Photographic Question

[Bruce]

Can anybody help with this question.

I recently met a lad that I started my motorcycling many years ago at school and I have not seen him for almost 30 years.All those years ago I was a keen photographer (in Black and White) and I have a large amount of negatives from those days that I would like to reprint.Whilst I still have an enlarger and the tanks I do not wish to spend a lot of time in my bathroom or kitchen with chemical tanks.

Is it possible to get a scanner or a program that will enable me to use my overgrown calculator to reproduce prints from the negatives.

[guest7]

A good reprographic outlet might have the ability to do this, I know some larger photocopy machines could handle slides over 15 years ago and a neg is only a small step away from that.

Cheers
GC

[Steve H]

You can get specialist scanners like this http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/237410/art/plustek/opticfilm-7200-usb-2-0-fi.html#fichetechnique

[Richard 003]

Can anybody help with this question.

I recently met a lad that I started my motorcycling many years ago at school and I have not seen him for almost 30 years.All those years ago I was a keen photographer (in Black and White) and I have a large amount of negatives from those days that I would like to reprint.Whilst I still have an enlarger and the tanks I do not wish to spend a lot of time in my bathroom or kitchen with chemical tanks.

Is it possible to get a scanner or a program that will enable me to use my overgrown calculator to reproduce prints from the negatives.

Many scanners are be able to handle 35mm negatives or transparencies. Mine does - it's a Canon, er, something orother, and wasn't particularly dear. If they're a bigger format like 120 or something, you might still be able to do it with a specialised attachment. Basically they need to be held on the platen and backlit. A program like Photoshop can easily invert the image from negative to positive.

[Steve H]

Many scanners are be able to handle 35mm negatives or transparencies. Mine does - it's a Canon, er, something orother, and wasn't particularly dear. If they're a bigger format like 120 or something, you might still be able to do it with a specialised attachment. Basically they need to be held on the platen and backlit. A program like Photoshop can easily invert the image from negative to positive.

Bigger scanner tend to have a lower resolution and typically can only handle one negative at a time. Negative scanners however can mount a strip of negatives which makes the process quicker. Depend on how many scann you want to do, if its only a couple then its probably chaepr to pay to have it done.

[Richard 003]

Many scanners are be able to handle 35mm negatives or transparencies. Mine does - it's a Canon, er, something orother, and wasn't particularly dear. If they're a bigger format like 120 or something, you might still be able to do it with a specialised attachment. Basically they need to be held on the platen and backlit. A program like Photoshop can easily invert the image from negative to positive.

Bigger scanner tend to have a lower resolution and typically can only handle one negative at a time. Negative scanners however can mount a strip of negatives which makes the process quicker. Depend on how many scann you want to do, if its only a couple then its probably chaepr to pay to have it done.

I agree, and a lot less hassle

[guest27]

Was looking at some printer/scanner/copier thingies in Staples the other day - we need to replace the printer that does not work.. and a number of these had slots for negatives / 35mm slides etc.  And yes Photoshop turns negs into pics.  There are a number of photo shops that now have DIY enlargers - I do not know if they - or a local photoshop can do the job also.

I too have a load of negs of various types (inc big things) so would like to hear the answer.

R

[guest18]

We have an epson scanner which works quite well with prints and 35mm negs, Epson Perfection 1260 according to the label on the front of it.

It is slow, but it is also reasonable quality and was reasonably cheap! It wont do 120 negs unfortunately and most high street places can't do them either... so if they are a medium or large format then it's either pay the price for scanning at a pro shop or break out the developer ;-)

Personally I find now that I'll take lots of B&W 35mm, process the film in the sink because it's quick, easy and cheap (knew a girl like that once....sigh, lovely lass :-)) then scan the negs and only print them very occasionally.

Good luck anyway, and break out the cameras again!! B&W is the tool of an artist ;-)

[Steve H]

I used to use Ilford XP2 film http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/product.asp?n=11&t=Consumer+%26+Professional+Films. Its can be processed using the normal colour process so can be done by your local professional photographers (they take more care) at reasonable cost, and removes the need to spend ages winding film onto spirals in the pitch black. The time saved can then be spent printing.
I'm afraid I find digital photography much more convenient, but less satisfying.

[guest18]

I'm afraid I find digital photography much more convenient, but less satisfying.

What that man said!!

[xbruby]

Hi Bruce,

My brother bought a HP Scanjet 4850 which came complete with a slide attachment for scanning negatives, it cost circa £100.00 and the results were very impressive.

The software will scan the files at a very resoloution as the default (80 Mb!) but this can be reduced if desired.

It's a good bit of kit and good value for money.

Andy