Can you scan negatives with a regular scanner?

[Jon Shiu]

I didnt know if it could be done either, but after developing my first 8x10's in a few years the other night I couldnt wait for the next day to print them. I woke at 3 AM, scanned em and fiddled around with the color balance a bit and got an acceptable preview. I couldnt get them perfect, but acceptable. Before fiddling, they came out rather green. I was going to ask a similar question, to see if there some standard correction I can apply but I'm pretty sure there isnt.

Well, if they are green, why not change the mode to b&w? For corrections, try the eyedroppers in levels/curves in photoshop or try autolevels or autocontrast.

[Thomas Bertilsson]

For two years, I have scanned my negatives by taping them with 3M post-it notes to a portable light table (which must have a continuous light source powered by DC voltage, or the 60 cycle current will display), and putting it directly on the flatbed. I always scan with the emulsion side down, as that eliminates most of the Newton rings. It works better than just a white background, but is a bit of a hassle.
I have never damaged any of my negs this way. I have scanned some 4x5 negs, and printed them in d%*^*%al minilabs with fine results up to 8x10. Nowhere near the quality of an optical print, of course.
I should also mention that I scan them as color files, and then desaturate them. This gives much better results, in my humble opinion.
I use the scanning to determine whether the neg is worth printing or not. Kind of like a contact sheet of sorts, and for that purpose it works great.

[RichSBV]

IS this 'analog'? ;-)

Anyway, a very accpable way to scan negs without a transparancy adapter, and way above just using a white reflector is tyo use a light pad. I reasearched this when I first got my 8x10 and had no way to print or scan. I bought an inexpensive daylight balanced flourescent light pad. Simply place the neg on the scanner bed, place the light pad on top of that, leave the cover open, then scan.

It's still not as good as a transparency adapter, but it beats the heck out of a simple white reflector, as I tried doing that first...

[Ole]

IS this 'analog'? ;-)

Agreed. Moved to "Gray Area".

BTW, my scanner is an old AGFA Duoscan. Scans prints and film up to 8x10" without modifications. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for one - they are discontinued, so all are second-hand.

[Ralf]

So, it won’t damage my negatives?

Jon.

Scanning won't damage your negatives, never. However, with 35mm on a flatbed scanner you will not get good results, especially not without a light lid. For 35mm negatives it is recommended to use a film scanner, if this is an option regarding cost.