joe_flippin Loc: Texan living in Brazil, SA

I have some very old negatives dating back into the 30's and 40's maybe even older that I am trying to print. I bought the Epson V500 but it will not take the negatives. How can I print them?

They are 5 1/2 by 3 1/4 and they are very dirty. How can I clean them? Can I use plain water or do I need to buy a special solution?

Thanks, Joe Flippin

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Wow! Don't even consider that! (Cleaning them) unless you are trained to do so.

crw24

Joe,

My experience converting old 35mm film strips into images for my photo files ... Some printers have a film strip holder (Epson) and program option to load a frame-at-a-time from the strip onto your desk top. I have a photo of it ... if you send me your e-mail address I'll be glad to send you the photo to see for yourself.
I have a Mac. For cleaning iPhoto has tools to clean and clear your negs. And, there's a little web site I use that's good for clean & sharpen – Ribbet.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Right! This sounds like a job for someone with experience. Do you know anyone with a darkroom? If you do, they probably have everything you need (including experience) to clean the negatives safely.

crw24

Apparently, you misunderstood about 'cleaning' negs.
The method I suggested, and that's all it is, does NOT include physically touching the negative. I 'clean' mine on screen using iPhoto tools.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Why won't the V500 scan them? I scan those sizes all the time, have even posted several here on the hog.
Just use the medium format mask (B), and scan them. Be sure to uncheck the "thumbnail" box as that will limit the scan size, and scan in Professional mode, it works amazingly well.

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

MT, I am at work so I cannot check my V500, but isn't there somewhere where you designate between document & transparency ?? Perhaps that is his problem ??

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

See:

http://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/prv5ph/prv5phug/scan2_4.htm

In professional mode you need to select film as the doc type and then the kind of negative (color, B&W etc..)

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Actually I did not:

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

Actually, crw24 didn't write that - it was the original poster, Joe, and I'm not sure if crw24 was really responding to your post but the one supporting yours ... happens when you don't quote reply sometimes.

Cheers

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Damn... My apologies crw24

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

That would be me. I only meant if they know anyone with a darkroom, they also know someone with a basin and the knowledge of how to soak, rinse and dry negatives.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

Yeah, I have the equipment (don't ask how that might have been acquired) but the knowledge is completely lost since the early 80's. The last I remember is trying to develop a some logo for offset printing and overdeveloped it into oblivion but that was with other equipment of higher caliber so I can't even shift blame.

As the original responder noted, "physically" cleaning negatives if they are of importance is best left to those who have experience in that area.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

NO, NO, NO!!!
Do not try to clean your negatives with any kind of liquid. Have it done by a professional.
What you perceive as dirt may not be dirt at all, but may be mold.
Dusting is OK, but do it very gently, preferably with an anti-static cloth. Also use an anti-static cloth to wipe off the inside of the lid and the glass plate of your scanner. Glass and negatives have secret dust-magnets built in !!!

I am a bit confused by your statement and question: "I bought the Epson V500 but it will not take the negatives. How can I print them?"
At the risk of getting my wrist slapped, you ARE aware that the V500 is a scanner and not a printer?

The film size this scanner will scan are 35mm slides and negatives, and medium format 6x12cm (2 1/2 x 5 inches appr.) - smaller than the negs you've got.

You don't say how many negatives you have, if there are not too many, it may be worth having them professionally scanned. If you have "boxes full" - it may be worth it to spend the extra money and get the Epson V700.
I looked up the V500 on-line, but can't see how the light in the lid is located. On my previous scanner, there was a stationary light in the lengthwise centre of the lid. In this V700 there is a light from side-to-side that moves along the length of the lid when scanning, just like the light in the bottom for reflective material does. It allows transparent material of any size up to almost the same size as the glass plate.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help than this.

joe_flippin Loc: Texan living in Brazil, SA

I have the Epson foto printer and the negatives are to big for it. I have tried to make a holder out of paper with no luck. I have a negative of a hanging on horseback with thr rope around the guys neck. There are some pretty awesome negatives. But at this point I can't print them. I need advice! Thanks in advance.