Images scanned with Nikon Coolscan 5000ED not sharp!

[Bee Hedge]

Got myself a Nikon Coolscan 5000ED (...finally). However, the scanned images are not really that sharp. I wonder if there are some recommended settings I can use or if there's something wrong with my scanner.

I normally used the default settings:
1) Auto-focus
2) No ICE (coz I'm scanning B + W negatives)
3) Not sharpening or unsharp-masking.

Any tips or ideas to share?

[glchua]

I used a 4000ED for maybe 3+ years now. I think its quite similar to 5000ED.

The Nikon scanners have a very shallow depth of field. Its DOF is about +-3 focussing units. So you need to make sure that the film is flat and autofocus on a few points on the film to check.

I scan a lot of BW films too (HP5+) but I find that the scanner doesn't perform very well with BW, seems a little less sharp than C41 negs and slides.

[glchua]

I suggest maybe you find a nice and sharp slide of known quality to try and see if the image is sharp, or rather, enough resolution. All scanned images need a little sharpening (200% at radius of 1.5 in PS for me). Send it in if it still looks bad.

[Bee Hedge]

Thanks a lot glchua

How do u ensure that the films are really flat? I know Nikon scanners have an attachment to scan films that are a bit warped. Have u used that before?

[theITguy]

Mind if you share with me how much you spend on this machine?

[Bee Hedge]

I think I spent like $2200. Can'te quite remember the actual sum. Def more than $2K but less than $2.5K.

[glchua]

Originally Posted by Bee Hedge Thanks a lot glchua How do u ensure that the films are really flat? I know Nikon scanners have an attachment to scan films that are a bit warped. Have u used that before?

I do use the attachment and it actually is quite good. I normally flatten the film in its sleeve using a book before I put it in the attachment. Since I process my own BW now, I don't have sleeves and so I just mount them (plastic slide mounts) and flatten the mount and it usually gives me a very flat film.

[Bee Hedge]

I just placed an order for the FH-3 attachment . Actually, u can get the sleeves from Ruby or Cathay. I usually get the paper ones (the plastic ones are more ex). I develop my own B + W films too.

Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by glchua I do use the attachment and it actually is quite good. I normally flatten the film in its sleeve using a book before I put it in the attachment. Since I process my own BW now, I don't have sleeves and so I just mount them (plastic slide mounts) and flatten the mount and it usually gives me a very flat film.