacon, which bends the negative into a special holder for scanning, without liquids, and without any direct contact.  This seems on the surface to offer the best possibilities.

Your thoughts would be most welcome.  Many thanks, in advance!
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[BobDavid]

After reading your concerns, the only solution I see is going with a flatbed solution from creo (now kodak) or dainippon. They both do an A3+ scanner, have wet mount options, anti-newton glass to kill the moire, a uniform scanning resolution across the WHOLE surface and fantastic software to do batches and "scan while you work" options. They are also very fast and affordable on the secondhand market, just google bob weber scanners, they normally have flatbeds. The dianipon you want is the cezanne 5500 or 5000, the creo you want is the IQ eversmart II and III series. As far as I know imacon can't do a trannie bigger than 4x5"m at least not the 848 that I rent.

The only downside is that these scanners are HUGE and heavy and need a solid, stable work surface.

Good luck!

-Nik
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My specialty is photo restoration. I encounter this issue at least once a week. Please feel free to drop me a line at: [email protected]

[mcbroomf]

The Imacon can't go much wider than 4" but it can scan to nearly 10".   you can get a custom holder made by Imacon to hold you 4x6 negs.  I contacted them at one time when I had a 646 about a holder for 4x10 chromes/negs and they said they could make one.

[KAP]

My specialty is photo restoration. I encounter this issue at least once a week. Please feel free to drop me a line at: [email protected]
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I scanned lots of glass negs on a Microtek with good results, not as impressive as the Creo's etc, but 1/10th the cost.
Fuji also did a good A3 scanner with an x y lens system.

Kevin.

[mcfoto]

Hi
Try out the Epson V700 photo scanner, I own one & it is fantastic. Check out this review

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interacti...V700/page_1.htm

[Chris_Brown]

They are an odd size, approximately 4”x6”, and I would like to have them all carefully scanned.

I have scanned 100-year old negs and 60-year old Kodachromes on my drum scanner. The mounting fluid I use is non-volatile to any silver-based emulsions. The weak link in scanning any ancient films is the gelatin emulsion -- it get brittle. Cleaning the film -- both before or after scanning -- can be tricky, but is very important.

I suggest you contact Aztek. They will know who to contact in your area and which of mounting and cleaning chemicals they sell are safe. (No, I'm not one of their agents but they help maintain my equipment.)

As for which is best, PMT drum or CCD flatbed, that argument still burns strong as film use declines.