Transparency scaning - why emulsion side up?

[Brian Ellis]

I scan with emulsion side down with my Epson 10,000xl. I seem to get a better control of sharpness. The only reason I can see with emulsion side up is to get "right reading" of the negative... which you can easily flip in PS or other print editing programs.

This

[JBelthoff]

But why Epson suggests scanning them emulsion side up?

One must remember that Epson scanners are consumer products. Epson may be recommending this for no other reason than to avoid numerous customer calls complaining about backwards images.

However, as an artist you constantly try things to better your art. So scan whichever way you like regardless of what the manufacturer recommends.

It is anecdotally noted that Dell Computer gets an average of 10,000 calls on Christmas day complaining that customers can’t find the “Any Key”….

[chuck94022]

It is anecdotally noted that Dell Computer gets an average of 10,000 calls on Christmas day complaining that customers can’t find the “Any Key”….

My first civilian job was in the call center for a major computer manufacturer. Overheard one telephone specialist: "Sir, please place the 'O' 'N' '/' 'O' 'F' 'F' switch in the 'O' 'N' position. That worked? Great! Have a nice day!" (Yes, he had to spell it out...)

[dizzzyg44]

On my previous epson scanners there was little to no difference on which side was up (3200, v500) doing 35mm and MF...

On a whim, I retested on my 4990 since I'm shooting 4x5 now and noticed a huge difference with emulsion side up being sharpest...(both tri-x, and apx100).

Hopefully the link works....

[SergeiR]

I scan emulsion side down to ANR glass for a simple reason - i use tape to hold negative in place on glass, and its just felt logical to put tape on other side
But then ANR is getting flipped to be film down

[Doug Fisher]

The difference is more likely because for the sharp scan the film was closer to the correct film plane and for the less sharp one it was farther away (e.g. film curl/arch/sag). When you flipped the film, the film curl/arch/sag affected the focus because it put the film at a different distance from the scanner's optics.

Doug

[Leigh]

The film base is not an optical element, i.e. never meant to be in the path of image-forming light.

There's no reason to expect it to be of acceptable optical quality.

I always scan image down. If the image is reversed it can be corrected easily by any software.

- Leigh

[Steve Smith]

The film base is not an optical element, i.e. never meant to be in the path of image-forming light.

How can it not be in the path?


Steve.

[Leigh]

How can it not be in the path?

Perhaps you use different film, or a really weird camera.

I take pictures through the lens, which is in front of the emulsion, which is in front of the base.

- Leigh

[Steve Smith]

But when you scan, the light has to go through the base whichever way up you put the film.

I do normally try to put my film in with the emulsion towards the lens - it doesn't always happen though!



Steve.