Hi all. I have a stack of film negs 35mm - the prints are in some cases lost a long time ago you know the story.
I would really like to capture the negs digitally and re-build my 'old' photo library. So need advice on what to buy (I really do have a lot of negs!) and have seen something advertised at the local computer store but it looks to low key for my needs. Said something about converts to 5mp .. hmm that's not what I think I am after.
I read somewhere about Epson having negs scanners. So guys and girls advice please what should I be looking to buy. Bear in mind that I am in S. Africa so my choice might be a little limited and our rands don't stretch too far!!
Looking forward to your advice and recoomendations.
I would seriously consider getting the negatives scanned by a bureau. Prices are very cheap now and good slide / film scanners are not. Even with ICE it takes ages retouching each shot.
Buy a lightbox and loupe to look through the negs first of all, before scanning.
I use a Canoscan 8800F; tailor made for scanning negatives, slides and prints. All of the film shots in my albums have been scanned with this, most recently this one: http://365project.org/grizzlysghost/the-projects/2012-08-28 Search photo tag "aa-film" for more examples.
@grizzlysghost wow that is superb shot and clarity Aaron.... I'll investigate a bit on this side of the globe. @godders thanks Paul I like fiddling and the task of sorting through and sending to a bureau to do fills me with horror.. I am disorganised. .but the thought of being able to do this at my own speed and at the same time relive the memories is more appealing... I know I'm odd :-)
Thank you both for advice I really appreciate you sharing ..
Ah, good to know. I've been looking at scanners off and on for some time now. the 8800F is no longer available but there is a new 9000. Very good reviews. Two day free shipping if you order through amazon.com. Mine is in. Thanks @grizzlysghost for the recommendation.
I needed one a couple of years ago just to scan old family pictures from negitives and slides. They weren't works of art by any means, but I wanted them digitized. I bought the Epson Perfection V300. It wasn't fancy or super expensive, but it served it's purpose well and I have no complaints.
My recommendation is get a specialist neg scanner, you know the long cigarette carton shaped one, not the flat bed scanner with a neg holder one. Oh, and the made in china plastic ones that look like a speaker with the neg slider sticking out both sides, they're pretty pap. I get all my negs scanned for me, and I must admit, when I need to rescan them I do use a cheapo made in china one. But if I had loads I'd invest in a proper one.
@chewyteeth Dave, over here our "chain camera store" scans them at half the dpi of what my affordable scanner does. The store that only does film printing and photo restoration has one that far exceeds my affordability. I have learned so much on this project.
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Buy a lightbox and loupe to look through the negs first of all, before scanning.
@godders thanks Paul I like fiddling and the task of sorting through and sending to a bureau to do fills me with horror.. I am disorganised. .but the thought of being able to do this at my own speed and at the same time relive the memories is more appealing... I know I'm odd :-)
Thank you both for advice I really appreciate you sharing ..
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=epson+perfection+v300&sprefix=epson+perfe%2Caps%2C319
The newer models might be even better, I don't know. Good luck!
My recommendation is to get the highest DPI that you can afford. This one actually has a higher dpi than the local chain crap camera store. My specialty camera store has much higher than this.
I also develop my own film so it has proven quite handy
someone in my camera club advised this one as i put the question to him last month
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-Perfection-Scanner-6400dpi-Density/dp/B000VYYSEE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=LJVYFS2NR5XD&coliid=I1IK783NCS628V