Focus issues with Polaroid 120 and SF ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter frankg
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frankg

Q: Is there a known issue with SF Ai focusing the Polaroid 120 scanner? I
cant get an answer out of SF or their forum

I'm not consistantly getting good sharp scans. I cant establish a
pattern to the behaviour. The negs are pin sharp through a loupe but
scan soft. I know I have to apply sharpening after the scan (or during) but
this is different. Some film scans sharp and then just need that bit extra
sharpening, and others are really really soft although they're
actually sharp through a loupe.

I use Silverfast Ai 6.2.2 and have the little focus icon (looks like
an enlarger) on so it shows bold/dark and the 'crosshair' appears over the
prescan image. The firmware is up to date.

Could the focus mechanism inside be loose or the autofocus be out of
calibration ? Or maybe SF cant focus this scanner ?
Has anyone else had and solved this kind of problem?
Anyone know how to make the adjustment ? I'm pretty handy and could
take it on with a little instruction.

I did get help on a previous post regarding creating a
calibration/resolution/sharpness target but that too is not consistently
scanned and focused properly
 
Q: Is there a known issue with SF Ai focusing the Polaroid 120 scanner? I
cant get an answer out of SF or their forum

I'm not consistantly getting good sharp scans. I cant establish a
pattern to the behaviour. The negs are pin sharp through a loupe but
scan soft. I know I have to apply sharpening after the scan (or during) but
this is different. Some film scans sharp and then just need that bit extra
sharpening, and others are really really soft although they're
actually sharp through a loupe.

I use Silverfast Ai 6.2.2 and have the little focus icon (looks like
an enlarger) on so it shows bold/dark and the 'crosshair' appears over the
prescan image. The firmware is up to date.

Could the focus mechanism inside be loose or the autofocus be out of
calibration ? Or maybe SF cant focus this scanner ?
Has anyone else had and solved this kind of problem?
Anyone know how to make the adjustment ? I'm pretty handy and could
take it on with a little instruction.

I did get help on a previous post regarding creating a
calibration/resolution/sharpness target but that too is not consistently
scanned and focused properly
Click to expand...

Do a google search on "polaroid 120 scanner": there are a number of
posts commenting on sharpness problems, either on large format film
(flatness/holder problem), or using SilverFast. Suggestions were:
stick to 35mm film, and use Insight instead.
 
Q: Is there a known issue with SF Ai focusing the Polaroid 120 scanner? I
cant get an answer out of SF or their forum

I'm not consistantly getting good sharp scans. I cant establish a
pattern to the behaviour. The negs are pin sharp through a loupe but
scan soft. I know I have to apply sharpening after the scan (or during) but
this is different. Some film scans sharp and then just need that bit extra
sharpening, and others are really really soft although they're
actually sharp through a loupe.
Click to expand...

Sometimes the AF algorythm fails to achieve a proper focus.
Please try the "Preview" Manual Focus mode.
I know it's a bit awkyard at the beginning, but once you get a grip,
it's extremely effective.
Anyway,a known problem with the SS120 (I have one, too) is that
medium format film tends to curl under heat, and its 120 filmholders
are not very effective in keeping it flat. So it sometime happens that
if you achive a good focus at the center of the frame, the edges will
be not too sharp.

Fernando
 
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