4 by 5 glass negatives

[thecatspajamas]

To my knowledge, the only non-commercial desktop scanners capable of handling large format negatives are the Epson 4990 and Epson V700 (and possibly the V750 which I think is a slight update of the V700). I don't think any of them are made any more, but you can pick them up frequently on eBay in the $300-400 range. The last time I was researching scanner options for some 8x10 negatives that I had was about 3 years ago, so I guess it's possible something could have come out since that I'm not aware of, but at that time most others would only handle up to 2-1/2" width negatives or transparencies, if even that.

I think Mark (lordstan) had some limited success with scanning some large format negatives in multiple strips and then using Photoshop or something similar to merge/stitch them together. It seems like a pretty labor-intensive process, especially if you have to scan very many, but if you're just doing a handful it might be worth trying as opposed to buying another scanner.

Hearing so many people having problems scanning their newly-acquired negatives makes me think I should start a large-format negative scanning service

[Michael B]

With all the talk about scanners I thought that I would chime in. Many of the 'consumer' flatbed scanners do not have the capability to scan larger negatives. I have an Epson V330 Photo scanner. It is a standard flatbed scanner that has the ability, when you remove the masking plate, to scan transparencies and 35mm negative strips. It cost about $100. I use an older scanner program Ulead Photo Express for my scanning. It is a 32 bit program that I had adapted to my computer when I upgraded. It is a very simple program for cropping and adjusting (turning, adusting brightness, etc).

I also own a photographic scanner. These are designed for use with transparencies (slides) and negatives of all sizes. It has holders for 35mm negatives, slides and 2x2 negatives. You can also place any larger negative directly on the flatbed. I have placed 4x5 glass plates, 4x5 and 8x10 acetate negatives on it and it works great for that. These scanners generally come with their own program for pre-scanning, to preview and adjust before full scan and the silverfast with digital ICE program which will automatically remove scratches. These can be purchased from camera stores like B&H and Adorama in New York City. One of these should cost less than $500. Mine was near top of the line 5 years ago at $350 and it still works great.

Below are two scans. The first is a slide using the consumer scanner. This image is the end of the race before the famous Tommy Smith / John Carlos protest at the 1968 Olympics. The second one is a silde using the pro scanner (I took this photo in Australia).

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

I think Mark (lordstan) had some limited success with scanning some large format negatives in multiple strips and then using Photoshop or something similar to merge/stitch them together. It seems like a pretty labor-intensive process, especially if you have to scan very many, but if you're just doing a handful it might be worth trying as opposed to buying another scanner.

Lance is correct in his recollection. I scanned a few larger Lou Gehrig negative I have on a scanner which is made to only do smaller negatives. I did this by scanning the negatives in 2 parts vertically. I then aligned and pasted them together in photoshop.
Here is the thread it was discussed in. My posts on this specific issue, including the resulting images, start at post 52.
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=166260
Hopes that help
Mark

[bmarlowe1]

Scott - great items. All I can add is that your Hooks Dauss is not Hooks Dauss.

[SAllen2556]

Well, it seems you're correct! The envelopes are all labeled so I thought they were correct. How about this one?



Here are some others. I have the names - but not at the moment













Walter Johnson:

[cubsguy1969]

Those are great images. Thanks for sharing.

[billyb]

Scott,
Great photos, that looks like Dauss in a couple more shots above.

[thecatspajamas]

Very nice! Boggles my mind that these were just going to be thrown out. Just goes to show the "utilitarian" mindset with regard to photos of many publications that persists even today.

Michael, when you say "photographic scanner" what model specifically are you speaking of? It sounds very much like the Epson 4990 that I currently use (though I'm considering picking up a V700 as I just learned that it has about a 50% higher top-end scanning resolution). I'm just wondering if you've found another comparable model that I am not aware of.

[bmarlowe1]

The first (and I believe the 7th photo) you just posted are Dauss.