[222mhz] [Packrats] Old Negative conversion?

[George Gadbois]

Hi Bert,
 
Coe Camera Shop in downtown Lancaster is set up to scan prints or negatives
and convert them to digital format.  The price depends on the resolution you
require.  I have had them do some old negatives for me.  They can take large
photos or negatives.  I'll send some samples of their work separately.
 
I think you can buy a scanner especially suited for color slides that would
save you a lot money if you have a large number to convert.  Perhaps some
Packrat has one.
 
I have an HP multifunction scanner/printer that does a very good job if you
don't need to blow the image up a lot.
 
I have a Beseler photographic enlarger that I would like to sell.  I do not
see myself ever doing wet chemical photo processing again. 
 
73,
 
George
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: packrats-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:packrats-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of The Soltoff's
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 12:04 PM
To: Pack Rat Reflector; 222 MHz Reflector
Subject: [Packrats] Old Negative conversion?



In true Packrat, I rarely (if ever) throw anything out.  Recently, while
looking for some old prints, I found my (large) box of old negatives
(remember them, before the world went digital?).  Some of them even go back
to the old 2 x 3-1/2 black and white image negatives

 

I knew that I had been saving them, in hopes of someday wanting to convert
them to digital format to be able to print or view as a slide-show.  Well,
that day is here.

 

I'm looking for a way (hopefully quick, cheap and easy) to convert these
negative images to positives, in digital files.

 

The only thing I can think of to do the picture inversion is to use a
printing enlarger (or slide projector, since many are 35mm) projector to
invert, then photograph the projected image.  In fact I acquired a printing
projector a number of years ago in anticipation of starting the task.  But
it would be lots of work (individually loading each negative image), and
probably wouldn't yield the resolution that I'm looking for. It also
wouldn't accommodate the non-35mm negatives.

 

I figure that someone in the Packrat fraternity either has done this task,
or has a good suggestion on how to proceed.

 

All suggestions are welcome.

 

Thanks,

 

K3IUV, Bert