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03/01/2007 09:44:52 AM · #1 |
Sorry if this has already been discussed somewhere, i searched but didn't find anything useful.
Well the subject pretty much says it all, how do i turn 35mm film negs into fullsize printable pictures on my pc? |
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03/01/2007 09:45:57 AM · #2 |
| i am not sure but if you use the invert layer in photoshop would that do it? |
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03/01/2007 09:52:07 AM · #3 |
You need a scanner that can scan negatives. They have built-in software tools to scan negative-to-positive. You can scan a B/W negative as-is and invert it in PS, but ASFAIK that doesn't work perfectly with color negatives, which have that pesky base orange cast. Still, I'm sure there's software out there that will make the conversion for you on the PC.
The real problem is actually physically scanning the negative, which has to be done with projected light through the negative to get it right; you can't just lay the neg down on a flatbed scanner. I have this little right-angle mirror thingie that came with my HP scanner that lets me scan slides decently enough, but the results aren't anywhere near as good as a professional scan. You have to have really high resolution and perfect alignment to do a negative/slide full justice.
Maybe something new has come along, but that's where it was at a few years ago when last I fiddled with it.
R.
//photography.about.com/library/howto/htdig_negscan.htm
Message edited by author 2007-03-01 14:53:43.
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03/01/2007 09:52:59 AM · #4 |
Do you have a scanner available that will give decent resolution? That's the first step. Careful not to blow highlights, unless you want blocked-up shadows in those areas on the final product (sometimes you do...). Remember what's highlight on the negative will be shadow on the final photo, and vice versa. That means any shadow noise on the scan will show up as noise in the highlights... yuck. A noise-free scan is important.
Once you've scanned it in, then pull it into your editor and invert (Image>Adjustments>Invert in Photoshop). You may have to correct color balance, contrast and black & white points after inversion.
Edit: Robert has correctly brought up the color cast you'll get from the negative base stock. Some scanning software is able to correct for this automatically, but it may not be worth buying software, depending on how many negatives you need to scan.
Message edited by author 2007-03-01 14:54:43. |
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03/01/2007 09:53:55 AM · #5 |
| Get a film scanner if you want good quality results. My boyfriend seems pretty happy with his Nikon Coolscan V ED, which handles both negatives and slides. They cost a lot more than a flatbed scanner, but the results are quite impressive. |
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03/01/2007 09:57:18 AM · #6 |
Here's an older tutorial that shows the steps you will need to go through in a very simplified form; a good introduction. But of course you have to have a film scanner as your starting point:
//www.computer-darkroom.com/tutorials/tutorial_6_1.htm
R.
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03/01/2007 10:01:16 AM · #7 |
I don't really want to buy a neg scanner as i don't have enough negs to make it financialy viable, and i don't intend on doing much film work in the future as it stands at the min. I think most of them are black and white aswell, so that sounds like it would make my life easier.
Maybe i'll just have to buy a better scanner and see what the result is? |
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03/01/2007 10:01:58 AM · #8 |
| You can also get the scan done commercially. Not sure where you are located, but here's one that does good work in the SF Bay Area. I'm sure there are similar outfits near wherever you are located, if you don't want to take the chance of getting negs lost in the mail. |
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03/01/2007 10:07:32 AM · #9 |
A photo CD can be had at most places that offer film processing. Be sure to get the highest resolution as possible. A professional photo lab would be the best place to start.
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03/01/2007 10:12:36 AM · #10 |
Ive seen flatbed scanners scan negatives and edited to images sucessfully. Nothing beats a pro negative scanner but most scanners that come with transparency kits and consumer film scanners scan at 4000+ DPI.
If you flatbed can scan at 3600 or 4800 Optical DPI i would see about a transaprency kit. Or find someone who can scan it for you.
Message edited by author 2007-03-01 15:13:07. |
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03/01/2007 10:18:26 AM · #11 |
You could also get a decent print made (5x7 or 8x10) and scan that at high resolution on a regular scanner.
For the best results get a professional drum scan -- probably about $20-30. You might check with commercial offset printers in your area to see who they get to do that. |
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03/01/2007 10:21:38 AM · #12 |
I have had great success with this scanner. And you can get it cheap.
Epson 4490 Perfection |
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06/22/2007 09:15:05 AM · #13 |
Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated
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