Ray Calvo

This was initiated by me trying to digitally scan the photos I took down at the Daytona 24 hr race(one shot I took of the 24 minute historic parade lap is attached for your amusement).

I am still shooting with 35mm film. I also scan in the negatives using a film scanner (Canoscan FS4000) to create a digital image.

I have increasingly noticed a lot of dirt/dust on the negatives I pick up from my processor when I scan the negatives. This is Kodak processing, sent out from a local camera store. The Canoscan has a feature to eliminate dust, but on a number of negatives it gave up. I am trying to figure out if this dirt is caused by Kodak processing, or if I have some problem with my camera (Canon A1). These are not scratches, but dirt embedded in the negatives (can see them with a strong magnifying glass or an eye loupe).

Was wondering what the experiences of the board is. If it is the processor, you have any good recommendations for film processors besides Kodak?

Robert Henriksen

Do you have a can of compressed air to blast the negatives/slides before scanning? That seems to be a fixture around photo pros.

Running an air hose into the house from the garage compressor is NOT recommended

red targa

Ray, in case you have a lot of negatives with this kind of problem, maybe you should give the Nikon scanners a try, or test it out

It comes with Applied Science Fiction's Digital ICE?(TM) Image Enhancement Technology incorporating Digital ICE(TM), Digital ROC(TM) and Digital GEM(TM), and does pretty good job cleaning up scratches and dusts.

A friend of mine gets excellent results from his Nikon film scanner.

I am not sure whether you can get the software directly from Applied Science Fiction or not.

maurice97C2S

Never had any joy with Kodak processing - find a professional photog's lab - will cost 50% more but the results will be 100% better.

Cheers, Maurice

SundayDriver

[quote]Originally posted by maurice97C2S:
<strong>Never had any joy with Kodak processing - find a professional photog's lab - will cost 50% more but the results will be 100% better.

Cheers, Maurice </strong><hr></blockquote>

I agree. Anytime I have had 'valuable' film, I have used a custom lab - processed on site, more expensive and you get what you pay for.

bet

I have had some really bad experiences with Kodak processing lately. On my recent honeymoon I shot about 10 rolls of print film and slides. I used the last of my favorite print film (that had been stored in the frig) can't find anymore. I spent the extra money on Kodak processing and got back pictures that the color was way off with a note that the film had been damaged by heat or age and that they had tried to correct the color and exposure. I was <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> to say the least. Well, I still had half a roll in my camera and I went on a PCA drive and shot the rest. I then took the film to a one hour place just to see what it would look like.....low and behold I had vivid bright colors even on the shots from the trip. (Note the camera was stored in the back of my Boxster during the trip which can get very hot).

To cut my long winded story short, Ray you should try getting your film developed at a local shop just for fun along with sending a roll or so off to one of the private photo labs. This may help you determine wether or not the dust is coming from inside your camera or if it is getting there during processing.

Another thought to consider is the film you are using. Is it always the same? Is the date current? etc.

A different scanner may solve your short term problem but there is no excuse for having dust specs embedded on your negatives.

STLPCA

Ray
If you've got dirt/dust embedded in the negatives, generally that could only happen when the emulsion is wet - during processing. Commercial processors (Kodak included) process in strips (as opposed to "old time" reels) in a supposedly dust controlled environment. Only other explanation could be a bad batch of film, but it's unlikely if it's across different rolls.

I would contact Kodak directly. The Kodak Information Center (9 am - 7 pm M-F) # is 1-800-242-2424.

Ray Calvo

Thanks for the hints.

I tried a lens cleaner brush/squeegie bulb; no luck. Tried cleaning with lens cleaner fluid and a lens cleaning tissue also; no luck (I know you're not supposed to touch negatives/slides with anything, but figured it was worth a try).

RE Nikon recommendation: the Canoscan has a system called FARE which (from reports) does an equal or superior job to the ICE technology Nikon and others use. It has worked very well on other negatives I have scanned and on Ektachrome slides even dating back to Korean War era (Dad was kind of into photography too). No luck on Kodachrome - similar to ICE.

Looks like I should try a local lab. Was also thinking about B&H Photo recommendation on A&I Photo Lab but the shipping charge per mailer is as much as the mailer price!

<a href="http://www02.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=CatalogActivator__Acatalog_html___CatID=2720___SID=E C1860D0590" target="_blank">B&H Photo - A & I Lab Services</a>