BG> I've never had luck scanning 35mm negatives.  I don't have a film scanner
BG> designed specifically for that job, instead using an older Epson 1200 with
BG> a light lid.  It does OK, I think I've posted a few comparison pictures
BG> here on FONix back when we had an earlier discussion on the difference. The
BG> negative had greater detail in the shadows than I could get from scanning
BG> the drug store made print from it.  A film scanner would allow one to get
BG> very nice results from slides or negatives, however the cost is to great
BG> for a toy that would have limited use in my humble abode.

I'm very lucky - I've a good friend with a Nikon scannner.
Next time he goes off on vacation to Timbuktu I hope to move into 
his apartment with my negative files...

BG> -> I'm not saying we should all switch to silver halide, just that an old
BG> -> camera can still do things.

BG> Sure can.  I have several of them, even have color film in some of them, a
BG> couple of polaroids even.  Agree a nice 16x20 well ferrotyped Kodabromide
BG> print is indeed an awe inspiring sight.  One can appreciate the talent of
BG> the dark room mechanic who produced it only when seen up close and
BG> personal.

Not to mention the artistry of the guy who saw the scene and 
recognised the print that was hiding there.

BG> Now if I had an old 4x5 view back, then maybe for fun, expose a few sheets
BG> of film now and then. The files would be horrendous size if scanned to
BG> digitally capture all the detail present. The detail could never be seen
BG> over the web because the limitations of download time would make it a very
BG> rare occurrence when anyone, even with a high speed connections, would want
BG> to handle the 300 meg downloads. 

You'd need to already have quite an artistic reputation 
for anyone to invest that much time. 

BG> I don't know of a free web site house
BG> where one could even store that size picture for download. And if they did,
BG> monitor resolution would negate viewing the detail present in a whole.  To
BG> appreciate the quality of the image would require one with a very good
BG> printer and lots of skill to put it all together in the printing.

Anyone sell ferrocyanide ink?

BG> On high quality, I really enjoy taking my digital, sitting it on a tripod,
BG> then shooting 15 or so images while moving the camera just enough to
BG> capture a wide angle scene with a normal lens, then reassembling all those
BG> digitals back together in the computer to create a highly detailed image
BG> file of 80 to 100 megpixels when jpeg'ed.

Also needs a pretty good lens to avoid odd effects at the joins...

BG> -> BG>  asking yourself along the way, what is it that I like about this
BG> -> BG>  picture.  How did the photographer grab me this way.
BG> ->
BG> -> That's good advice for the younger set, but some of us grew up
BG> -> seeing nothing BUT monochrome prints - some of them outstanding.

BG> Chuckle.. I've seen and made a lot of them, I'm still learning though.

Aren't we all!

BG> -> I think a return to the absolute basics of composition (for a while)
BG> -> could benefit many modern snappers...

BG> Many don't understand what they are.  It easier to learn composition in an
BG> art class than with a camera. In an art class you can allow your self to
BG> create well composed things just for fun, with a camera, you can only
BG> create good composition through selectivity.  

Indeed - but first one has to understand what IS good composition.

BG> Harder to achieve when the
BG> subject is fleeting and the trigger finger is itchy.  

Rule Number One:  shoot first, compose later.

Sometimes that first perfect image NEVER presents itself again.
(Okay, I admit, often it wasn't *really* perfect!)

Grab it first, THEN try to improve the composition, 
adjust the exposure etc.

That's where digitals score, you can delete shots that didn't pan out.
But a bagfull of bulk-loaded film works almost as well.
And, if you pay attention to them, you can learn from your failures.

I've still got a couple of Shirley-Wellard reloadable cassettes 
and my tongue-cutting template, but the spool-loader seems to 
have vanished.   Dang.

BG> -> BG>  Just my opinions on the subject.  But then I look at old cars as
BG> -> BG>  difficult to steer, stop and keep running contraptions.  If your
BG> -> BG>  in it for the nostalgia, get the juice and trays, then
have a blast.
BG> ->
BG> -> LIS, it's way to refresh ones understanding of the artform
BG> -> of previous centuries...
BG> -> And a cheap way to use an old film camera.

BG> Agree with the first part, but have you priced B&W film lately.  Silver is
BG> more expensive than dye. 

That's just a matter of supply/demand - color film uses silver too...



Terry V.
---
 þ MM 1.1 #0367 þ "Bother," said Pooh, as he discovered Roo was marsupial.