DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I expect this is an odd question. However, I'm trying to scan some old film negatives using a flatbed scanner with a film/slide holder in which the strips of 4 negatives have to fit inside guide clips at one end and marks on the side. Then a hinged part closes over them. The problem is that some of the film strips are curled across the narrow part so they won't lay flat. I've tried pressing them in a heavy book but that doesn't seem to be working. Does anyone know if they can be heated a bit before pressing or would that ruin the negative? Any advice would be appreciated.

EstherP

No, don't ever heat up negatives - you'll melt the gelatin layer (and you don't need a very high temperature to do that) and render your negative useless.
Same goes for wetting it - don't!

You don't say what scanner you have. I have an Epson V700 and it has the possibility to scan negatives in the holder or with a Film Area Guide directly on the glass plate of the flatbed. I have to indicate in the software dialogue box which method I want to use.
Of course the film won't stay flat on the glass plate either, but it will if you put the negatives down, then put another piece of glass over top before you scan.

On the piece of glass I use, I have put packing tape on the edges (the kind with glass fiber strings embedded in it). first time I used it, the scanner balked and gave me error messages about not being to find the film. Now I make sure the taped edges of the glass sit exactly on the Film Are Guide so that the scanner doesn't see them, and it works fine.

EstherP

andersland

Thanks Esther!

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Thanks Esther. The scanner is a Canoscan 4200F. It has the plate glass bed for scanning positive documents. To scan negatives and slides you remove the white plastic cover on the lid. Then it has a plastic holder that clips into the middle of the lid. The problem is that when you try to slide a curled film strip into the narrow area of the holder, the strip tends to still bulge out a bit. It would be helpful if there were cross pieces to hold it flat between each immage. On a particulary curly strip, the scan was distorted. I'm going to press it between the pages of a heavy dictionary for a few days to see if it flattens out.
Cheers
Deb

EstherP

I'm not familiar with that scanner.
But does the lamp in the lid work even without the negative holder?
If so, try and place a/several negative(s) directly on the flatbed, and cover with a separate piece of (clean) glass.
For just trying it, you could temporarily dismantle a picture frame.
If it works, enlarge the image(s) on your computer and see if they are still as sharp as the original. By not using the negative holder, you diminish the distance between the film and sensor, and this may be enough to make the images blurred.
Something else to look for, are Newton rings, a moiré pattern that you don't want. It is caused by the glass touching the negative. I have found though, that by moving the negative and the glass a bit, the Newton rings often disappear. I have no explanation for that.

Another way you might try out, is to use a plastice slice mount (if you can find one), that hinges on one side. It will mean scanning each negative separately, but the slide mount will at least help to hold the negative flat.

EstherP

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Thanks again Esther. I'll try some of your suggestions on my next session. I do have some of those plastic hinged slide mounts. What a good idea!

wrr Loc: SEK

did you scan them as is, curved, and not like the results?

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Most of the scans were fine. But one which looks clean and good on the lightbox, was significantly curved and the scan looked peculiar. I'm thinking it was because of the distortion caused by the curl. But maybe the negative is in fact deteriorated.