Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

  1. #1

    Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    Any scanning gurus in here using SilverFast?

    When scanning a B&W negative (4x5) that is overexposed about a stop or so I cannot get a good scan from SilverFast. Nothing seems to work. The interesting thing is that I can get a good scan using Epson Scan. Every time.

    I’ve tried resetting SilverFast. I’ve tried turning Negafix off. I’ve tried every slider. None seem to be able to reduce the exposure of the negative very well. Epson Scan - no problem!

    Anyone else experience this?

    I’m on a Mac. Using an Epson V850.

    Thank you!

    David

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Posts
    1,573

    Re: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    Have you tried scanning to a linear file, then converting in PS? I use ColorPerfect for this step.

  3. #3

    Re: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    Quote Originally Posted by Alan9940 View Post
    Have you tried scanning to a linear file, then converting in PS? I use ColorPerfect for this step.
    Yes, I used the DNG 16bit option whereby SilverFast doesn’t use any settings.

  4. #4
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    8,640

    Re: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    Are you using the Expert Mode in Negafix to set the highlight and shadow points to include the entire histogram?

  5. #5

    Re: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    Quote Originally Posted by Oren Grad View Post
    Are you using the Expert Mode in Negafix to set the highlight and shadow points to include the entire histogram?
    Yes, it’s the overall brightness of the image. I’ll post an example here tomorrow.

  6. #6
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,385

    Re: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    I am amazed how well very thin negs scan on Epson
    Tin Can

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Posts
    300

    Re: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    I overexposed a shot by.... a lot. I'm guessing about 9-10 stops. When I pulled it out of the fixer, I thought I'd screwed up the development, but the other two negatives were fine.

    Was able to get a good scan of it with SilverFast anyway (Epson v800, Windows).

    I don't bother with expert mode on negafix usually-- do a pre-scan, do basic color correction with negafix (if needed), then open the generic histogram window, and set the shadow/highlight endpoints manually. You'll get more grain than you would expect, but the image should come out usable.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    397

    Re: Scanning overexposed B&W 4x5 negatives with SilverFast...

    >> I cannot get a good scan from SilverFast. Nothing seems to work. The interesting thing is that I can get a good scan using Epson Scan. Every time

    Why not to scan with what works and be done with that?

Similar Threads

  1. 4x5 Negatives with Silverfast
    By franklphoto in forum Digital Processing
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 11-Oct-2010, 22:49
  2. Processing negatives in Silverfast HDR
    By Anthony Lewis in forum Digital Processing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 30-Oct-2009, 12:00
  3. B & W scanning with Silverfast SE
    By Stephen Sample in forum Digital Processing
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 4-Dec-2008, 10:20
  4. Overexposed negatives when tilting lens
    By jasonjoo in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 21-Aug-2008, 20:12
  5. silverfast scanning
    By walterb in forum Digital Processing
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 1-May-2008, 14:19

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •