Don't get too sad. You can probably do it using the 120 holder rather than the 35mm. My point was made crudely, and it's only that it's not how it's intended to work out of the box.
So I tried out Lomography's new Lomo Lab, which was supposed to be this brand-new film developing and scanning service. You order online, they ship you envelopes, you mail it back and they send you an email with your scans.
I sent off two rolls of film and received notification of the first this morning. They look great!
Now, the question is: WTF happened to this service on their website? I can't find evidence that it ever existed anymore, and it's been less than a month. Maybe I lost my Google-fu, but maybe it already tanked.
Also, I thought I was going to receive my physical negatives in the mail, but they haven't mentioned it. Their customer service is dismal, but I'll ask and we'll see. I'm also missing the second roll that I mailed in.
I wouldn't really recommend this service, but what else is a girl gonna do while she's waiting for Amazon to deliver her scanner?
Harumph.
What kind of scanner did you wait for and did it do you any good with Perfekt panorama negatives?
I did receive my scanner and I got initial positive results the first session. This is print scan vs negative scan:
However, subsequent scans with the Epson V500 showed:
1) 1/3 of the time the scanner could not recognize that I had a negative in there, nor could it figure out how many frames I had in the holder. And I cannot find any sort of "manual" mode anywhere in the software. WTF!
2) 1/3 of the time the scanner plays dead and the software cannot detect a scanner at all. Even after a dozen reboots/cooling off/curse/get-another-beverage sessions, etc. WTF!
3) 1/3 of the time the scans I do get have horrible stripes that don't shift even when I flip the negative. WTF!!!
I'm pretty pissed right now, so I will wait until I chill out a bit before making a rational decision. But I'm 85% sure the v500 is getting shipped back to Amazon.
I did receive my scanner and I got initial positive results the first session. This is print scan vs negative scan:
...
However, subsequent scans with the Epson V500 showed:
1) 1/3 of the time the scanner could not recognize that I had a negative in there, nor could it figure out how many frames I had in the holder. And I cannot find any sort of "manual" mode anywhere in the software. WTF!
2) 1/3 of the time the scanner plays dead and the software cannot detect a scanner at all. Even after a dozen reboots/cooling off/curse/get-another-beverage sessions, etc. WTF!
3) 1/3 of the time the scans I do get have horrible stripes that don't shift even when I flip the negative. WTF!!!
I'm pretty pissed right now, so I will wait until I chill out a bit before making a rational decision. But I'm 85% sure the v500 is getting shipped back to Amazon.
Using the Epson software look for a "Mode" dropdown and select "Professional Mode". This should give you access to all of the manual settings.
VueScan is much, much better software, and you can download a trial version to make sure it is compatible with your system:
So far, VueScan works great! My only complaint today is that the WB of color scans look way off, but I'm sure I can fix that in post. It's just a shame for when I start shooting with nice film like Portra and Ektar that already come with great skin tones, etc.
Wrestling with my negatives tonight has raised a couple of questions I never asked before:
1) Is it recommended that one wear gloves when handling film? Even trying to be careful, I see fingerprints.
2) It's best to cut and sleeve film, yes? Most of my labs has just rolled them up and stuck 'em in a box, but that sucks for scanning (and storing).
So far, VueScan works great! My only complaint today is that the WB of color scans look way off, but I'm sure I can fix that in post. It's just a shame for when I start shooting with nice film like Portra and Ektar that already come with great skin tones, etc.
Wrestling with my negatives tonight has raised a couple of questions I never asked before:
1) Is it recommended that one wear gloves when handling film? Even trying to be careful, I see fingerprints.
2) It's best to cut and sleeve film, yes? Most of my labs has just rolled them up and stuck 'em in a box, but that sucks for scanning (and storing).
To make it easier to color balance and white balance later include a color target in an image frame. You can even automate the process if you wish but just including the target whenever you have a WB change will help by giving you some standards. Once you establish your standards corrections you should be able to use your correction process by the nature of the ambient light and particular film type, without necessarily needing a color target each time (as long as you can recognize the type of ambient light).
If you don't have a color target, use your own palm-of-your-hand. You should be able to use your palm and hand as a basic starting point for color correction and, because it is 3-dimensional, you generally get a pretty good target for mixed WB too.
Gloves are a very good idea for handling film. If you do handle film without gloves just be careful to touch only the edges to avoid leaving visible fingerprints and smudges. Cotton gloves tend to leave lint particles and strands so the newer microfiber gloves are best. Also, don't use hand lotion or other emollients for your hands and wash your hands often. If you touch your face or scratch an itch, it's best to wash your hands again.
If you should see fingerprints and finger smudges on critical image frames it's fairly important to remove them before they cause permanent damage. When in doubt, contact the film manufacturer and follow their recommendations.
If you are sure that you will continue to use a particular scanner/scanning process, then cut your film to strip lengths as long as your negative holders/carriers allow.
Thanks, Ziggy! You're full of great info. It sounds like I will have to experiment with the WB. In layman's terms, how does a "color target" work? Like, do I slip in a piece of plain paper into the end of the holder or something?
I would assume that scanning your hand would leave significant marks on the glass...
I didn't play with Vuescan enough to know if this will work in that program or not, but on each roll you should have an area of completely unexposed and completely overexposed negative. You could set your black/white points to that. This would force them to neutral.
Vuescan should have profiles for the different film stocks, though, and should get the WB really close, I would think.
Thanks, Ziggy! You're full of great info. It sounds like I will have to experiment with the WB. In layman's terms, how does a "color target" work? Like, do I slip in a piece of plain paper into the end of the holder or something?
I would assume that scanning your hand would leave significant marks on the glass...
For instance, you could purchase a Kodak color target like this:
Basically you can also just photograph the color target (yes, I know it's not quite right for this task) and then use VueScan and Photoshop and its color sampling capabilities to get back to these colors. When you can create a print with basically the same colors as the target you can say that you have achieved a level of color control. It won't probably be perfect and you cannot trust your monitor, but you can trust the Photoshop color samplers and correct by the numbers.
A million thanks again to both of you for all of your help getting me oriented with this. I tried both VueScan and SilverFast over the weekend and I am definitely going to go with VueScan. The UI was super-easy to follow and I can get pretty accurate WB with it after digging through their advanced settings. I can't even figure out how SilverFast works, because it's so unbelievably confusing in both language and UI.
I'm pretty happy so far. You guys should earn Epson referral credits.
A lot can happen in a month: I got my Rolleiflex back and it's in perfect working condition, clean glass. (Now all I have to do is find a replacement strap that has not-oft-used scissor clips) I figured out the problem I was having with my default scanner software so I've been using whatever comes with the Epson.
Lookin' good. Film-to-digital has quite a steep learning curve and I hope it's not just a false sense of security thinking I've passed the hardest part.
A lot can happen in a month: I got my Rolleiflex back and it's in perfect working condition, clean glass. (Now all I have to do is find a replacement strap that has not-oft-used scissor clips) I figured out the problem I was having with my default scanner software so I've been using whatever comes with the Epson.
Lookin' good. Film-to-digital has quite a steep learning curve and I hope it's not just a false sense of security thinking I've passed the hardest part.
Sheesh Steph,
These shots are breathtaking. So freakin airy!
The technical aspects of photography...as you are aware...are great to know. A sense of artistry....style...well....I think THAT trumps the science of photography any day. The unknowns will be known over time. Still though...right away , you got some good lookin shots.
Thanks, Jeff, that means a lot coming from you! Composing for the square is sometimes challenging, and so is keeping things level. Even with the grid lines in the viewfinder, the act of pressing the button can really skew things.
I can't wait to take this out and shoot lots more and play around with different films, too. Have you taken your Yashica out for a spin?
How do I insert a photograph in my reply? I copied my photo url from Picasa but when I log in here there is no option to paste. One bump after another.
The important thing to me about panorama shots is that you can tell more than one story in a picture. The B17 in the background was destroyed by fire the day after I took this shot.
Color on the other hand I am zeroing in on. At this point I'm happy to have acquisition material to work with.
The important thing to me about panorama shots is that you can tell more than one story in a picture. The B17 in the background was destroyed by fire the day after I took this shot.
Color on the other hand I am zeroing in on. At this point I'm happy to have acquisition material to work with.
Yes, color is tough, as my posts in this thread attest!
Hey Chuck, I get text gibberish when I click that link but I'm eager to see what you're coming up with.
How do you store your negatives if they're not cut?
I cut them myself and put them is sleeves. I can't expect the over worked person at the grocery store to do a correct cut. I make sure I have an empty film canister to give them for the developed roll.
I shoot film using my Canon AE-1 and my Mamiya 645 AFD. i like film a lot beacause of the wider dynamic range it can contain but i do love my 5D2 & 50D as well. i usually sned my films thru our local lab in town and i just scan them thru my Epson V500.
Comments
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Chuck, Schmoo isn't shooting with the Perfekt. So far it's just you and me. I also don't believe that she's received her scanner yet, anyway.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
However, subsequent scans with the Epson V500 showed:
1) 1/3 of the time the scanner could not recognize that I had a negative in there, nor could it figure out how many frames I had in the holder. And I cannot find any sort of "manual" mode anywhere in the software. WTF!
2) 1/3 of the time the scanner plays dead and the software cannot detect a scanner at all. Even after a dozen reboots/cooling off/curse/get-another-beverage sessions, etc. WTF!
3) 1/3 of the time the scans I do get have horrible stripes that don't shift even when I flip the negative. WTF!!!
I'm pretty pissed right now, so I will wait until I chill out a bit before making a rational decision. But I'm 85% sure the v500 is getting shipped back to Amazon.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Using the Epson software look for a "Mode" dropdown and select "Professional Mode". This should give you access to all of the manual settings.
VueScan is much, much better software, and you can download a trial version to make sure it is compatible with your system:
http://www.hamrick.com/
From the site:
"VueScan 9 x32 runs on Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OS X 10.3.9+ and most Linux distributions.
VueScan 9 x64 runs on Windows 7 x64, Windows Vista x64, Windows XP x64, Mac OS X 10.5+ and 64-bit Linux."
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
I'm sure I'll be reporting back shortly...
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Wrestling with my negatives tonight has raised a couple of questions I never asked before:
1) Is it recommended that one wear gloves when handling film? Even trying to be careful, I see fingerprints.
2) It's best to cut and sleeve film, yes? Most of my labs has just rolled them up and stuck 'em in a box, but that sucks for scanning (and storing).
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
To make it easier to color balance and white balance later include a color target in an image frame. You can even automate the process if you wish but just including the target whenever you have a WB change will help by giving you some standards. Once you establish your standards corrections you should be able to use your correction process by the nature of the ambient light and particular film type, without necessarily needing a color target each time (as long as you can recognize the type of ambient light).
If you don't have a color target, use your own palm-of-your-hand. You should be able to use your palm and hand as a basic starting point for color correction and, because it is 3-dimensional, you generally get a pretty good target for mixed WB too.
Gloves are a very good idea for handling film. If you do handle film without gloves just be careful to touch only the edges to avoid leaving visible fingerprints and smudges. Cotton gloves tend to leave lint particles and strands so the newer microfiber gloves are best. Also, don't use hand lotion or other emollients for your hands and wash your hands often. If you touch your face or scratch an itch, it's best to wash your hands again.
If you should see fingerprints and finger smudges on critical image frames it's fairly important to remove them before they cause permanent damage. When in doubt, contact the film manufacturer and follow their recommendations.
If you are sure that you will continue to use a particular scanner/scanning process, then cut your film to strip lengths as long as your negative holders/carriers allow.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Glad to hear it's working out otherwise!
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I would assume that scanning your hand would leave significant marks on the glass...
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Vuescan should have profiles for the different film stocks, though, and should get the WB really close, I would think.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
For instance, you could purchase a Kodak color target like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/163309-REG/Kodak_1907914__Q_60R2_Target_5x7_Endura.html
... photograph the target in the lighting of your subject, then create a custom profile and workflow for VueScan:
http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/html/vuesc18.htm
Basically you can also just photograph the color target (yes, I know it's not quite right for this task) and then use VueScan and Photoshop and its color sampling capabilities to get back to these colors. When you can create a print with basically the same colors as the target you can say that you have achieved a level of color control. It won't probably be perfect and you cannot trust your monitor, but you can trust the Photoshop color samplers and correct by the numbers.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
I'm pretty happy so far. You guys should earn Epson referral credits.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Lookin' good. Film-to-digital has quite a steep learning curve and I hope it's not just a false sense of security thinking I've passed the hardest part.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Indeed.
Glad you got the kinks worked out!
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
:hide
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Sheesh Steph,
These shots are breathtaking. So freakin airy!
The technical aspects of photography...as you are aware...are great to know. A sense of artistry....style...well....I think THAT trumps the science of photography any day. The unknowns will be known over time. Still though...right away , you got some good lookin shots.
Now....point me to some more rolly shots!
Jeff
-Need help with Dgrin?; Wedding Photography Resources
-My Website - Blog - Tips for Senior Portraiture
I can't wait to take this out and shoot lots more and play around with different films, too. Have you taken your Yashica out for a spin?
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Pictures | Website | Blog | Twitter | Contact
I think this is a link to one of my photos.
How do I insert a photograph in my reply? I copied my photo url from Picasa but when I log in here there is no option to paste. One bump after another.
Instructions for embedding here.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Color on the other hand I am zeroing in on. At this point I'm happy to have acquisition material to work with.
MOD EDIT (embedded image):
How do you store your negatives if they're not cut?
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Yes, color is tough, as my posts in this thread attest!
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
By the way I don't know if anyone else reading this is interested, but I just noticed this in the Lomography shop:
http://usa.shop.lomography.com/accessories/accessory-best-sellers/lomography-digitaliza-120
Anyone heard about this? Or even better yet, have you used it?
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
I shoot film using my Canon AE-1 and my Mamiya 645 AFD. i like film a lot beacause of the wider dynamic range it can contain but i do love my 5D2 & 50D as well. i usually sned my films thru our local lab in town and i just scan them thru my Epson V500.
some samples i have;
Canon AE-1 & Fuji Reala 100:
Fujicolor Reala 100 by Chris Odchigue | Photography, on Flickr
Mamiya 645AFD & Kodak 400TX:
My kids in Medium Format by Chris Odchigue | Photography, on Flickr
“There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.”