Wet scanning on a V750 question

[Chilidog]

A quick background: I am returning to serious hobby/ amateur photography after about 10 years off. After my son was born, I had a hard time finding the time (and the extra cash) to get out and do the type of landscape photography I like to do. Anyway, things have eased up somewhat and I am trying to get back into the swing of things, so to speak. My intent is to get into and explore LF using a speed graphic. However, even before I get to that point, I am looking to set up a digital darkroom system. I have a large number of MF negatives, 6x4.5 and 6x7 that I’d like to scan in and play with. At this point I have to replace my computer system, printer and scanner (they are all old and need to be upgraded anyway.)

So, here’s my issue, I’ve settled on the Epsom v750 flatbed as the scanner that I intend to purchase. To start with, I’ll do some dry scans to get the feel for the system, but I am curious about wet scanning.

It appears that the Epsom comes with a wet scanning adapter/ tray, but I could not find any instruction on the use of it on their web site. There are also a couple of different companies out there that sell aftermarket scanning kits of various configurations.

Can I get some feedback on these different systems? What are the advantages or drawbacks to them?

[Gem Singer]

www.aztek.com

You will find a video on using the Epson V750 wet mounting tray on this website.

[Greg Blank]

As a Mac user I gotta state wmv files that auto down load to my computer are an irritation at best.


www.aztek.com

You will find a video on using the Epson V750 wet mounting tray on this website.

[MumbleyJoe]

You'll probably get a number of people recommending the BetterScanning variable-height film holder (http://www.betterscanning.com), rather than using the Epson wet-mounting.

It seems the best thing you can do to get the most out of the V750/V700 is get it IN FOCUS, and that comes from adjusting the height of the film above the bed of the scanner until it comes into sharpest focus. I've used one V750 where the plastic film holders worked very well and were in good focus, but on my own I needed a variable-height film-holder to get it right. If you wet-mount your film but it's not well-focused it will be largely a wasted effort, imho.

I use the better-scanning holder and it made a real difference. I found the advantage of wet-mounting to be less noticeable, and while I might continue to do it for more 'important' scans, or if there are notable scratches where fluid mounting would help. Otherwise I use the better-scanning holder without wet-mounting.

Only some hands-on testing will show whether you have your scanner focused well with a given film-holder, but I'd focus on that first and foremost, and fluid-mounting second (sorry for not directly addressing your question, but I wanted to put that out there). There's some helpful additional information at the better scanning website too, regardless of which fluid-mounting approach you take.

When it comes to finding supplies for scanning (mounting fluid, mylar) Aztek.com is a good place to find what you need, as mentioned (along with the video). I found a cheaper source for the mounting fluid at
http://store.prepressexpress.com/category.php?id_category=57

I purchased PEC-12 film-cleaner at a local camera store, along with Pec Pads. And, I found good clean mylar sheets at an art-supply store as well, which is much cheaper than the expensive Aztec mylar (though admittedly not likely as clean and clear).

I hope that helps.

[Gem Singer]

Greg Blank,

I am also a Mac user and have no idea what you are referring to.

What is a mwv file?

I was attempting to help the OP with his problem. Is there another way that I could have included a link to that website?

[Greg Blank]

I said wmv. Its a windows format for movies. When I clicked the link for information related to the V750 and the Kami fluid in downloaded the file to my computer. They never open unless you get a windows specific player or plug in, to read the file type.


Greg Blank,

I am also a Mac user and have no idea what you are referring to.

What is a mwv file?

I was attempting to help the OP with his problem. Is there another way that I could have included a link to that website?

[Gem Singer]

So Greg, was there another way that I could have referred the OP to the Aztek website and the video?

It opened for me, and I don't use Windows programs. It does not download onto my computer (IMac).

I don't understand your problem.

[Greg Blank]

I have no problem with you or with you offering help, if that what you are hinting at.
& I was mostly making an observation. Can you answer for everyone including me, what type of file opens on your computer? I am as interested in the next person to see that information, seeing how I own a V750.



So Greg, was there another way that I could have referred the OP to the Aztek website and the video?

It opened for me, and I don't use Windows programs. It does not download onto my computer (IMac).

I don't understand your problem.

[Gem Singer]

Greg,

I know very little about computers, and I'm not trying to start an argument here.

My IMac computer runs on Apple Snow Leopard, and I also own an Epson V750 scanner.

I repeat, I don't understand the point you are attempting to make.

[Greg Blank]

Snow Leopard includes a WMV playing ability apparently. My Version of OSX does not.



Greg,

I know very little about computers, and I'm not trying to start an argument here.

My IMac computer runs on Apple Snow Leopard, and I also own an Epson V750 scanner.

I repeat, I don't understand the point you are attempting to make.

[alharding]

I spent the better part of this summer working on finding the best method of wetscanning 8x10. It wasn't easy.The Aztek video and method is pretty much it, but I do a few other things that I've found made a big difference. 2 things I found more helpful. Tape 3 of the four sides of the scanner with scanning tape. this will prevent scanning fluid from ending up in the machine ( I've had to deal with this and it wasn't particularly fun). Leave the edge at the top untaped. After coating the negative and covering it with transparency wipe out all air bubbles and tape all four sides of the transparency down-it further reduces diffraction. Scan. When you finish, hang the negative and allow the fluid to evaporate. The fluid can leave a residue, rinsing in distilled water gets rid of it.

[Marko]

Snow Leopard includes a WMV playing ability apparently. My Version of OSX does not.

What you need is Perian (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=perian&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8) and VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html).

No downsides I can think of.

[Gem Singer]

Al,

The OP mentioned that he would be scanning 120 roll film and perhaps later, 4x5 film from a Speed Graphic.

In that case, he can wet mount his MF negatives on the glass accessory tray that comes with the V750.

Since that tray is too small for 8x10, the film needs to be wet mounted directly on the larger size scanner glass. Thus the need for taping to prevent fluid from getting inside of the machine.

Sometimes, 8x10 negatives can be trimmed down to fit on the accessory tray.

[alharding]

I tried scanning 4x5 negs with both the tray and without. Although the tray is undoubtedly less messy, the scans were sharper without it. I don't think its completely necessary for everyone, by any means. I ended up buying the v700 and opting out of using the tray. If I didn't shoot 8x10 I might not have gone this route exactly.

[Linhof]

I have a V700 but always experience out of focus issue.

Having seen the video at aztek, I worry wet mount fluid. Is there any side effect on the film?

[cps]

Ok - now back to the OP's question...

I concur with Tyler that the advantages of wet-mounting on a v7xx are probably secondary to dialing in the right focus height. A few fractions of a millimeter of height change can make a very noticeable difference on scan sharpness - so much so that I suspect no amount of wet-mounting goodness would help you if your negs are not at the right altitude. The stock film holders the Epson comes with are usable for non-critical work, but aren't nearly precise enough to get good focus (unless you are lucky, which some are).

I have both the Better Scanning Scan Station (for 4x5) and the medium format station with anti-Newton ring glass. I scan both types of film regularly. The advantages of these systems are two-fold - the glass holds unruly negatives truly flat, and the screw-type adjusters allow very precise height adjustment. For medium format film, flatness can be a big issue - the AN glass insert makes it really simple to deal with that.

One pointer I haven't seen people mention around here is to pick the negative you use as your test bed for focusing carefully. Some of the modern, more grainless color films can be truly sharp (if you focused your shot well), but I personally find they can actually be harder to use as a focusing target (perhaps because of my shot-focusing abilites). I found that I could much more easily see the sharpness differences on a fine-grained (but nevertheless somewhat grainy) B&W negative. The absence of color also seemed to help avoid distraction. My first attempts used a small patch of Velvia 50 as a target, and I simply could not pick out the differences very well. Switching to Arista Edu Ultra 100 - a cheap B&W film - made it very easy to pick out where the detail in the shot and the grain was "popping".

One other little trick - if you get the better scanning holders - is to zero out all the adjusters, then put a little tick mark in the 12 o'clock position on each one of the screws (they are nylon) with a permanent marker. A quarter-turn adjustment can have an effect, so this makes it way easier to figure out if you are being consistent in how you adjust each one.

Chris