All about Better Light scanning back

[Chokourov]

Here is the tulip sample I have to downsize it so not sure if the noise on black would be visible this have not been edited straight from scanning back Tiff file. setting on the back was 1/8 of max resolution 1/4sec F32 on Rodenstock Makro-Sironar 210mm f/5.6



I also uploaded the original 60mb tiff to transferbigfiles the link below

https://www.transferbigfiles.com/72f...YSb3TjJOXaHsQ2

( it would expire in 5 days if anyone interested after just ask )

Appeciate any input on the matter.

[Peter Mounier]

A lot of noise at the highest sensitivity is fairly normal. It doesn't show up much in your small version, but it screams at you with the full res image you uploaded.
The "black" background in your image isn't really black. If you intend for it to be pitch black, lower the ISO a bit if you can. The RGB numbers, taken from the middle of the image are pretty high, being approx. r-32 g-38 b-19. If you can lower the iso to get those numbers down to about 10 each, you'd be going a long way in reducing the amount of noise.
Another method of reducing noise in the scans is a method described by Robin Myers from Betterlight. The method is quoted from his post to the Betterlight users forum ...

"One method is to use image averaging.

Take 4 images of the artwork. These must be different exposures, NOT
the same image duplicated 4 times.

In Photoshop, open all 4 images and use the "Apply Image" command to
average the images. Bring Image 1 to the front and choose the
Image/Apply Image menu command. In the dialog window, select Image 2
for the "Source", "Background" for the "Layer", "RGB" for the
"Channel", "Add" for the "Blending", set the "Opacity" to 100, "Scale"
to 2, "Offset" to 0. The average of the two images will be calculated
and it will replace Image 1.

Bring Image 3 to the front and repeat the procedure with Image 4
selected for the "Source". When it finishes Image 3 will contain the
average.

Bring Image 1 to the front and repeat the procedure one more time with
Image 3 selected for the "Source". The average of all four images will
now be in Image 1.

Save Image 1 as a new file.

Averaging 4 images together will reduce the noise by 1/2 (i.e. one EV,
or one "f/stop"). So your ISO value of 800 would now be the equivalent
of 400."

Peter

[Chokourov]

Peter
Thanks I just made the setup almoust as it was and set F32 1/8 and lowest iso possible took 11min to scan at 50% resolution, result is much better! Will upload soon. Steel strugle with black background I use clack paper card but is a lot of light and card is A2 so I can't set it fare enought any sugestions would be much appreciated :-)

Thanks for the tip on photoshop image avereging but it looks like HDR to me ?
Would be good to have a look at Better light forum but to get membership on Betterlight forum need to be an owner of one??

Have tou tried photographing jewellery yourself with scanner?

Ilia

[Peter Mounier]

Now that you mention it, it does sound like HDR. I tested it out for myself a couple years ago, and it works. What I forgot to mention was that each of the exposures are the same exposure. Just shoot it four times with the exact same exposure, then average them. Apparently the noise is random enough that averaging the exposures out, smoothes out the noise.

I have not done jewelry with the BL. I mostly shoot paintings with it. I think you're right, you do have to purchase a scanner from BL to get membership in their forum.

Regarding your black card in the background, have you tried dragging the cure to make the "almost black" black?

Peter

[B.S.Kumar]

I use my Betterlight scanback for architecture, interiors and landscape.

A couple of tricks from when I used to do a bit of product work:

Instead of black card, use black flocked paper, or velvet, both of which are "blacker". Use a small, black painted, T-shaped rod to support the flower and get it further away from the background. Use black flags to ensure that light spill onto the background is minimized.

Hope this helps.

Kumar

[Chokourov]

Kumar
Thanks for a a tip I odered piece of black velvet today, simple it less reflective so is blacker !

Love your BW photos kinda captivating to look at

[B.S.Kumar]

Glad to be of help, and thanks for the kind words.

Kumar

[Chokourov]

Kumar
Would it be possible for you to share one shot from scanning back (or crop with pure white and deep black best in colour mode) in raw with all meta-data ( ISO, sensitivity setting), lens, F stop, exposure (time per line) etc screen grab from controlling soft with Curve would do it all ( I think )
This would give me at least something to try and see if I can get clean result?
Many thanks in advance
ILia

[B.S.Kumar]

I will get you something in a day or two.

Kumar

[Chokourov]

Many thanks to Kumar great help!! I finally manage to get close to perfect results from my Kigamo 8000 scanning back, Sinar X, Macro-Sironar 210mm combo


Single shot, F16, 1/50, 8000 x 11320 pixels original (if someone interested is bigger than A1 @ 300 DPI print) used one HMI light plus two reflectors, minimal postprocessing ( have to soften a bit )
Any comments-critics welcome