Recommendations for 4x5 B&W scanning service

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the_accidental

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I’ve finally located my late father’s “good” 4x5 negatives, about 700 of them, mostly black and white.

So far, my thoughts are I could review on a light box then use my macro lens to “scan” selected ones, but honestly there are hundreds I’d still select.

If I could pay to get them all done professionally that would be ideal - anyone have personal recommendations?

The negatives are all individually in sleeves, in the original film boxes of 50. Ideally somewhere would process them like that and return the same.

I know this won’t be a cheap endeavour!
 
The only lab I've spotted so far that will scan already-processed 4x5 frames is Jack's Lab, that I've not heard of before. See https://jackslab.co/collections/sca...can-already-processed-negatives-single-frames . £4 a frame.

From my small experience retro-scanning a few of my late father's 120 negatives, part of the problem of shipping them off for bulk scans is that a surprisingly large fraction are either rubbish (eg out of focus) or of no interest. Some of the latter might be worth scanning at low res in case you can later work out that the figures are your long lost aunts from Italy or whatever. A few are priceless, worth scanning well at any price. But you won't know that until you see them. Also, the few clues you can get from any packaging information, sequence etc (priceless metadata!) are completely lost if you send them away. So from my point of view, doing it yourself is a much better option, if long term.

Given the state of the current scanning equipment, I'd suggest that a flatbed scanner would be a decent option, but you have to go fairly high end for decent 4x5 (Epson V800/850 or similar). There's also quite a bit of faff involved in mounting, placing, doing the pre-scan, final scan etc. If you already have a decent mirrorless or DSLR camera, and especially if you have a decent macro lens, then I reckon you'd get better throughput and better quality feedback, by using camera scanning. Even more so if you've a space you can dedicate to the task, leaving it set up for weeks or longer, to return to when you have a few moments.

EDIT: apologies for not re-reading your OP before replying: you clearly said not only that these are the 700 "good" negatives, but also that you had camera and macro lens! My apologies. Some of the other guff I wrote above may still be useful, though.
 
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ChrisR said:
The only lab I've spotted so far that will scan already-processed 4x5 frames is Jack's Lab, that I've not heard of before. See https://jackslab.co/collections/sca...can-already-processed-negatives-single-frames . £4 a frame.

From my small experience retro-scanning a few of my late father's 120 negatives, part of the problem of shipping them off for bulk scans is that a surprisingly large fraction are either rubbish (eg out of focus) or of no interest. Some of the latter might be worth scanning at low res in case you can later work out that the figures are your long lost aunts from Italy or whatever. A few are priceless, worth scanning well at any price. But you won't know that until you see them. Also, the few clues you can get from any packaging information, sequence etc (priceless metadata!) are completely lost if you send them away. So from my point of view, doing it yourself is a much better option, if long term.

Given the state of the current scanning equipment, I'd suggest that a flatbed scanner would be a decent option, but you have to go fairly high end for decent 4x5 (Epson V800/850 or similar). There's also quite a bit of faff involved in mounting, placing, doing the pre-scan, final scan etc. If you already have a decent mirrorless or DSLR camera, and especially if you have a decent macro lens, then I reckon you'd get better throughput and better quality feedback, by using camera scanning. Even more so if you've a space you can dedicate to the task, leaving it set up for weeks or longer, to return to when you have a few moments.
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I agree, based on my experience scanning my dad's slides, that many negatives will be unusable or, at least in my father's case, utterly boring, and they all need to be reviewed before scanning.

A flatbed scanner is easiest, you don't need to scan at a particularly high resolution either. My flatbed scans of 5x4 have turned out well, probably capable of being blown up to quite a size.

I think £4 a scan would be reasonable if the negatives were to be identified with the source, provenance, whatever, from the box labelling and other information. If the scanning includes spotting that would be an unbelievable bonus, so it won't. Spotting is the worst part of scanning old negatives, though it has to be done, at least in my experience.
 
Jacks lab is an interesting option - literally walking distance from me! Might go in for a chat, I plan to get some 120 developed there anyway.

As for the quality of these negs - I expect many of them to be keepers/worthwhile. Many have prints also (done in his darkroom) which randomly sampled most were good. They are reasonably well organised etc. and he tended to sort fairly well and be organised.

There are 35mm and 6x6 120 also, but the 4x5 are from his “big” camera, so most will have had some effort put into them, and he was a very accomplished amateur photographer. I have copies of some of his prints that were prepared for various exhibitions, plus old photography magazines with interviews with him etc which is nice, as it gives me some context for some of the photos. The large format was not used for snapshots or (much) studio portraiture with many frames of the same subject - mostly they are landscapes.

One option I’ve considered is a decent flat bed to basically scan as quickly as I can for easier review, then professional scans of ones I like. But I wonder if I’d be as well to use a light box and my macro lens.
 
I've used Jack's lab a few times. They're great - very professional setup and very active in the Bristol community. The scans (4*5 colour from when I was feeling flush!) were good.

You might not need a macro lens for camera scans given the size of the negs - if they're colour make sure you have a high CRI light source (or light from behind through a diffuser with flash) to get accurate results. The other option for quick review is any of several reversal apps - I use Filmlab but that was paid for.
 
Nearly all black and white at least so that’s easier.

I already have the macro lens so no problem there.

I have done a few negs with a camera before, but never 4x5 or in any volume.
 
the_accidental said:
Jacks lab is an interesting option - literally walking distance from me! Might go in for a chat, I plan to get some 120 developed there anyway.

As for the quality of these negs - I expect many of them to be keepers/worthwhile. Many have prints also (done in his darkroom) which randomly sampled most were good. They are reasonably well organised etc. and he tended to sort fairly well and be organised.

There are 35mm and 6x6 120 also, but the 4x5 are from his “big” camera, so most will have had some effort put into them, and he was a very accomplished amateur photographer. I have copies of some of his prints that were prepared for various exhibitions, plus old photography magazines with interviews with him etc which is nice, as it gives me some context for some of the photos. The large format was not used for snapshots or (much) studio portraiture with many frames of the same subject - mostly they are landscapes.

One option I’ve considered is a decent flat bed to basically scan as quickly as I can for easier review, then professional scans of ones I like. But I wonder if I’d be as well to use a light box and my macro lens.
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the_accidental said:
Nearly all black and white at least so that’s easier.

I already have the macro lens so no problem there.

I have done a few negs with a camera before, but never 4x5 or in any volume.
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For 4x5 scanning you're pretty much stuck with Epson flatbeds these days. The smaller scanners like the V600 won't do a 4x5 frame in one go, so you have to scan in two parts and stitch them together. Not impossible, and what I did as I already had the small scanner, but a complete pain. So you'd need the V7xx up. The current model is the V850, an excellent scanner but costing over £800 and quite bulky. Also, each frame is going to be relatively slow, compared to a camera scan.

As you already have a good camera and macro lens, I'd suggest experimenting with camera scanning first. The bits can also be expensive, particularly a copy stand sturdy enough to hold your camera, these are often ridiculously expensive. The good news is that with a bit of DIY you can get a set up pretty cheap, at least for trial purposes. You've already done some, so presumably have a light source; you need something to hold the 4x5 frame (worth experimenting straight on the glass, though it risks Newton's Rings or moire patterns from the light source). A wooden frame or pile of bricks could support your camera! Once set up, comparatively speaking it should be much faster.

Dust will be an issue, but it sounds like they have been very well looked after, so perhaps less of a problem there.

This could be a great project, have fun!
 
For camera stand, I have a fairly sturdy manfrotto horizontal arm which I can mount to the tripod that previously saw duty for large format use, or possibly small anti-aircraft cannon given its sturdiness!

I’ve only ever bodged lightsources with a flash for negs before, will try a light box. I wondered if I might get away without mounts for a quick scan to review, then re-do my favs properly. But maybe I can setup some mounts somehow that are quick to change.
 
I’ve not done much research yet on light sources, I know I’m looking for decent CRI etc in case I do any colour, but if anyone has specific recommendations do fire away.

I figure even if I don’t scan much with it a decent light source and loupe will be handy for reviewing negatives etc anyway.
 
You might find a used V700 or V800 for sale. You could scan your negatives and sell it on afterwards, probably not not making much of a loss. The scanners are very robust, my V700 has scanned a few thousand negatives of different formats.
 
Well amongst a roll of 35mm landscapes one frame of me and dad, here’s a macro lens copy of the proof print - came out quite well.

Me and dad.jpg

I remember being out with him and the cameras, one of my own occasionally later when I was older. I don’t really remember the rather cosy looking sheepskin lined corduroy suit!

I do also remember the smells and sights in the darkroom developing and enlarging, I was occasionally allowed in to help!
 
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