Scanning negatives 6x6 - how to keep them flat while scanning

[rmargolis]

Hello everyone:

I purchased an Epson V550 scanner and have learned how to scan with the included software. Using the included negative holder from Epson, I have a problem scanning 6x6 negatives because the are curled from left to right. I have pressed them in a book and curled them in an opposite direction which has been marginally successful. I am using the small card that comes with the scanner to keep the lower edge down of the negative roll down. I am scanning 3 uncut negatives at once.

I am reluctant to buy a negative holder with ANR glass because it will be more surfaces to keep clean. However that may be the best solution.


Thank you for your help.

[Manfred M]

I am reluctant to buy a negative holder with ANR glass because it will be more surfaces to keep clean. However that may be the best solution.

Yes, they will curl, especially if you are trying to scan three negatives at once. It was challenging enough to keep a single negative flat in an enlarger. Sometimes a single negative holder worked and other times a glass holder was necessary. Getting the curl out of the negative stock is next to impossible as part of the cause is the gelatin emulsion which tends to absorb moisture from the air.

I assume you are referring ant-newton ring glass when you write ANR? Yes it works and is probably the only solution for severely curled negatives. Just be very careful to keep it clean and not touch the surface with your fingers as you can transfer the oil from them to the negatives and that will damage them. A blower and sable hair brush are usually good for cleaning off dust. Be careful to not scratch the negative.

[rmargolis]

Thanks for your response. I will purchase the negative holder. I am careful with negatives and dust however it is time consuming.

[Manfred M]

Thanks for your response. I will purchase the negative holder. I am careful with negatives and dust however it is time consuming.

Yes it is. I liked printing medium format because the dust was less noticeable than with 35mm film.

[pendennis]

I own a V850, and a bunch (1,000's) of 120/220 negatives/transparencies, and the included frames just don't keep them as flat as I like. I found this company on line, and purchased their solution, including the extra anti-Newton glass. The scans are much easier now. The holders aren't cheap, but the results are well worth it.

http://www.betterscanning.com/scanning/mainintro.html

[rmargolis]

Thank you. The film holder for which you provided the link is the one I have considered. I’ll go ahead and buy one. Which software are you using? Epson, Vue Scan or Silverfast?

[pendennis]

Thank you. The film holder for which you provided the link is the one I have considered. I’ll go ahead and buy one. Which software are you using? Epson, Vue Scan or Silverfast?

In a word, YES (to all three). I've found that there are sufficient differences in the algorithms of the software, to cause me to use Epson for flatbed scanning of photos, and I like Vue Scan and Silverfast for negatives and transparencies. The differences aren't huge, but I can see slight differences between Fuji transparencies scanned, and they seem to come out better with Silverfast. Kokak seems to scan better in Vue Scan.

I'm also a huge fan of Affinity. I use Photoshop Elements 2018, also.

Just a personal tic.

[rmargolis]

I use Lightroom for cataloging and for editing too. I don't do layering right now so don't use Photoshop. What do you like about Affinity? Have you used Lightroom?

Thanks, Roberta