Scanning Wedding Negatives

[lost]

I am just getting into Photography and have just bought a DRebel. That said I was married 2 years ago. My Photographer was great until after the wedding. I wont go into the details here but it took me over a year to get my final Pictures. At which time I demanded the negatives and he gave them to me:lol: .

He shot the wedding in a Medium Format. I would like to have them converted to Digital but the prices quoted seem to be very high. 2-3 dollars per negative. I have about 2-3 hundred negatives to convert and I want them all converted. With all the problems he gave us I have began to doubt his competence and would like to review all the Pictures to see what was Left out.

Can anyone give me an idea on which resolution they should be scanned at and point me in the direction of a reputable company to deal with.

I live in the US and located just outside of New Orleans, La.

[robertwgross]

Before you decide what resolution to scan with, you might want to decide what is the purpose of the digital files. If you just want to review them to see what is there, then you could scan with 50-100 lines per inch. If you want to be able to get a perfect print from one, then you could scan higher.

When I scan 35mm slides, I use 4000 lines per inch.

---Bob Gross---

[lost]

I would want to be able to print from them. I have access to a WideFormat Printer so they potentially could be printed pretty large. I am thinking anniversary present.;)

[Mike Panic]

$2-3 for a high quality, uncompressed scan is about the going rate.

you need to understand that in addition to the HUGE amount of time that is involved, scanning is an art in itself... its not that simple to just do. figure that a 6x7 uncompressed scan will yield a 105meg file (about) - on a pro level scanner you are looking at 4-5 minutes per scan. on a consumer levels scanner, add 20-100% time to that.

your other option would be to buy a scanner yourself and do it, however i think you will find that after doing it for a few hours that its not much fun at all. the high end nikon line will do the job, but again are you willing to set aside the hours to do this, in addition to having a large enough hdd and cd or dvd burner?

[lost]

As an IT professional/aspiring photographer I do have all that you mentioned except the scanner. I would like to hear from people that do their own scans. I am very interested in the best type of scanner suitable to scanning medium format negatives. I have seen the high end 1000-3000 dollar machines but that is a little out of my price range.

I would perfer to buy a high end prosumer scanner and do the labor myself. I have a lot more time than money!!! Plus I end up with a nice piece of hardware for the same cost as having someone else do it.

So lets hear from all of you that have experience with scanners and medium format negatives.

Thanks for all the help!!!

[donlavange]

I have the Nikon 9000 which does medium format as well as 35mm (incuding Kodachromes). 6 x 7 does give you very large files. It is a slow process and not a fun event.

The Nikon street price is about 2 grand. It includes image correction software and does a great job. The prints from the files are excellent. Can't go wrong with this scanner if you can swing it.

[lost]

Unfortunately I cant come up with that kinda cash. Ok I am not familliar with film photog. I was told they were medium format negatives. They are each about 2 inches across.


200 negatives X $2 = $400.00

I cant justify spending any more that it would cost me to get them done professionally. So I am looking sub $350 range.

[donlavange]

Unfortunately I cant come up with that kinda cash. Ok I am not familliar with film photog. I was told they were medium format negatives. They are each about 2 inches across.


200 negatives X $2 = $400.00

I cant justify spending any more that it would cost me to get them done professionally. So I am looking sub $350 range.

I would be glad to scan a half a dozen or so for you at no charge so you can at least have something as a reference point.

[lost]

Don

I appreciate the offer and may take you up on it.



I would like to hear if any one has had success scanning medium format(?) negatives on a sub 400$ scanner.

[iceman]

Don

I appreciate the offer and may take you up on it.



I would like to hear if any one has had success scanning medium format(?) negatives on a sub 400$ scanner.

Why not purchase the Epson 4990 and do the scans yourself, it will give you plenty of resolution for poster size prints. At $500, you'll also have a scanner for future scans.

Cheers,
Dennis
Northern Images Photography

[mbze430]

It really depends what you plan to do with them. If you plan on just printing 5x7, a flat bed scanner is good enough. but for any serious work, you can't afford to scan your 120/220 with them. But with 120/220 you don't need super DPI, because they have a large enough footprints. 35mm you'll need every last bit from a 4200dpi scanner.

[lost]

Thanks for the advice.


Is the 4990 available in the US? I was also looking at the CanoScan 9950F.

Is there a significant difference in the two?

[lost]

Well I think I have decided to go with the CanoScan 9950F unless someone can come up with a convincing reason not to. I plan on scanning Medium format and some old 35mm negatives.