Posted by Drew Fulton on November 6, 2010 at 5:40 PM
I finally decided to get around to scanning some of my 4x5 and 6x17 transparencies I took during my year in Australia in 2006-2007 that have been hiding in my shelf. Shortly after my return, I had decided I would do some wet mount scanning of these slides and then I never got around to it. I purchased the supplies, I think from Guy Tal, but I am feeling sort of hopeless on how to begin...
I currently have Aztek SMF2001 Scanner Mounting Fluid, Aztek Scanner Overlay Film, some Kami tape, and a spray bottle. I am also using a Microket 1800f and the glass tray insert for scanning.
I believe the basic process is as follows. Please correct me if I am wrong.
1) Spray glass tray with Mounting Fluid so it is thoroughly soaked.
2) Lay down film on tray as flat as possible.
3) Spray film with mounting fluid.
4) Place overlay film on top of film.
Now is where I get confused... Do I tape the overlay film? If I want to scan multiple images, do I use one large sheet or several small sheets. If I am cutting the sheet, how small do I cut it?
EDIT: If I am scanning a whole bunch in a row, do I need to clean the tray in between or just rewet it with the mounting fluid?
Afterwards, what do I do with the film? Do I need to clean it? Do I wipe it? What is the proper procedure before I return it to the PrintFile sleeves?
Drew, although I'm a long time scanner of 4x5 & 6x7 transparencies using a Microtek i900, I've yet to do any wet mount scanning. However, if my recall is correct I think Michael Gordon has done some experimenting in that arena. If you do not receive some input here, I would send an email to either Guy or Michael. I'm sure one or both maybe able to help you out.
Posted by Bill Stice on November 6, 2010 at 8:35 PM
Drew, there a very good section on scanning on the Large Format Photography forum at www.largeformatphotography.info. It is located in the digital section.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on November 18, 2010 at 10:04 AM
I would definitely not spray Kami fluid. The primary ingredient is Naptha, which is also the primary ingredient in lighter fluid. Besides that, it will probably eat through the seals in the spray pump in no time.
I pool the mounting fluid on the glass tray towards one end of where the photo will go on the glass. The pool should be about 3/4 - 1 inch across the length of the side of film you're mounting. Then I roll the photograph down onto the glass. This helps reduce bubbles compared to just trying to drop the film on the glass. Then I place a pool of fluid on top of each section of the film and roll the mylar overlay down. Wipe the mylar/glass edge with a PEC pad to remove any fluid that bleeds out, and then tape the sandwich shut with the kami tape.
In my opinion fluid mounting can be very beneficial to improving scan quality.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 1, 2010 at 8:16 PM
You know I missed a bunch of you other questions earlier.
First, before you scan brush the film with a clean anti-static brush and then hit it with either canned air or a blower to knock off as much fine dust/lint as possible.
Do I tape the overlay film?
Yes, you tape around the edges of the overlay.
If I want to scan multiple images, do I use one large sheet or several small sheets. If I am cutting the sheet, how small do I cut it?
I would make the overlay a little smaller than the glass tray. I would also recommend a mask to keep stray light from flaring in the scan.
If I am scanning a whole bunch in a row, do I need to clean the tray in between or just rewet it with the mounting fluid?
The mounting fluid will typically evaporate very quickly. However, I do find it necessary to clean residue from the tape off the glass after a few scans. The kami tape should not break down exposed to the mounting fluid. I'm just using some cheap clear tape. But clean glass equals less time on dust spotting in photoshop.
Afterwards, what do I do with the film? Do I need to clean it?
It depends. Try to get it out of the fluid as soon as possible. Aztek or Kami fluid shouldn't hurt the film, but they won't help it either. As soon as you get a good scan get the film out of the fluid and start drying it. don't leave it overnight. The fluid will evaporate very quickly and usually does not leave a residue. Some people are very particular about cleaning the film after scanning. PEC12 is usually the cleaner you'll want to use. But cleaning the film can soften the emulsion allowing debris to embed in the emulsion. Unless I've got some weird residue on the film, I do not clean it.
Do I wipe it? What is the proper procedure before I return it to the PrintFile sleeves?
If you clean it with PEC12 and PEC pads, yes. If you just let the fluid evaporate, then you generally don't want to touch it. Just hold it at an angle and let it evaporate, and then leave the film out for a while to ensure all the fluids have evaporated before placing in the sleeves.
Discussion
6 repliesI currently have Aztek SMF2001 Scanner Mounting Fluid, Aztek Scanner Overlay Film, some Kami tape, and a spray bottle. I am also using a Microket 1800f and the glass tray insert for scanning.
I believe the basic process is as follows. Please correct me if I am wrong.
1) Spray glass tray with Mounting Fluid so it is thoroughly soaked.
2) Lay down film on tray as flat as possible.
3) Spray film with mounting fluid.
4) Place overlay film on top of film.
Now is where I get confused... Do I tape the overlay film? If I want to scan multiple images, do I use one large sheet or several small sheets. If I am cutting the sheet, how small do I cut it?
EDIT: If I am scanning a whole bunch in a row, do I need to clean the tray in between or just rewet it with the mounting fluid?
Afterwards, what do I do with the film? Do I need to clean it? Do I wipe it? What is the proper procedure before I return it to the PrintFile sleeves?
Thanks for the help!!!
Best,
Drew
I pool the mounting fluid on the glass tray towards one end of where the photo will go on the glass. The pool should be about 3/4 - 1 inch across the length of the side of film you're mounting. Then I roll the photograph down onto the glass. This helps reduce bubbles compared to just trying to drop the film on the glass. Then I place a pool of fluid on top of each section of the film and roll the mylar overlay down. Wipe the mylar/glass edge with a PEC pad to remove any fluid that bleeds out, and then tape the sandwich shut with the kami tape.
In my opinion fluid mounting can be very beneficial to improving scan quality.
Example from my website
First, before you scan brush the film with a clean anti-static brush and then hit it with either canned air or a blower to knock off as much fine dust/lint as possible.
Do I tape the overlay film?
Yes, you tape around the edges of the overlay.
If I want to scan multiple images, do I use one large sheet or several small sheets. If I am cutting the sheet, how small do I cut it?
I would make the overlay a little smaller than the glass tray. I would also recommend a mask to keep stray light from flaring in the scan.
If I am scanning a whole bunch in a row, do I need to clean the tray in between or just rewet it with the mounting fluid?
The mounting fluid will typically evaporate very quickly. However, I do find it necessary to clean residue from the tape off the glass after a few scans. The kami tape should not break down exposed to the mounting fluid. I'm just using some cheap clear tape. But clean glass equals less time on dust spotting in photoshop.
Afterwards, what do I do with the film? Do I need to clean it?
It depends. Try to get it out of the fluid as soon as possible. Aztek or Kami fluid shouldn't hurt the film, but they won't help it either. As soon as you get a good scan get the film out of the fluid and start drying it. don't leave it overnight. The fluid will evaporate very quickly and usually does not leave a residue. Some people are very particular about cleaning the film after scanning. PEC12 is usually the cleaner you'll want to use. But cleaning the film can soften the emulsion allowing debris to embed in the emulsion. Unless I've got some weird residue on the film, I do not clean it.
Do I wipe it? What is the proper procedure before I return it to the PrintFile sleeves?
If you clean it with PEC12 and PEC pads, yes. If you just let the fluid evaporate, then you generally don't want to touch it. Just hold it at an angle and let it evaporate, and then leave the film out for a while to ensure all the fluids have evaporated before placing in the sleeves.
Mel-