Film Scanning

[ajr]

We have just merged with our sister company, they have a very large (enormous) library of film work. We are CTP based so ideally are looking at a way to scan the films. This would probably be on a job per job basis, alot of the work is reprints. Can anyone recomend a good film scanner, the majority of the films are negs.

What sort of quality should I expect and what sort of price??

Does anyone have one they don't use anymore ideally in the UK they may need to get rid of?

Any input would be great.

Thanks

AjR

 

[John W]

Re: Film Scanning

Andy,
We are in the same position, 30,000 legacy with film files and now ctp (Screen 8600Z using 1 bit tif). Lots of reprints and lots of new work too.

We looked at converting film to digital but it requires huge (slow) memory size requirements for copydot files plus the cost of copydot. Secondly, curve settings for ctp; do we match with a legacy curve so everything imitates analog films or do we run two curves or what. Some of our monochromatic spot colour files (for a spot colour halftome on top of a solid second spot colour, we had an impossible task making the ctp match what was done via film previously so we stayed with the film made plate.
Our decision in the end was to keep using film and analog plates for film job reprints, merging files when possible while slowly migrating to ctp for all files when designs change or whatever appropriate timimg to convert presents itself. We feel this is cheaper in the long run and more efficient than biting off the whole mass as a job by job directive. Timeline is about 18-24 mths for us and it is working (4mths in). We kept the imagesetter to make the odd film (mostly for foiling and embossing processes) and both film and ctp run through the same HqRip and Black Magic proofer.

One more thing you might consider. I discoverd that one of the processless brands of plate can be exposed in the contact frame to film or the ctp platesetter without a problem! That might work for you and save you money.

John W

 

[Colorblind]

Re: Film Scanning

The old company I was working for got into the same situation after buying a film-based prepress house. We bought an Eskofot copydot scanner that could handle films (and reflective originals) up to 23x30. It did a very good job, keeping dots from 2% to 98% at 2400 dpi resolution. But to do a nice job, you had to process it through Eskofot's Perfection software to clean dust and scratches. The software would also allow us to edit the copydot image (rebuild screens, add-remove elements, merge separations, add new colors). We would also apply a curve inside the copydot image (using the software , but you could also do it while scanning) so once printed with CTP, it would match the old analog plates result. Once printed, you could not tell it was a copydot scan. Film preparation and scanning time for a 8.5 X 11 was taking about 30 minutes and cleaning would take another 15 to 30 minutes.

 

[Kristian]

Re: Film Scanning

Hi Andy,

We purchased an EskoScan2024 CopyDot scanner over 6 years ago for the same reason as you. Now our film library has been converted to CopyDot we no longer have a need for the scanner as all new artwork is supplied digitally. The scanner - although old - is in good working condition and can be seen working.

We are based in Exeter in the South West. Feel free to contact me for more info.

Kristian

 

[Jeffrey Guevara]

Re: Film Scanning

My company, Eprep located in Provo Utah, can scan and digitize films up to 36" x 48". We have the Eskofot 3648 scanner and can do films even larger than our scanner. We Specialize in converting films on an as needed or ongoing process to many companies in the industry. We will work with you to make sure the file type we provide will work with your individual workflow. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further assistance. Jeff Guevara 801-787-7364

 

[papamoose]

Re: Film Scanning

John Willis wrote: One more thing you might consider. I discoverd that one of the processless brands of plate can be exposed in the contact frame to film or the ctp platesetter without a problem! That might work for you and save you money.

We found this too and has allowed us to use our small legacy film archive. When we went CTP over 8 years ago we took the decision then that any amended reprints would be redone on the computers. Nine years on, we are down to about 30 annual forms that are still on film. The whole 'conventional' system - camera, frame, processors (film and CTP) will be going later this year and so those few jobs will have to be redone.

 

[bobh]

Re: Film Scanning

High all,
We still use film for a couple of our clients, but we also have the electronic files. Isn't there electronic files for your film or did another company supply the film?
Anyways we are CTP now and are using Fuji Pro-T processorless plates. I have experimented with burning the processorless plates in a Conventional frame with our film and it has worked out fine. I had to up the exposure time but it works.
For a while we thought we would have to get rid of our film, but now we can keep the old film for re-runs only. When we get new files in, we just go to our CTP system.
Bobh

 

[ajr]

Re: Film Scanning

Thanks for the input everyone, I think we will just stick with film for now as we are getting about 20 film jobs through a day. I wouldn't be able to cope with scanning all of those jobs in, there are only 2 of us in the dept and we are pretty much stretched at the moment. To give you an idae of our workload we have 1 Speed master running 12hrs a day 6 days a week, 5 minin web continuous presses running 6 days a week plus nights, a label press, envelope press and 3 digital presses (which we run). Film is still easy to use we just whack it down expose and process nice and easy, everything else is done CTP. Help I think I'm drowning!!!!!!!!!

AjR

 

[rich apollo]

Re: Film Scanning

Years ago, at another company, after we brought CTP in we found that the registration and quality improvements made it cost effective to toss the film on reprints and image new plates. It was faster to burn the plates and the make-readies were quicker.

For us the old films weren't worth...well...the film they were imaged on.

 

[ajr]

Re: Film Scanning

The majority of these jobs I only have film, no digital file at all. I did one job today and scanned the old camera ready artwork and overlays and made up the job in Photoshop. Quite labourious but very satisfying to do, killed a couple of hours.

AjR

 

[Khalid]

Hi all,

My compagny based in Mauritius Island is a specialised in these kind of jobs.

Basically, we receive film, scan them ( copy dot when needed), Do some retouching and get back a DVD to our client.

We produce 10 000 films/months with 3 AGFA XY scanners running on a shift basis.

The purup eskofot seems to be the best hardware for scanning films and copydot....