Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>Leon Pomeroy wrote: >Attention LUG: > >I'm Looking for suggestions on how to go about copying old B&W photos from >family album I gathered over Thanksgiving. I have no experience! > >Plan to use R5 with 60 f2.8 Macro lens, and bounced lighting, and want the >old photograph look! > >What FILM can any of you recommend I use based on your own experience? > Leon: Here are some techniques that have worked for me: - --Keep photos flat. Use very clean cover glass if necessary. Small distortions from curvature seem to be much more noticible on the final result than they were in the viewfinder! (same applies to tilted images) - --Surprisingly, bounce light may not be the best. It depends on the surface of the photo. For glossy, unblemished photos, direct light at 45 degrees works well. Should be one light from each side but for small prints one will do. Just move light down low enough to eliminate hot spot on edge. Experiment! - --For prints with brown staining, a yellow, orange or red filter may help, but only if the image is "cooler" in color. again, experiment. - --T-max 100, particularly when overexposed a stop or two, has very good copying characteristics. (IOW: "straight line" response, for densitometer mavens!) - --A lot will depend on the printing. Many lab prints of copy negs come out too light in shadows, also modern papers spoil the vintage look. Good luck, and let the LUG know how you do! Nick Hunter PS: oh yeah-good lens choice, just to keep us on-topic! :)