Scanning 126 Slides

[jojax14]

Hi all,

This question comes up every now and again, but I though I would ask
just in case things had changed with the newer scanners coming to
market.

I have a couple of hundred 126 slides that I wish to scan. They fit
in a standard 35mm slide mount, but as they have a viewing area of
28x28mm, the top and bottom 2mm of the image is chopped off.

As far as I can tell, my options are:
1. By an MF scanner (expensive!)
2. Go with a flatbed (been there with a 1600dpi Epson Perfection 1650.
Results not so great, but maybe things are improved now with the
current top-of-the-line flatbeds - Epson 4870, Canon 9950)
3. Scan each slide twice, with the 2nd scan at 90%. Hopefully some
clever software would be able to stitch the scans together. I imagine
there may be problems getting the exposures to match, though.
4. Find a 35mm scanner that can do the full width of a 126 slide. I
believe that the old Polaroid Sprintscan and the HP S20 could do this,
but I would prefer something that does ICE.

Has anyone tried 3? Do you know any software that could do the
stitching without having to mess around too much? Preferably
something that could run as a macro; Having to do the scans twice
would be bad enough, but then having to repeat the stitching process
over and over would be a nightmare.

For the flatbed option, would the current top-of-the line scanners be
able to scan at the same level of quality (colour & sharpness) as the
Nikon LS-2000?The LS-2000 is my quality 'benchmark'.

Lastly, do any of the current range of 35mm scanners have the ability
to scan a full 126 slide?

Many thanks,

JJ

 

[kstewart]

I have scanned slides that are mounted in 35mm mounts that have a film area
of 35x24, 27x27,35x22,38x38 22x16 with my Epson 2400 and now my Epson 4870.

I have used Vuescan and Epson Scan. I have had to set each indiviual slide
area with Epson Scan (unless I missed something) but with Vuescan you just
set the area for the first and batch scan.


Don't know about the LS-2000 benchmark but I am very happy with my 4870. It
supposedly does 4800 optical though others here say it doesn't. The Digital
Ice works very well when using Epson scan and VueScan uses the infrared
channel to do much the same but with its alogrithims (I suppose you have to
pay for Digital Ice)

So I can't see any need to stitch stuff together.

keith

..

 

[Gordon Moat]

Hi all,

This question comes up every now and again, but I though I would ask
just in case things had changed with the newer scanners coming to
market.

I have a couple of hundred 126 slides that I wish to scan. They fit
in a standard 35mm slide mount, but as they have a viewing area of
28x28mm, the top and bottom 2mm of the image is chopped off.

As far as I can tell, my options are:
1. By an MF scanner (expensive!)
2. Go with a flatbed (been there with a 1600dpi Epson Perfection 1650.
Results not so great, but maybe things are improved now with the
current top-of-the-line flatbeds - Epson 4870, Canon 9950)
3. Scan each slide twice, with the 2nd scan at 90%. Hopefully some
clever software would be able to stitch the scans together. I imagine
there may be problems getting the exposures to match, though.
4. Find a 35mm scanner that can do the full width of a 126 slide. I
believe that the old Polaroid Sprintscan and the HP S20 could do this,
but I would prefer something that does ICE.

The old Polaroid SprintScan 35 would do that. It allowed a 35 mm mounted
transparency to be positioned in any orientation, so it will cover 36 mm
in any direction. While not as good as newer CCD film scanners, it is
still much better than any under $3000 flat bed scanner.

Has anyone tried 3? Do you know any software that could do the
stitching without having to mess around too much?

ArcSoft Panorama maker 3 is very easy to use, and low cost. However,
stitching with any software is much slower than just getting a good
original full size scan.

Preferably
something that could run as a macro; Having to do the scans twice
would be bad enough, but then having to repeat the stitching process
over and over would be a nightmare.

You could try scripting the software using features built into your
operating system, but offhand, I do not know anyone who makes a ready
made script that would accomplish that.

For the flatbed option, would the current top-of-the line scanners be
able to scan at the same level of quality (colour & sharpness) as the
Nikon LS-2000?The LS-2000 is my quality 'benchmark'.

No, despite whatever marketing claims the companies might make. While a
truly well done and expertly controlled scan off a low price flat scanner
might match a default setting poorly done film scan, once the film
scanner operator uses better software, or learned better setting choices,
then the flat scans do not hold up as well under comparison. In other
words, it takes more work and talent to make a scan from each type of
scanner look as good as a default scan from the next best technology.

Lastly, do any of the current range of 35mm scanners have the ability
to scan a full 126 slide?

Microtek bought out the Polaroid scanner division, and actually use to
make many of the older Polaroid scanners. You might want to check their
current line-up, or contact the company.

Many thanks,

JJ

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>

 

[CSM1]

The old Polaroid SprintScan 35 would do that. It allowed a 35 mm mounted
transparency to be positioned in any orientation, so it will cover 36 mm
in any direction. While not as good as newer CCD film scanners, it is
still much better than any under $3000 flat bed scanner.


ArcSoft Panorama maker 3 is very easy to use, and low cost. However,
stitching with any software is much slower than just getting a good
original full size scan.


You could try scripting the software using features built into your
operating system, but offhand, I do not know anyone who makes a ready
made script that would accomplish that.


No, despite whatever marketing claims the companies might make. While a
truly well done and expertly controlled scan off a low price flat scanner
might match a default setting poorly done film scan, once the film
scanner operator uses better software, or learned better setting choices,
then the flat scans do not hold up as well under comparison. In other
words, it takes more work and talent to make a scan from each type of
scanner look as good as a default scan from the next best technology.


Microtek bought out the Polaroid scanner division, and actually use to
make many of the older Polaroid scanners. You might want to check their
current line-up, or contact the company.


Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>

You also may check Ebay for any old Polaroid SprintScan 35 for sale.