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How to Digitalize Film Negatives to Produce RAW Positive Image
Jul 24, 2021 07:14:36 #
I've digitalized a few precious color film negatives with my Nikon D850 to yield positive color photo files straight out of camera. However, these resulting positive photo files are all in JPEG format. I prefer to PP with RAW, so I'm seeking advice from our Hogger brain trust on how to get RAW positive images, instead, when I digitalize these film negatives. Is there a way to do it with in camera? Or do I need to shoot the film negative as a negative in RAW and then use a separate computer program to convert that file into a positive RAW? Thanks in advance.
NY
NY
Jul 24, 2021 07:21:09 #
sscnxy wrote:
I've digitalized a few precious color film negativ... (show quote)
I don't think you can do that in camera as it only do the JPEG. I think it's possible to use a program to do the conversion but I don't know such a program.
Jul 24, 2021 07:30:43 #
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Jul 24, 2021 07:58:34 #
sscnxy wrote:
...do I need to shoot the film negative as a negative in RAW and then use a separate computer program to convert that file into a positive RAW? Thanks in advance.
NY
NY
Almost.
You need to shoot the film negative as a negative in raw and then use a separate computer program (editor) to convert that file into a positive image file. You cannot write a raw file from a computer program. But you can convert a raw file of a negative to a positive image in some other format.
Jul 24, 2021 08:03:16 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
sscnxy wrote:
I've digitalized a few precious color film negativ... (show quote)
Others have posted here about using a macro/copy lens to capture negatives as raw files, then using PhotoShop or other readily available software to do the conversion. I have found that most of my negatives work fine using the in-camera function with proper lighting and correct white balance, along with some skillfully applied preprocessing adjustments in the camera's picture controls. There has always been plenty of room for a little bit of final adjustment, if necessary, even if the original negative was quite a bit out of whack.
Damaged or extremely faded or shifted negatives probably should just be captured as raw files and converted manually, but I've not yet encountered any that the camera could not handle with a little bit of guidance.
Jul 24, 2021 08:17:08 #
sscnxy wrote:
I've digitalized a few precious color film negativ... (show quote)
Your title did not say anything about using a Camera. Is there some reason you have not considered a Scanner? Scanners typically come with the software to scan and convert if need be all graphic art be it paper or film. Seem you are over thinking this.
I have used a digital camera to digitize black and white images, and color prints or transparencies. But for film negatives a scanner is best. I own two. Epson 500 Photo, Epson 850 Pro. You could use an Epson 600.
Jul 24, 2021 08:26:33 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
lamiaceae wrote:
Your title did not say anything about using a Camera. Is there some reason you have not considered a Scanner? Scanners typically come with the software to scan and convert if need be all graphic art be it paper or film. Seem you are over thinking this.
I have used a digital camera to digitize black and white images, and color prints or transparencies. But for film negatives a scanner is best. I own two. Epson 500 Photo, Epson 850 Pro. You could use an Epson 600.
I have used a digital camera to digitize black and white images, and color prints or transparencies. But for film negatives a scanner is best. I own two. Epson 500 Photo, Epson 850 Pro. You could use an Epson 600.
The D850 has an in-camera negative reversal function. It produces JPEGs of the positive images.
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Jul 24, 2021 09:01:39 #
larryepage wrote:
The D850 has an in-camera negative reversal function. It produces JPEGs of the positive images.
But only jpgs?
Jul 24, 2021 09:05:15 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
But only jpgs?
Yes the built in firmware of the D850 only does jpeg for that. So as far as I know there is no software that convert a negative raw to a positive raw. I do think one can write such a program. The raw file contains one 14 bit value for each pixel (or photosite whatyamacallit) and this value is linear that is it's directly proportional to the light intensity x duration. No gamma is applied as in TIFF or JPEG. So if the program takes each of these values and invert them it could turn it into a positive raw.
Jul 24, 2021 09:49:16 #
sscnxy wrote:
I've digitalized a few precious color film negativ... (show quote)
The latter, shoot in RAW and process on your computer like any RAW file.
Jul 24, 2021 10:29:23 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Yes the built in firmware of the D850 only does jp... (show quote)
I don't have a D850, but it sounds like it is part of the Retouch menu (inferred from my other Nikon bodies).
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Jul 24, 2021 12:15:45 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
DirtFarmer wrote:
I don't have a D850, but it sounds like it is part of the Retouch menu (inferred from my other Nikon bodies).
No. It is a dedicated function. It's actually accessed via the Live View function. Has options for copying transparencies or reversing negatives.
Jul 24, 2021 13:19:27 #
You can photograph the negs and then readily convert them in LR or Photoshop. In LR, you can easily create a preset to convert a photo in one click.
Jul 24, 2021 14:54:16 #
I wonder if you understand the concept of RAW! It is the digital output of a sensor and is unique to each sensor manufacturer and varies with model. It is not viewable without conversion using a CODEC. It usually has more digital depth (number of significant bits) than a typical JPG. If you have a scanner with 12 to 14 bit depth and it can output in TIFF or other non-lossy form, you would have something with as much detail as a RAW output from a camera.
Jul 24, 2021 16:29:37 #
sscnxy wrote:
I've digitalized a few precious color film negativ... (show quote)
Negative Lab Pro makes a plugin for converting color negatives for use in Lightroom:
https://www.negativelabpro.com
This plugin has been mentioned before by others here.
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