A Random Scattering of Images

Sharper Scanning Using DIY Spacer Bars. What would you say if...

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:28:39 +0800

Sharper Scanning Using DIY Spacer Bars.

What would you say if ALL your photos were out of focus, especially in the centre?

”$#/&!!!!”

I cursed. First I cursed my inability to focus, then I cursed my lens and next, I cursed my rangefinder accuracy. When I realised my new $800 scanner was the culprit, I freaked out. I discovered this because my EPSON GT-X970 (V750 Pro) wasn’t producing scans as nearly sharp as much my much cheaper Canon 8800F from 2007.

The problem is primarily due to the poor quality of the flimsy film holders. Even the 35mm film holders will not hold the film straight. Medium format is hopeless. The film sags down at the centre, unless pressed flat under a pile of books.

This inaccuracy is exacerbated by the EPSON’s large-aperture optical scanning sensor. It is intended to allow higher optical resolution by avoiding diffraction limitations, but it has the undesirable effect of reducing the depth of field, so when the film sags down, it is no longer in the focal plane, exactly 3mm above the platen. The impact is huge, as you can see from the scans above.

I looked into buying an after-market film holder, but then I realised all I needed was a tiny stick. I bought a strip of 3mmx2mm basswood from a hobby store for half a dollar, cut it to 18-ish mm long and painted it black, but anything will do. A bit of bamboo skewer, some light seal foam, or a folded strip of card would do nicely.

The stick is stuck across the film holder, under the film as shown in the photo above. It holds the film flat and stops it sagging. Only one or two are needed per film strip. One goes in the middle, the other goes at the end if there is a loose end.

The scans above have been converted to JPG from the uncompressed 16-bit monochrome TIFF files from the scanner, but are otherwise unsharpened and the tone curves have not been adjusted. The top picture is a 100% centre-crop. You might notice that some distortion has also been avoided. Some tuning of the film holder height may yield even sharper scans.

Film for the Digital Photographer –...

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:53:21 +0800

Film for the Digital Photographer – Cameras

http://japancamerahunter.com/2013/05/film-for-the-digital-photographer-cameras-by-dan-k/

The second in a series of my articles on Japan Camera Hunter about film photography for digital photographers.

japancamerahunter: Shooting Film AND Digital by Dan K The...

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:08:16 +0800

japancamerahunter:

Shooting Film AND Digital by Dan K

The first in a series of my articles on Japan Camera Hunter about film photography for digital photographers.

My article: What’s in my camera...

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:06:28 +0800

My article: What’s in my camera ‘bag’.

Published on Japan Camera Hunter

http://japancamerahunter.tumblr.com/

http://japancamerahunter.com/2012/08/in-your-bag-226-dan-k/

The Dude

Mon, 06 May 2013 17:08:56 +0800

The Dude

“Should we be concerned?”

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:43:23 +0800

“Should we be concerned?”

Still+Motion

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:17:03 +0800

Still+Motion

Police Line

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:09:41 +0800

Police Line

“So he hid it, in the one place he knew he could hide...

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:54:09 +0800

“So he hid it, in the one place he knew he could hide something: his ass. Five long years, he wore this lens up his ass. Then when he died of dysentery, he gave me the lens. I hid this uncomfortable piece of metal up my ass for two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the lens to you”

… and he describes it on eBay as “Great condition; lovingly cared for”. I shake my head.

Morgan’s Barn Mead. Deep golden cinnamon cyser

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:59:00 +0800

Morgan’s Barn Mead. Deep golden cinnamon cyser

Equality; even between cameras. Top: Minolta 7SII. Bottom:...

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:36:54 +0800

Equality; even between cameras. Top: Minolta 7SII. Bottom: Olympus 35 RC.

Original artwork. Rights: Image free to use as an avatar.

Airing one’s clean laundry in a dirty street. From a...

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:03:44 +0800

Airing one’s clean laundry in a dirty street. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Morning Paper. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:03:01 +0800

Morning Paper. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Transport. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:02:00 +0800

Transport. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Pushing Through.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:01:36 +0800

Pushing Through.

The Head Turners. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:00:42 +0800

The Head Turners. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Propane Deliveryman. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:59:10 +0800

Propane Deliveryman. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

The Grandmaster. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:58:07 +0800

The Grandmaster. From a photowalk with @erickimphoto.

Banyan Tree

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:34:48 +0800

Banyan Tree

Hong Kong Golf Club 270 degree stitched film panorama. IR false...

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:55:53 +0800

Hong Kong Golf Club 270 degree stitched film panorama. IR false colour to highlight vegetation in red & magenta hues