phkowalchuk Loc: Aurora, CO

I have an opportunity to sell a portfolio I created years ago of the businesses of the town I grew up in with their proprietors...in kind of an "American Gothic" pose. I have 51 645-format black and white negatives I want to scan to higher quality than I have now (scans I made on a flatbed Epson). My options are a drum scan @4000dpi by a pro or a Nikon 8000 that scans up to 4K dpi. The drum scans are heavily discounted for volume and for me doing any cleanup, but still more than $500. The Nikon scanner is $100 for a day rental. I've had drum scans done of large format negs (4x10) when I've had the opportunity to sell very large prints or to make some for myself, but never small negs for not-so-large prints (12x7). I will appreciate any help, thoughts, counsel from any UHHers with experience in this area. Many thanx in advance!
Peter

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

I'd do the drum scan, and retain copyright for future enlargements past this project, doesn't sound like it would be easy to re-create them, so they are one of a kind. Pass along the scan price into your price... You will never have to scan them in again, and they will look their very best, allow the largest enlargement.

You are asking for newton patterns on that Nikon scanner that will drive you nuts and take a lot of time. 645 should enlarge quite well... you'll spend next to zero time dealing with scan issues that may not even be fixable. How flat are they?

phkowalchuk Loc: Aurora, CO

The negs are quite flat, they've been stored with the weight of many other neg strips on them for more than 30 years.

I'm inclined to go with the drum as well, but I never appreciated the point you brought up about the newton rings. Many thanx!

Now on to the drum scanner!

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Newton rings can be un-noticeable, I get them when trying to scan slides in contact with glass. On drum scans, they put some sort of oil/liquid to prevent this… You are looking at $500 worth of work in any case. And, well, one of those deals where you pay someone else to do them!

Get them done fast and efficiently and go on to other stuff… LOL And in fact, $500 for drum scans is an excellent price, I have paid $125 for one 4x5- but that was a rip-off, but did include full size iris-proofs. .. but I was in a bad situation time-wise/ enlargement requirements. I have not rewarded them with more work, so I hope they enjoyed that weenie pay-day.

phkowalchuk Loc: Aurora, CO

Thanx for the help. I've made the decision to go with the drum scans. The guy I will use has made very large prints for me in the past and is very very good. I was just wondering if the Nikon scanner would save me some $$$. But, in this case, I think it would be more a penny saved is a penny wasted, not earned. Thanx again.