Last week, I blogged about purchasing a new digital scanner for my film negatives. I had hoped that this new scanner – which involves capturing the photos on a miniature backlit light table with my cell phone, then using various software platforms to convert the negative into a positive – would improve my photography productivity and eliminate those nasty dust particles and little tiny decritus that can mar a great photo.
The scanner arrived yesterday. Yes, Amazon delivers on Sunday. Who knew?
A quick set up, and a few test shots. I started with this image of my old high school building, Street Academy of Albany, as the structure is now undergoing renovation for its new life as affordable apartments.
Yep. Trust me, the fence and the port-a-potties weren’t there during my high school years. You think the Albany City School District would have spared that kind of coin to provide those amenities for its students? Silly you.
Another shot, this time photographing down on Broadway. I’ve always taken pictures of the RCA “His Master’s Voice” dog Nipper, the statue that sits atop the former radio-television distribution center building. This time, however, I was in a position to capture Nipper against an exposed International Harvester truck sign from a nearby building.
Hmm. We’re getting there. I probably have to play a little with the color balance, but we’re making nice progress.
So it can handle 35mm film … how about we test out some 120 shots in medium format?
In goes a test shot from a couple of weeks ago that wasn’t previously scanned.
Well now. This gives some nice toning here.
Let me say this. This film-to-cell-phone scanner is a nice alternative to my flatbed scanner, and it’s a simple, down-and-dirty option when I need it. And from what I can tell, I see no nasty dust particles in these shots.
Don’t get me wrong – if I have time when my film gets developed, of course I’m going to have the pro lab burn a CD if they’re able. But no law says I can’t also use this option in a pinch.
Let’s keep going on this. 😀
Chuck The Writer 
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