Scanning Old Negatives

B

BrynBoru

Guest
I've found some old (50 years +) film colour negatives which are 57mm square image size, marked as "Safety Film" with a Kodak logo. They have been cut into pairs approximately 127 x 62 mm. I have no idea what type of camera produced these back in the 1960s.
I've tried to scan them on an Epson V370 but the results are dismal and not sharp, using just the flat bed white plate. Also I've been unable in Lightroom to convert the image to its full colour, as so far I've only managed a B&W version.
I realise the V370 is very limited but before I think about sending them off to a lab, I'd appreciate some advice before I give up on the V370.
 
These negatives are from a camera that probably takes 120 size film. Could be anything from a Hasselblad, Rolliflex or similar. If it's from the 60's it could either the original Kodacolor film or Ektacolor Professional film. If you can find anything on the edge print it might help. Ektacolor Professional film will have the edge print CPS. As far as scanning is concerned you'll need a transmission scanner to get anything decent. Also the orange mask won't help so a scanner that will handle negative film would be ideal.
 
I don't know the V370. I use a V500 for negatives. It does a great job.

But, according to this, you should be able to scan negatives with it. Are you using it correctly?
 
Chappers said:
Also the orange mask won't help so a scanner that will handle negative film would be ideal.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response. I'll check out transmission scanners as I'm not familiar with the term.
simon ess said:
Are you using it correctly?
Click to expand...
I've often scanned both 35mm slides and 35mm negative film in the V370, but the problem with these 120 negatives is that there is no holder in the V370 that would hold them as the 35mm slides are held. It would seem that laying them flat on the platen is no good.
Maybe I have to look into using a rigged up DSLR?
 
From what I've read, it seems to me that the v370 will only scan 35mm film and not larger sizes. The specs mention only 35mm film, and the YouTube video I just glanced at appeared to show only a narrow strip for film scanning.

Possibly this might be better in Film and Conventional. Certainly I can recall removing the orange cast being discussed there not too long ago.
 
schpleep said:
Cut into pairs? Is each pair the same image? Are they stereo images?

Also, a quick google threw up this Flickr thread regarding MF on V370s: https://www.flickr.com/groups/1515817@N25/discuss/72157625226726281/
Click to expand...
No, not stereos. Thanks for the link.
Eloise said:
Are https://petapixel.com/2012/12/23/wh...our-film-using-a-camera-instead-of-a-scanner/ and https://petapixel.com/2012/12/24/how-to-scan-your-film-using-a-digital-camera-and-macro-lens/ of any use to you? An alternative to using a scanner.
Click to expand...
Yes, thanks, I;ve already come across this and it's maybe the best way to go, rather than investing in a new scanner for a limited requirement.
 
How many do you have peter? It may be worth contracting out rather than building a copy rig for just a few negs.
 
RaglanSurf said:
How many do you have peter? It may be worth contracting out rather than building a copy rig for just a few negs.
Click to expand...
Just one reel of the 120s, but I have a lot of old B&W negatives of all sorts of sizes as well as any number of 35mm slides and film and 110 slides. There doesn't seem to be much to using a DSLR, so I'm going to check that out. The set-up in this doesn't use any rig other than a light screen and the appropriate lens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top