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Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Before you get started
- 3 What resolution should I use for my negatives or slides?
- 4 Should I scan to a JPEG or a TIFF?
- 5 Preparing your negatives or slides
- 6 Setting up the scanning software
- 7 Choosing scan settings
- 8 Scan and save
- 9 Summary and last steps
This document covers the step-by-step process for scanning film strips and slides with the EPSON Prefection V750 PRO scanner, using the application EPSON Scan.The EPSON Scan software is the same on Macintosh and Windows, so these instructions work for both platforms.
Note: If you want to scan a document or image(s), seeHow to Scan Documents and Images with EPSON Scanor How to Scan Using the Fujitsu Scanners.
We recommend you use a film holder, which helps the scanning application detect the negatives or slides you’re scanning. You can check out a box of film holders at the circulation desk on the second floor of the Duderstadt Center.
Be sure you have a flash drive, external hard drive, or other means of taking your files with you when you leave.
Choosing a resolution for scanning negatives and slides is a little more complicated than choosing a resolution for a normal photograph. Because negatives and slides are physically small, you need to scan them at a very high resolution so that they’ll be of good quality when you enlarge the images. This is important particularly if you’re planning to make prints of your images.
We recommend scanning negatives and slides at a resolution of 800-1200. There is a more precise formula for specific print sizes:
width of negative in inches * scanning resolution in dpi = size in pixels
size in pixels / printing resolution (usually 150-300 dpi) = print size in inches
For example, let’s say you’re scanning a slide that is 1.5 inches wide, and you choose to scan at 1000 dpi:
1.5 inches * 1000 dpi = 1500 pixels
(Video) How To Scan 35mm and 120 Film - IN DEPTH - Epson v600 - SilverFast - Negative Lab Pro
If you take that image and print it at 150 dpi, you get a print of the following width:
1500 pixels / 150 dpi = 10 inches
As with documents and images, if you’re making a digital copy of your image for web use (like social media), you can scan on the lower end of that scale, around 800 dpi. If you intend to print your image, or if you need a high-quality archive of your negatives and slides, scan on the higher end, at 1000-1200 dpi.
Remember that the higher your resolution, the larger your file size is going to be. Depending on how and where you’re planning to store your digital images, this may also affect your decision.
Again, it depends what you’re going to do with them!
JPEG (or JPG) is a very popular and easily compatible file format. Most digital cameras save photos as JPEGs, and they’re the easiest format to share with others via email or social media. They are high quality, but not the absolute best. To keep file size down, a JPG is compressed, which will result in some loss of detail. If you are digitizing photos for a website or slideshow, this is probably what you want.
TIFFs are not as commonly used. They may not be recognized by all photo sharing sites, but will be usable by photo editing software. The file size is much larger because TIFFs are an uncompressed file format, meaning 100% of what you scanned is visible in the file. If you’re going to edit or print your photos, this may be the best choice.
- Lift the scanner cover and remove the white reflective backing from the scanner cover by sliding it out from its holders.
- Make sure the scanner bed is free of dust and smudges, which can show up on your scan. If it’s dirty, ask a consultant for cleaning supplies.
- Place your negatives or slides in the appropriate film holder.
Thereare guidelines on the film holders for properly orienting the negatives and slides, but even if you load the holder backwards, you can flip or rotate the images after you scan them.35mm film negatives in film holder.
- Place the film holder onto the scanner so that the white arrows are aligned with one another. There are two pegs on the right-hand side of the film holder that will fit into two small holes on the scanner bed.
35mm mounted slides in the slide holder, properly fitted in the scanner bed.
- Lower the scanner cover.
- Open up the application EPSON Scan. It’s the same on both Macintosh and Windows, so these instructions will work on either platform.
- Under “Mode,” at the top right of the window, select “Professional Mode.” This will give you expanded options for your scanning settings, which you can adjust depending on what you want to scan.
- Adjust the scan settings to your needs.
- Under the Document Type pulldown menu, select Film (with Film Holder) if your negatives or slides fit in one of the standard film holders.
Select Film (with Film Area Guide) if your film strips or slides are irregularly sized. Use the Film Area Guide provided in the container of film holders. (Please note that using the Film Area Guide can give less-than-reliable results, and is not recommended unless your negatives or slides won’t fit in any of the standard film holders.) - Under the Film Type pulldown menu, select the kind of film you’re scanning.
Choose Positive Film to scan positive negatives and slides (the kind that don’t have the colors all backwards).
Choose Color Negative Film to scan color negative negatives and slides.
Choose B&W Negative Film to scan black and white negatives and slides. - Under the Image Type pulldown menu, select 24-bit Color for a color scan, and 8-bit Grayscale if you would like to scan in black and white (choosing Black and White will scan only in black and white, with no spectrum of gray).
- Choose your resolution, which decides the quality of your scan. We recommend scanning negatives and slides at 800-1200 dpi – see above for more information on choosing a scanning resolution.
- Click Preview.
- After clicking Preview, EPSON scan will interpret your negatives and slides and show you thumbnails of your images.
- In the Preview window, you can click on a thumbnail and rotate your image or reverse it using the buttons under Frame on the left of the window. You can also uncheck the box below a thumbnail if you do not want to scan that image. All images are selected by default.
- Click Scan.
- In the File Save Settings window that opens, under Location, choose where you want to save your files (saving to the Desktop makes them easier to find). Under Image Format Type, choose howyou want to save your files (the benefits of JPEG vs. TIFF are discussed above).
- Click OK. All the images that were checked in the Preview window will be scanned and saved to the location you specified.
You now have high-quality digital images of your photos! Feel free to edit or rename any of your files – if you need help editing a picture with a program like Photoshop, ask one of our consultants. Remember to save and take your files with you by flash drive, external hard drive, self-addressed e-mail, or some other means. Don’t forget to retrieve your negatives or slides from the scanner, and please return the box of film holders to the circulation desk on the second floor!
This tutorial was written by GroundWorks Consultants Nora Stone and Stephen Ratkovich.
Tagged:filmhow to scanJPEGJPGnegativesscannerscanningslidesTIFF
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FAQs
What is the best scan settings for negatives on Epson printer? ›
As with documents and images, if you're making a digital copy of your image for web use (like social media), you can scan on the lower end of that scale, around 800 dpi. If you intend to print your image, or if you need a high-quality archive of your negatives and slides, scan on the higher end, at 1000-1200 dpi.
Can you scan negatives with Epson printer? ›In Full Auto Mode, you can scan only 35mm color negative film strips or color positive slides. To scan other types of film, use Home or Professional Mode. Home Mode lets you customize some scanning settings and check their effects with a preview image.
What setting do you scan negatives on? ›1200/2400 DPI - Recommended for film and slides. 6400 DPI – The highest the scanner goes. There are options to go higher, but it results only in a larger file size with no added benefit.
What setting do I need to scan 35mm negatives? ›The best scan resolution for the Web.
35mm film will work best on the web when scanned at 2,700DPI and saved as a JPEG file with compression set to 80. Medium format will produce a similar file when scanned at just 1,200DPI. 4x5 only needs 650DPI, and 8x10 will do fine at 320DPI.
Scanning Slides and Negatives
We'd recommend a resolution of 3000dpi to 4800dpi. Scanning at a resolution this high will take considerably longer than a scan at say, 2400dpi but will produce a image suitable for much larger re-prints.
Negatives get their names because all of the colors are inverted -- or negative -- of the actual photos they make. That means if you want your negatives to be converted into digital photos, you have to use a special sort of scanner. Some brands sell digital negative scanners that you can use at home.
Do you scan negatives shiny side up or down? ›Slide one or two film strips all the way into the film holder with the shiny base side facing down. Your images and any wording on the film strips should appear backwards on the side that faces up. Note: Hold the edge of the film gently or use gloves to touch the film; otherwise you may damage the film.
What is the best way to scan 35mm slides? ›- How to Scan Slides With a Flatbed Scanner. Easily the most obvious tool for scanning a photographic slide is a scanner. ...
- Convert Slides to Digital With a Slide Projector. ...
- Digitize Slides With a DSLR Duplicator Mount. ...
- Convert 35mm Slides to Digital With a Dedicated Slide Scanner.
- Examine your negatives or slides for dust, and clean them with canned air if necessary. ...
- Use compressed air to clean your scanning device if necessary. ...
- Insert a negative or slide into your scanning device. ...
- Check the display to view your negative or slide. ...
- Press the scan or copy button.
Scanning resolution varies depending on the format and size of the original material. Prints and photographs: 600 ppi. 35mm slides, negatives: 4000 ppi. Oversize posters and maps: 400 ppi.
Can I scan 35mm slides with a regular scanner? ›
Most standalone scanners are designed to digitize both 35mm negatives and slides. These units take the slide and project it onto a receptor that captures the image and digitizes it internally. You can pick and choose the slides you want to scan and retain or discard the rest.
Is it better to scan negatives or photos? ›Photo negatives are sharper and more detailed than print photographs, so if you have negatives of the prints that you would like to digitize, we recommend sending in the negatives. Another thing to consider is that print photographs crop out the left and right sides of the negative image.
Is it better to scan old photos or negatives? ›In almost all cases, you will get a higher quality scan if you can the film, negative or slide instead of the print or photo simply because the negatives contain much more information than a print provides. A good way to think about this is to consider the negative as the 'original', and the printed photos as 'copies'.
Can 35mm negatives be scanned? ›The short answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to know before getting started. First, everyday flatbed scanners aren't ideal for scanning photo negatives because those scanners typically aren't backlit.
Why does 35mm look better than digital? ›Film Blends Light and Color Better
Digital camera sensors, are made up of millions of tiny squares that give us an image. Film isn't split up in such a linear way, and because of that, it naturally blends light and colors better.
| 1 – 25 frames | $2.99 per frame |
|---|---|
| 26 – 100 frames | $0.39 per frame |
| 101 – 250 frames | $0.29 per frame |
| 251 – 500 frames | $0.25 per frame |
| 500 frames or more | $0.22 per frame |
We highly recommend choosing 20x rather than 40x for most applications. Most pathology diagnoses are made at 4x, 10x, or 20x so the 20x scanning magnification is usually quite sufficient to see the features of interest.
How do I prepare slides for scanning? ›Place the slides into rectangular boxes or stack and wrap them in rubber bands : Old aluminum foil or Saran Wrap boxes make excellent containers for slides. Also, you can stack the slides and keep them together with two sets of rubber bands.
Should I scan slides as JPEG or TIFF? ›Which file is best for photography — JPEG or TIFF? A TIFF will enable you to store richer, more detailed images. It's good practice to save your original (or source) photos as TIFF files. JPEGs, meanwhile, might be a better choice for exporting your finished edits because they're easier to share and print.
What is the fastest scanner for negatives? ›The Plustek OpticFilm 8200i SE has the highest scan resolution for a negative scanner. You can scan negatives at 7200 dpi. That's equivalent to an image from a 69 MP camera. But the outright winner is the Epson Perfection V600.
What not to do with scanner? ›
Avoid placing the scanner near entry doors, windows and high-traffic areas. These places increase the possibility that moisture, dirt and other debris in the office can clog and otherwise infiltrate your office scanner.
How can I scan negatives cheaply? ›DSLR / Mirrorless Scanning
These days, many people are turning to their digital cameras to “scan” their negatives. If you already have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, this is probably the cheapest way to scan your negative while still getting decent results.
To scan using the feeder:
For 8.5x11 paper, place the documents vertically face up in the feeder. For larger paper sizes, place the documents horizontally face up in the feeder.
The dull side (the emulsion) is the side that the scanner needs to scan. If that's hard to see, look on the slide to find the words "this side towards screen." That's the side that the scanner needs to scan, so it needs to go down when you place it in the machine.
Do you put paper face down when scanning? ›Your paper should go face-down in the scanner's tray.
What is the cheapest way to convert slides to digital? ›Slide Scanner Equipment
According to reviews, the best slide-to-digital converter for cost-effectiveness is the Kodak Scanza, which costs $149 on Amazon. It's easy to use, provides on-screen step-by-step instructions, and offers SD card output , USB output, HMDI output, and TV output options.
$44.98 when ordering DVD and USB separately. No slide limit on USB — your order will be transferred to a single USB. Your digitized memories will be viewable on any device with a USB port, and files will be easy to store, duplicate, and back up.
Is there a free app to scan slides? ›SlideScan - Slide Scanner App on the App Store.
Is there an app to scan old slides? ›One is a $140 digital scanner while the other is a free app called SlideScan. The app is unique in that all you need to scan your slides is your iPhone or Android.
Should I scan photos at 300 or 600 DPI? ›For photo prints, 300 dpi is fine in general; scan at 600 dpi to make sure you get all the details hidden in your prints. Scanning beyond 600 dpi is wasteful; it'll make the files bigger without giving you any additional image detail. Plus, the higher the resolution, the more time it takes to scan each photo.
How do I know if my slides are 35mm? ›
35mm Slide
By far the most common slide format, 35mm slides are generally encased in a paper of plastic holder. The transparency film size (section containing the picture) of 35mm x 24mm, with a viewable area of roughly 34mm x 23mm. There's also a rare smaller mount in addition to the standard 2" x 2" mount.
We accept 35 mm, APS film, 110 film, 110/220 film, 126 Instamatic film, and large negatives as well as 35 mm, Super 35 mm, 110/220, 126, 127, and 127 Superslide slides. We also offer the first-ever touchless photo album scanning service in the world.
Can I touch my film negatives? ›Only touch your negatives with clean and dry hands. Be sure to hold them by the edges, as the oils on your hands can damage them.
What is the best app to convert film negatives? ›The best option for negatives: FilmBox by Photomyne
FilmBox is a smart scanner app for iOS and Android that digitizes your old camera film negatives using just your smartphone. You can view, capture, and save film negatives, making browsing, organizing, and sharing easier.
FilmLab is the best app for viewing and digitizing film negatives. FilmLab lets you view negatives as positives, capture scans to save and share, and convert high resolution images from scanners and digital cameras. FIlmLab is actively developed by a small team that is passionate about film photography.
How much does it cost to digitize 35mm slides? ›| COSTS OF SCANNING NEGATIVES, SLIDES & OTHER SPECIAL MEDIA FORMATS | RESOLUTION | PRICE PER IMAGE |
|---|---|---|
| 110/126/127 Slides/Negatives, Stereo Slides, 35mm Single Frame Negatives | 3000 dpi | $1.48 |
| Documents & Large Photos (to 11" x 14") | 600 dpi | $1.48 |
| Medium Format | 3000 dpi | $2.48 |
| Large Format(4x5 or larger) | 3000 dpi | $5.48 |
Either shooting a frame twice or running a roll of film through my camera twice. But did you know it's possible to create double exposures after you've photographed and developed your film? Yes, you read that correctly. It's fun and pretty simple to do.
Should I keep old film negatives? ›It's definitely worth keeping excellent quality negatives if you're a fine art photographer and sell your work. If you keep negatives, make sure you store them properly. Negatives are best stored in archival plastic negative sheets collected in a ring binder or archival quality envelopes.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean photographs? ›Remove fingerprints and smudges: Use a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of rubbing alcohol or distilled water to gently dab the affected area. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this can damage the photograph.
What is the best setting for Epson scan? ›Home Mode is best when you want to preview images of photos, film, or slides before scanning them. You can size the image as you scan, adjust the scan area, and adjust many image settings, including color restoration, dust removal, Digital ICE Technology (for color film and slides only), and backlight correction.
How do I improve Epson scan quality? ›
Make sure the scanner is placed on a flat, stable surface. Select the Unsharp Mask check box in the Office Mode or Professional Mode window. See Adjusting the Color and Other Image Settings for instructions. Adjust the Auto Exposure setting in the Professional Mode window.
How do I scan high quality negatives? ›How Do I Digitize My Negatives? The best way to digitize negatives and slides is to use a film and slide scanner. These devices are similar to regular scanners, but they're specifically designed to scan negatives and slides that need to be backlit to view.
What is the best resolution for an Epson scanner? ›| What you will do with the scanned image | Suggested scan resolution |
|---|---|
| Searchable PDF | 200 to 400 dpi |
| Print using ink jet printer with normal quality | 150 dpi (Color or Grayscale) 360 dpi (Black & White) |
| Print using ink jet printer with high quality | 300 dpi (Color or Grayscale) 720 dpi (Black & White) |
Best DPI for Scanning Black-and-White Documents
Usually the best dpi for scanning documents – balancing readability and file size – is 300 dpi. It makes the document easy to read and share. Also, font size can affect the dpi you choose. Standard font sizes, 10-point and up, are fine at 300 dpi.
| Item type | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Documents | 300 dpi black-and-white — or — 200 dpi grayscale or color |
| Documents of poor quality or that contain small text | 400 dpi black-and-white — or — 300 dpi grayscale |
| Photographs and pictures | 100-200 dpi color — or — 200 dpi grayscale |
High DPI vs Low DPI
Document Quality: A file scanned at a highest DPI will always allow you the best use of the image. It will offer the best quality image when needed and a copy of the file can always be resized for when the highest quality isn't necessary.
Make sure the scanner is turned on. Turn off your computer and scanner, then check the USB cable connection between them to make sure it is secure. The scanner may not work properly when your computer is in standby mode (Windows) or sleep mode (Mac OS X). Restart Epson Scan and try scanning again.
Why is my scanner not scanning clearly? ›Your Image Is Blurred
Make sure the document or photo lies flat on the document table. Also make sure your document or photo is not wrinkled or warped. Make sure you do not move the document or photo, or your scanner while scanning. Make sure the scanner is placed on a flat, stable surface.
The best option for negatives: FilmBox by Photomyne
FilmBox is a smart scanner app for iOS and Android that digitizes your old camera film negatives using just your smartphone. You can view, capture, and save film negatives, making browsing, organizing, and sharing easier.
Scanning resolution varies depending on the format and size of the original material. Prints and photographs: 600 ppi. 35mm slides, negatives: 4000 ppi. Oversize posters and maps: 400 ppi.
Should I scan at 300dpi or 600dpi? ›
Generally, 300 DPI is great for small prints, while 600 DPI is amazing for large prints. If you're scanning documents or photos to be used on the web or in emails, 300 dpi is more than enough. If you want to print large photos or blow them up to poster size, 600 dpi will give you better results.
What is the best DPI for 35mm slides? ›Here is the quick answer: if you are scanning a 35mm slide, set your scanner resolution to 4000 DPI.