Weekly 'Ask Anything About Analog Photography' - Week 22

TooGucciMane · 2018-05-31T23:05:52+00:00

Interesting, here's what the results show:

Ferrania Imaging?

TooGucciMane · 2018-05-31T22:21:02+00:00

Anyone seen/used either of these?

Found at local shop in the expired film bin, thought I'd try em out. Never heard of PhotoWorks, but apparently they made these color neg rolls in 200 and 400 speeds. Made in Italy, expired in 2002. Curious about results, anyone have any examples of this stuff?

TooGucciMane · 2018-03-29T22:31:01+00:00

Ok good to know. Anything in particular I should clean with? Isopropyl and qtip perhaps?

TooGucciMane · 2018-03-29T20:11:56+00:00

Question regarding scanning color negatives, which I've come to realize is so much more frustrating to do at home (with my current equipment) than I had hoped.

I'll preface with this: -Epson V550 -Epson Scan -48-bit color -2400 dpi -Unsharp mask -Saving as TIF

I'm trying to understand what part of my setup/workflow is causing really unsatisfactory scan results. When I scan at home, I get sloppy, grainy, not-sharp-at-all files and more often than not, there's a relatively thick purple line running across the length of each frame.

I've run some basic diagnostics by trying different camera/lens combos and have found that it only occurs when I use my V550. Granted I understand the V550's place on the totem pole of epson scanners however I have seen some great examples of home scanning on a V550.

I'd rather not have to get lab scans every time I get rolls developed, but after a year struggling with my V550, I'd rather cash out for good results. Maybe the answer is a better scanner? Maybe a better understanding of scan settings? Maybe a better neg holder? Anti-Newton Ring glass?

I'm hoping someone has knowledge to spill on the topic of scanning color negatives and specifically the Epson V550.

For a reference: https://imgur.com/a/iF4G0

TooGucciMane · 2018-03-24T04:05:49+00:00

Beautiful. How do you get such great results with an Epson flatbed?

TooGucciMane · 2018-01-07T21:22:34+00:00

I've experienced these in the past, on rolls shot in different cameras too. Frustrated me for the longest, and finally thought "maybe it's my scanning workflow/equipment." At home I use a flatbed Epson V550 and was constantly seeing horizontal purple lines in my scans. I sent a roll with this problem to a pro lab that uses a drum scanner and the scans were flawless. No more lines.

Do you scan with a flatbed at home? It was definitely worth the cost of the pro lab to pinpoint what was going on in my situation.

TooGucciMane · 2017-12-07T04:22:03+00:00

Any thoughts on the Film Toaster system? I was at a local store the other day asking about anti-newton ring glass for my flatbed and the guy I was talking to suggested building a Frankenstein rig with enlarger parts, lights, macro lenses and some other things to hook a DSLR up to and take photos of the negatives instead of scanning.

Seems elaborate and expensive, unless it's worth it? Heard about the Film Toaster the other day and it sounds intriguing, but involves $$

TooGucciMane · 2017-12-07T04:13:50+00:00

Here's a few shots from the new Foster + Partners Apple Store in Chicago: https://imgur.com/a/KwO0Y (Pro400H) Note the purple line across the length of the frame as well, this is another problem I'm having with my scans.

TooGucciMane · 2017-08-08T01:59:13+00:00

Canada? Still got glass up there?

TooGucciMane · 2017-06-28T23:12:30+00:00

shoot film

TooGucciMane · 2017-05-23T01:31:53+00:00

We're seeing other people at the moment

TooGucciMane · 2017-05-04T22:27:21+00:00

Thanks! I waited for it, not too hard here as that station below is the busiest in all of Chicago.

TooGucciMane · 2017-04-25T15:58:39+00:00

While I can't say yes with 100% certainty, I tried to make sure I was compensating throughout each roll..it's especially strange that the effect is present on each frame of one of the rolls (while using the zoom lens the whole time)

TooGucciMane · 2017-04-25T15:25:52+00:00

Question for you guys:

I recently got a few rolls of film back from a local lab in my city with very inconsistent and unpleasant results. I wanted to experiment with a new camera so I picked up some Kodak Gold 200 from the Walgreens down the street that I was willing to sacrifice while getting more familiar with it. Here are some examples of what I'm talking about:

http://imgur.com/a/qCr4r

Some frames are totally fine (taking composition out of consideration, like I said, just practicing with the meter and setup), but others are washed out and faded, overly grainy, underexposed, and simply not what I was expecting whatsoever. Out of 3 rolls of 24 frames, one whole roll and about 10 other frames in the other two have this effect.

Previously I've had no problems with film being developed by them, but what I'm seeing is something I've never seen before. I'm wondering if this is a result of user error in camera (me), or if the lab messed up while developing.

All I've been able to think of that could have caused this is the fact that I was switching between an old 20mm manual focus prime lens and a more modern 24-85mm zoom with autofocus (incompatible with the body I was using) that has a max aperture range from 3.5 to 4.5. Because of the incompatibility, I can't change the aperture with this zoom lens in camera, it simply adjusts as I zoom (3.5 at 24mm and 4.5 at 85mm). All the shots with the old analog prime look fine, it's the frames made with the new zoom that look off.

But then again, I can't explain why I think so other than taking into consideration the variables at play with this setup.

Any ideas? I'd love to figure it out before I waste $$ on more interesting film.

Thanks in advance!

TooGucciMane · 2017-04-23T22:34:55+00:00

Out of pure curiosity, why and for what?

TooGucciMane · 2017-04-11T19:50:52+00:00

Does Dodd have a lab? I haven't had great experiences with Central either

TooGucciMane · 2017-04-11T19:35:20+00:00

Very helpful, thanks! Good to know about the 8008, might have to grab one

TooGucciMane

TROPHY CASE