How to scan old 120 size B&W

[Phil]

Today I was going through the garage and ran across a stash of separated
120 (I think, they are 2.25" sq) size B&W negatives from my teenage
darkroom days. Many of them are shots I had thought I had lost years ago
when my parents threw out my junk when I left home.

I'd like to scan these, but my old and trusty original photosmart
scanner only does 35mm strips. I succeeded in scanning some of these as
prints at 300dpi and using an editor to negate the image, the results
are less than satisfactory as you might guess.

So if I am to get a new film scanner, do any of them have the facility
to take these jumbo negatives?

 

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

Today I was going through the garage and ran across a stash of separated
120 (I think, they are 2.25" sq) size B&W negatives from my teenage
darkroom days. Many of them are shots I had thought I had lost years ago
when my parents threw out my junk when I left home.

I'd like to scan these, but my old and trusty original photosmart
scanner only does 35mm strips. I succeeded in scanning some of these as
prints at 300dpi and using an editor to negate the image, the results
are less than satisfactory as you might guess.

So if I am to get a new film scanner, do any of them have the facility
to take these jumbo negatives?

Yes, there are film scanners that take 2 1/4 negatives, but they are
rather expensive. What I use for my old negatives like this is an
Epson flat bed with a 2 1/4 negative holder. Mine is a model 3170,
but I think there are newer ones with better resolution. Still I find
that I get reasonable results with it, for making up to 8x10 prints.
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

 

[birdman]

Flatbed scanners with transparency adapters are much better at scanning
these large format negatives than 35mm.
Epson was, probably still is, selling refurbished 4180 scanners for less
than $150. These have 4800 optical dpi. built in transparency adapter and
the same warranty as if you bought it in a store. I bought one to replace my
ancient Epson 1200 which, at 1600 dpi, did a fairly good job with large
format negatives/transparencies.

 

[CSM1]

Today I was going through the garage and ran across a stash of separated
120 (I think, they are 2.25" sq) size B&W negatives from my teenage
darkroom days. Many of them are shots I had thought I had lost years ago
when my parents threw out my junk when I left home.

I'd like to scan these, but my old and trusty original photosmart
scanner only does 35mm strips. I succeeded in scanning some of these as
prints at 300dpi and using an editor to negate the image, the results
are less than satisfactory as you might guess.

So if I am to get a new film scanner, do any of them have the facility
to take these jumbo negatives?

There are flat bed scanners that have a 120 transparency adapter built-in
the lid.

I just bought a Canon Canoscan 8400F that does a great job on 120 film.
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=120&modelid=10242

Epson makes flat beds that will handle 120 film also.

 

[VG]

I get excellent results using the following method.

1. Place the negative on your scanner with a black paper mask to restrict
the scan to the negative area.
2. Place a light box on top of the negative
3. Scan normally with scanner setting at 'negative. Alternatively you can
convert the negative to positive in your photo editing software.

This method is much better than just placing the negaitve on the scanner
without mask or back light.

You could possibly find a light box from your local photo shop. The sort
that is used for examining negatives before printing. Alternatively you
could make one with a short fluorescant tube. Cover the box with frosted
glass or plastic.

Hope this helps.

Please reply to group.

V.G.