Digital prints from scanned colour negatives?

[AndrewEllinas]

I waited quite some time before buying a digital SLR because I wasn't happy with the quality.

I bought a 10D about 9 months ago and, after the usual learning curve, am very happy with the quality of my prints. I love having a 'digital darkroom' and being able to print colour without all the temperature controlled water baths, enlarger colour reading problems etc.

However, I don't want to stop using film. Is there any kit made (hardware & software) that would allow me to scan 35mm or 6x6 colour negative, open it into Photoshop CS as a positive so that I could then continue my digital workflow in the normal way?

If not, does anyone have a recommendation for a high quality transparency scanner.
:?:

[scottbergerphoto]

The Nikon Coolscan V is a 4000dpi film scanner http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=310476&is=REG &si=feat#goto_itemInfo.
It is about to replace the Coolscan IV or LS40 a 2900DPI film scanner. It comes with excellent software and Digital ICE by Applied Science Fiction. I really like my LS40. You might try to pick one up used or wait for the V.
Scott

[G3]

I have an Epson Perfection 3170 Photo scanner that does a good job and also works as a high-resolution color flatbed scanner. It comes with all the necessary software and drivers. I think it was around $200.00. It has adapters for 35mm slides, 35 mm negative strips and medium format negatives.

Once you scan the images in, you can work on them directly in Photoshop.

[vsolanoy]

I use a CanoScan 2720 dedicated film scanner. It doesn't have FARE or DigitalIce, so there's substantial cleanup if I don't use a can of air to blow off any lose dust (I also use a soft brush to sweep any other dust that I can spot).

The results I get for the scanner are extraordinary. I actually prefer the images I get from a transparency scan to my 10D (blasphamy!), but it takes too much time to scan (about 45 seconds for a high-res scan, not to mention Photoshop time to cleanse the image of dust, scratches, etc). I haven't had a need for collecting color because I like the contrast of the slide film I've been using (Kodak Ectachrome 100).

I tried scanning negatives on my flatbed scanner with the transaparancy adaptor (CanoScan FS5000 or something like that). The scans were horrible - contrast was bad, colors were very off. On the plus side, the CanoScan FS5000 has FARE, so the scans were dust free.

Victor

[GenEOS]

I would also suggest buying the Nikon. HP's film scanner is OK, but not all that great. Nikon has been making them for a while and they produce excellent scans.

[outoffocus]

I also have the Nikon coolscan 4000. It has been my work horse for a few years. I recommend it and the ICE software is indeed nice. Having said that, I think its' been a bit lonely since I bought my 10D..!


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http://www.THEBIGPICTURE.ws/

[AndrewEllinas]

thanks for all your suggestions.

the new nikon scanner is a definate contender as well as the Epson Perfection 4870 Photo which may be exactly what i'm looking for. it will scan 35mm and 6x6.

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/News/Nov03/Epson4870.htm