Wow, I have watched a handful of videos on how to scan Polaroids and this video has the best advice BY FAR. I have never even heard of using museum glass before. Brilliant.
Glad to hear it!! I needed something that was perfect for a project with Soft Grain Books, and had to get everything just right. Glad it was helpful for you!
I see you had the digital ice turned on with the epson? Did you try turning it off? I vaguely remember its more designed for film and although it works with prints it may remove dust from prints by bulldozing grain and fine detail in general. I find I have to be careful with epson settings and in general its better with epson to turn off as many extra features as possible and do any changes later in a photo editor if you are planning to zoom in and compare.
That's a good point! So for the video, I ran through it fairly quickly and forgot to uncheck Digital Ice. The images that I showed in the end were scanned without the use of Digital Ice - because I never use that on film or Polaroids for that exact reason. In the end, the difference between the Epson scan and the Digital Camera scans were fairly minor. I still think the digital camera wins, but if you already have the Epson scanner, or don't have a digital camera, then the Epson does a good enough job for the most part. The only real problem can be the Newton rings.
Hi! Do you know what the white pattern is on the left and right border of your Polaroid? Specifically at 1:39 ? I get this fairly regularly and its really bugging me!
Hi Luke, I honestly don't know! I think it's an issue from the factory, because I've seen these happen on Polaroids that weren't exposed. I've also found they're much more common on B&W Polaroids than color.
I wonder if, with the Epson scanner, the focus distance was not optimal. Perhaps if you raised the polaroid a millimeter or two you'd hit the sharpest focus and it would compare more favorably with the DSLR.
That's entirely possible. I think the Epson actually did extremely well. It's not quite as sharp as DSLR, but most certainly it's usably sharp. I find in general DSLR scanning is superior, though. I was never able to get the results I wanted with an Epson scanner.
Hi there! i am trying to scan an instax mini picture and i'm convinced that the best results would come from a high megapixel camera i was wondering which camera you used? loved this video
I have to use a longer shutter speed because there's little available light the way I set it up to avoid reflections. So when using ISO 100, and an aperture of f/7.1 to to get a larger depth of field. So often my shutter speed is between 1 second and 20 seconds (if it's dark). A remote shutter release is definitely a good idea when scanning this way! I usually use my phone to connect to my Sony camera.
That's a good question! The V850 should produce better and faster results. But I've never been able to justify spending the money to test it. I think for Polaroids it would do great, though, especially since you can dial in the focus a bit easier with that model from what I understand.
The 80D is a fantastic camera - you can definitely use it to get good scans! Without a macro lens you will need to be further away, so you'll have to crop the image in a fair bit, but the images will still be good quality with that 85mm lens. Over time, I'd suggest looking for the Canon 100mm macro f2.8 macro with the gold ring, or the Sigma art 70mm f/2.8 (which I personally use) - which are both quite affordable on the used market.
What Polaroid camera are you using for these photos? I’m pretty new to it and I’ve gotten some photos that have looked fantastic and some where the lighting on things is inconsistent. Do you have videos detailing different techniques and rules of thumb for taking good photos with one?
For these photos I was using SX-70 cameras. One original Sonar camera, and another that was modified by MiNT camera in Hong Kong to shoot 600 film and have control over the shutter speed. The MiNT camera is much more expensive, but has been so worth it for me since I love doing close up work like this that's much harder without having control over the settings. And yeah! I have a video on that as well! It's called How to Take Better Polaroids, and has a photo of a sunflower on the cover.
I usually use 1600 Dpi, and 16-bit color tif. I always found this to be a sweet spot for image size and detail in the scan. It can go higher in the DPI category, but I always found it added bulk (sometimes a single file could be 1gb) without getting more details.
I was on the same boat of buying the Epson V600 scanner. I had never thought of scanning the Polaroids with a DSLR. I have a Canon 7D + Sigma 105 mm f2.8 HSM Macro + Manfrotto tripod. I think I am going to give it a try to my equipment before buying the scanner. Thanks for the idea!
@@oswaldo9641 That's a great kit! Should give you some good results for sure. I do highly recommend picking up a piece of anti-reflective glass from a framing store - it's a substantial help.
With the app you are supposed to use it on an angle so that you do not get the reflection and it will adjust the perspective. I attached a link to the video for the app as it doesn't really have a tutorial in the app. th-cam.com/video/i8AH4s-GyRI/w-d-xo.html Its works decent to quick share a picture but that is about it. I found your video and the framing glass trick to be the best for me as I have a FB scanner.
That's a good point. The problem I always found was that I needed a pretty extreme angle to get an image without a reflection on it, and then the distortion correction ruined the image quality. It works in a pinch, but it's far from an ideal situation. Glad to hear the framing glass helped! How much did it cost you to pick up a piece?
@@LearnFilmPhotography Yea as I said the APP works ok for a quick share but quality wise it is lacking on the auto correct.... The framing glass I got for free.. It was actually a large broken piece, 3 large pieces, but once cut to proper smaller squares worked out perfect for my purposes... Never be afraid to dumpster dive LOL!!
@@joeduszynski4109 that's amazing!! It cost me $45 for a 5x5 square last time I went in and asked. So that's amazing you were able to find it that way!
@@LearnFilmPhotographyI asked about seconds and broken bits and they had just thrown out a botched up pane and said it was still in the tip so I fished it out!! Not like I needed a large piece!! It never hurts to ask and be cheap!
Nice video! I found by reducing the brightness setting of the epson v600 by -20 I was able to retain the detail/texture in the frame.
Awesome! That's good to hear! And does that affect the rest of the image?
@@LearnFilmPhotography Not noticeably besides the frame. I’m very happy with the scans I’ve been getting after changing that setting.
Thanks for sharing that! I'll pin this so other people can see and try it out themselves.
I just bought sx70. I searched all the internet. This channel is the most professional. Learn a lot. Thanks for sharing your intellect.
Thanks for that, glad to help!
Wow, I have watched a handful of videos on how to scan Polaroids and this video has the best advice BY FAR. I have never even heard of using museum glass before. Brilliant.
Glad to hear it!! I needed something that was perfect for a project with Soft Grain Books, and had to get everything just right. Glad it was helpful for you!
Got myself the Doxie scanner after watching this. Thanks
Awesome! Let me know how it turns out!
I see you had the digital ice turned on with the epson? Did you try turning it off? I vaguely remember its more designed for film and although it works with prints it may remove dust from prints by bulldozing grain and fine detail in general. I find I have to be careful with epson settings and in general its better with epson to turn off as many extra features as possible and do any changes later in a photo editor if you are planning to zoom in and compare.
That's a good point! So for the video, I ran through it fairly quickly and forgot to uncheck Digital Ice. The images that I showed in the end were scanned without the use of Digital Ice - because I never use that on film or Polaroids for that exact reason.
In the end, the difference between the Epson scan and the Digital Camera scans were fairly minor. I still think the digital camera wins, but if you already have the Epson scanner, or don't have a digital camera, then the Epson does a good enough job for the most part. The only real problem can be the Newton rings.
Hi! Do you know what the white pattern is on the left and right border of your Polaroid? Specifically at 1:39 ? I get this fairly regularly and its really bugging me!
Hi Luke, I honestly don't know! I think it's an issue from the factory, because I've seen these happen on Polaroids that weren't exposed. I've also found they're much more common on B&W Polaroids than color.
@@LearnFilmPhotography brilliant thanks for the reply :)
No problem, are you seeing these on your Polaroids often?
I wonder if, with the Epson scanner, the focus distance was not optimal. Perhaps if you raised the polaroid a millimeter or two you'd hit the sharpest focus and it would compare more favorably with the DSLR.
That's entirely possible. I think the Epson actually did extremely well. It's not quite as sharp as DSLR, but most certainly it's usably sharp. I find in general DSLR scanning is superior, though. I was never able to get the results I wanted with an Epson scanner.
This video is amazing. Thanks for doing these tests! Just 1 question- what camera did you use to take these images?
Glad you found it helpful! These were taken with a Polaroid SX-70 modified by MiNT for manual control and 600 film conversion.
Convinced me to get the Epson scanner tomorrow😃
Hi there! i am trying to scan an instax mini picture and i'm convinced that the best results would come from a high megapixel camera i was wondering which camera you used? loved this video
Glad to hear the video helped! I use a Sony A7III with a Sigma Art Macro lens to scan Polaroids and Fuji Instax.
Why do you say it takes such a long shutter speed when using a DSLR? Would using a remote shutter button help with this? Thanks for the info!!
I have to use a longer shutter speed because there's little available light the way I set it up to avoid reflections. So when using ISO 100, and an aperture of f/7.1 to to get a larger depth of field. So often my shutter speed is between 1 second and 20 seconds (if it's dark). A remote shutter release is definitely a good idea when scanning this way! I usually use my phone to connect to my Sony camera.
Great comparison and content overall! how about the V850. Would it render sharper scans you think?
That's a good question! The V850 should produce better and faster results. But I've never been able to justify spending the money to test it. I think for Polaroids it would do great, though, especially since you can dial in the focus a bit easier with that model from what I understand.
Very helpful and clear. Even better, it results in me not buying an extra puece of gear since I have a good macro lens.
Awesome! That's great to hear! I sold my scanner after doing this test - there wasn't much use for it once I had the system down.
Very helpful! Appreciate it.
would I be able to get good scans with a canon80d? and with a prime lens 85mm?
without the macro by the way
The 80D is a fantastic camera - you can definitely use it to get good scans! Without a macro lens you will need to be further away, so you'll have to crop the image in a fair bit, but the images will still be good quality with that 85mm lens. Over time, I'd suggest looking for the Canon 100mm macro f2.8 macro with the gold ring, or the Sigma art 70mm f/2.8 (which I personally use) - which are both quite affordable on the used market.
What Polaroid camera are you using for these photos? I’m pretty new to it and I’ve gotten some photos that have looked fantastic and some where the lighting on things is inconsistent. Do you have videos detailing different techniques and rules of thumb for taking good photos with one?
For these photos I was using SX-70 cameras. One original Sonar camera, and another that was modified by MiNT camera in Hong Kong to shoot 600 film and have control over the shutter speed. The MiNT camera is much more expensive, but has been so worth it for me since I love doing close up work like this that's much harder without having control over the settings.
And yeah! I have a video on that as well! It's called How to Take Better Polaroids, and has a photo of a sunflower on the cover.
@@LearnFilmPhotography awesome thank you! Great videos by the way!!
No problem at all, and glad you're enjoying them!
Very helpful. Thank you.
No problem at all! Polaroids are so dang tricky to scan!
Great video! It was really helpfull
Glad it could help!
I was the 1k subscriber!!!
Thanks! That's awesome!
What settings did you use when scanning the Epson?
I usually use 1600 Dpi, and 16-bit color tif. I always found this to be a sweet spot for image size and detail in the scan. It can go higher in the DPI category, but I always found it added bulk (sometimes a single file could be 1gb) without getting more details.
i was so convinced to buy the epson till i saw the dslr comparison :(
The Epson is still fantastic! It's actually a little bit easier to use, and probably a bit faster, too.
I was on the same boat of buying the Epson V600 scanner. I had never thought of scanning the Polaroids with a DSLR. I have a Canon 7D + Sigma 105 mm f2.8 HSM Macro + Manfrotto tripod. I think I am going to give it a try to my equipment before buying the scanner. Thanks for the idea!
@@oswaldo9641 That's a great kit! Should give you some good results for sure. I do highly recommend picking up a piece of anti-reflective glass from a framing store - it's a substantial help.
With the app you are supposed to use it on an angle so that you do not get the reflection and it will adjust the perspective. I attached a link to the video for the app as it doesn't really have a tutorial in the app.
th-cam.com/video/i8AH4s-GyRI/w-d-xo.html
Its works decent to quick share a picture but that is about it.
I found your video and the framing glass trick to be the best for me as I have a FB scanner.
That's a good point. The problem I always found was that I needed a pretty extreme angle to get an image without a reflection on it, and then the distortion correction ruined the image quality. It works in a pinch, but it's far from an ideal situation. Glad to hear the framing glass helped! How much did it cost you to pick up a piece?
@@LearnFilmPhotography Yea as I said the APP works ok for a quick share but quality wise it is lacking on the auto correct....
The framing glass I got for free.. It was actually a large broken piece, 3 large pieces, but once cut to proper smaller squares worked out perfect for my purposes... Never be afraid to dumpster dive LOL!!
@@joeduszynski4109 that's amazing!! It cost me $45 for a 5x5 square last time I went in and asked. So that's amazing you were able to find it that way!
@@LearnFilmPhotographyI asked about seconds and broken bits and they had just thrown out a botched up pane and said it was still in the tip so I fished it out!! Not like I needed a large piece!! It never hurts to ask and be cheap!