V700 Plane of Focus

[Bruce Pottorff]

Hey all

I am scanning 4x5 negs on a v700, and I assumed that the Epson film holder would place the neg in the exact plane of focus. Is this a reasonable assumption, and if not, what steps should I take to address the issue?

[Ash]

Hah!!


Yea I would have thought that too, but it's not true.


Apparently the best height for the negative is to have it the opposite of what is recommended.

Pull each of the arrowed feet off and turn them sideways (they click in slightly higher). Scan the film upside down, then flip in your image editor. That is the best sharpness, according to what I've read.

I've only turned the feet around on mine, and that is 'good enough' considering how disappointed I am with the v700.

[Joanna Carter]

I am scanning 4x5 negs on a v700, and I assumed that the Epson film holder would place the neg in the exact plane of focus. Is this a reasonable assumption, and if not, what steps should I take to address the issue?

Don't assume Get in touch with Doug Fisher at Better Scanning http://www.betterscanning.com/. He does a superb, adjustable height, scanning station.

I tried to make adjustments to my Epson holder but it really was fiddly. I got one of Doug's holders and, within the hour, I had done sufficient test scans to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was getting sharper scans.

[Jehu]

I just got a 750. I understand that it's about the same thing as the V700. The scanning utility has selections for film with or without holder. I never noticed the reversable feet before. I do know that the emulsion side should go toward the scanner so the light doesn't travel through the film after the image.

Why does the holder have two positions? Is this supposed to be a "trial and error" opperation to determine the best way for each individual scanner?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for batch scanning direct to files? I have CS3, Lightroom & Bridge along with the scanning utility that came with the Epson. I just want to get some lower resolution thumbnails to look at when I'm using 35mm or 6x4.5.

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, the focus point will vary with the individual scanner. So, it is best to test yours out with the feet at 0, + and completely off. (I have my feet off, with the emulsion side down). It is covered in the manual, but buried in there under troubleshooting, I think.

Jon

[Jehu]

That's my problem... I never read manuals

[Walter Calahan]

I use the better scanning holders. They are the best. Get them, use them.

[captainslack]

Manuals!? We don't kneed no steeking manuals!

[Brian_A]

Don't assume Get in touch with Doug Fisher at Better Scanning http://www.betterscanning.com/. He does a superb, adjustable height, scanning station.

I agree with Joanna. Get a film holder from BetterScanning. That way, when you apply are your sharpening tools in Photoshop, they'll make it REALLY sharp.

-Brian