Mac OS 9 Lives

Classic Mac OS Software => Photo/Image/Graphics Viewing & Editing => Topic started by: Europa on March 07, 2019, 06:59:51 PM

Title: Film Scanning on Mac OS 9
Post by: Europa on March 07, 2019, 06:59:51 PM
I recently gained access to an Epson Perfection 1650 scanner to use for film scanning. I downloaded the CD from The Macintosh Garden and I was wondering if the included software had provisions for film scanning and what software people would recommend for use for film scanning. Preferably I would be able to scan the entire strip and it would automatically split them up for me.

CD I downloaded: http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/epson-12501650-scanner-installation-cd

Thanks! :)
Title: Re: Film Scanning on Mac OS 9
Post by: GaryN on March 07, 2019, 11:06:40 PM
I used to have a 1660 Photo.
As I recall, you need a couple of things:
Either the 1650 has to be a 1650 PHOTO model or, if a "plain" 1650, an unobtanium accessory backlight that attaches to the cover.
A film / slide holder - not absolutely necessary for all-manual scanning but it's really hard to keep a strip of film centered and straight without it.

AFAIK, there is no auto-scan software / driver for those units that will do what you want. The scanner has limited external control so locating, defining edges, balancing different exposures from frame to frame etc. is not possible.

TWO caveats:
1. I'm not 100% certain there's no such software BUT I DO do know there is NO automated Epson Scan version and I was never able to find any other app that would do that either.
2. That all said, my 1660 (which probably had the exact same engine as the 1650) was a damn good unit in its day. It was amazing with transparencies and even a 35mm color neg straight to TIFF was pretty slick - as long as you didn't get greedy and try to print larger than say, 4 x 5.

My CD doesn't have the operating manual on it (Epson genius) but they are all still online even now.

https://epson.com/Support/Scanners/Perfection-Series/Epson-Perfection-1650/s/SPT_B11B146021#manuals
Title: Re: Film Scanning on Mac OS 9
Post by: Europa on March 08, 2019, 08:48:19 AM
Ok, thank you. It has the film scanning attachment and the film strip/slide holder. Thanks for the link and information.
Title: Re: Film Scanning on Mac OS 9
Post by: Mat on May 18, 2020, 04:55:12 PM
I have a Nikon Coolscan III that does exactly that, batchprocessing of an entire strip (negative or Dia), The strip gets loaded automatically and the scanner is stepping from one part of the strip to the next one. There should evne be a hardware addon for processing a complete uncutted strip. Perhaps the software works with other scanners as well?