Nick Carver: Comparison of Film Scanning Methods

Photographer, Nick Carver, compares three scanning methods for his 6x17 film.  He compares scanning both a negative and a slide, for a total of six scans.  He concludes with the easiest and quickest method for each type of film.  The three methods tested were:  a drum scan from a lab, a scan from a flatbed scanner and stiching shots from a still digital camera.

The results of the scans were then printed each to the same size print, and then the prints were compared.

Due to the rather wide nature of the frame used, stitching digital frames to get rhe full resolution was required.  This was a non-starter, so no surprise, this method did not win in this competition.  A more conventional format that conforms better to the sensor size of a digital camera may not require stitching, which might change the scenario.

Nick found that the quality of a drum scan can vary from lab to lab, so he took up an offer from another photographer with the equipment necessary, with spectacular results.  So your mileage with drum scans may vary depending on the lab.  Nick recommends Michael Strickland for his drum scanning.

Nick's Epson flatbed scans were wet mounted, a method that he recommends, using the Better Scanning fluid mount.

Checkout his full video with the methodology, results and conclusions, on Youtube, time that will be well spent for the hybrid film photographer: