scanning 4x5 negs: I have hundreds of 4x5 negs I would like to scan into my computer but have been unsuccessful in getting quality through my tradition scanner which is really made for...

fotosteve Loc: Cincinnati,Oh

I have hundreds of 4x5 negs I would like to scan into my computer but have been unsuccessful in getting quality through my tradition scanner which is really made for prints and such. It is a canon mp620B. I feel I'm going about this process the wrong way. Can anyone help with suggestions?

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

I am guessing this is a flatbed scanner with All-In-One printing. When you place a print on the glass window and scan the print a lamp lights and the light sensitive element travels over the print. You need to create the same operation for a negative print.

If your negatives are all black & white you are lucky. (no color white balance problems)

Create a shadow template to cover the entire scanner bed window, cut a hole into the template the same size as your negatives. Turn off the scanner photo lamp, and use a standard table lamp to supply the light for the sensor on the scanner.

You need the scanner photo sensor to travel under the glass top and record the negative image while the table lamp is turned on.

fotosteve Loc: Cincinnati,Oh

Thank you. They are all B/W. I am confused as how to turn off the scanner lamp though. Please excuse my ignorance. And using a standard table lamp, is there a specific distance or is it trial and error.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

fotosteve wrote:

Thank you. They are all B/W. I am confused as how to turn off the scanner lamp though. Please excuse my ignorance. And using a standard table lamp, is there a specific distance or is it trial and error.

Turning off the scanner lamp should be found in your user manual, I can give you no additional information on that issue.

The distance and wattage are an experimental task. My best guess would be a desk lamp with a 60 Watt blub. Try it a few times and observe the "Preview Image" to get the right lighting.

Rember you need to create a template to hold the negative in plaace, and to shade the photo sensitive bar from bright light caused by the desk lamp.

MPratter Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I can't help you. When I use 4x5 film I have to make contact prints and scan them, my scanner only goes up to 120 film, but the reflective scanning covers it. Doesn't sound useful for you though.

Maybe forget scanning and get a light-box or light table, take digital pictures of the negatives, and invert?

SpiffyPhoto Loc: Southern Wisconsin

fotosteve wrote:

I have hundreds of 4x5 negs I would like to scan into my computer but have been unsuccessful in getting quality through my tradition scanner which is really made for prints and such. It is a canon mp620B. I feel I'm going about this process the wrong way. Can anyone help with suggestions?

Hi fotosteve .... I have a canon Canoscan 8800F scanner and it will do both negs and pictures ..... works great !!! ..... the price is somewhat steep at around $130 on pricegrabber.com ......

DonWauchope Loc: Brevard, NC

NOt certain about this; I know the Canoscan works great for 35mm slides and 120 film but 4x5? If it does this should be a great way to get really high-res images.

SpiffyPhoto Loc: Southern Wisconsin

DonWauchope wrote:

NOt certain about this; I know the Canoscan works great for 35mm slides and 120 film but 4x5? If it does this should be a great way to get really high-res images.

Hey my mistake ....... you are correct only 35mmm 120 & 220mm scans .... not 4x5 sorry I mis-spoke .....

fotosteve Loc: Cincinnati,Oh

Thank you all for your imput. I'm going to basically experiment w/ the information aquired and then I'll post a result in the form of an image. Thanks again.