6.2 - Create digital "master files" of photographic slides

The Epson V850 is the default scanner for photographic slides. Always wear clean cotton gloves when handling any kind of graphic material. Do not leave fingerprints

Set up scan job


  1. Turn on computer.

  2. Create top-level folder in the local storage or external hard drive. Name the folder after the collection ID.



  3. Open the Create a hierarchical directory of sub-folders named after the boxes and/or folders within the fonds or collection.

    1. For example, inside the PC2 folder, create a series of folders named after the boxes:

    2. And create a series of sub-folders that represent a combination of the box and folder number:

    3. See Appendix B - Guiding principles for file naming and file organization for guidance on organizing and naming files created by the scanner.

  4. Press the power button on bottom left corner of scanner front:



  5. Launch Epson Scan software.

  6. Ensure Epson Scan is set to “Professional Mode”:

  7. Set the technical specifications for the scan job.

    1. Document Type: Film (with Film Holder) or Film (with Film Area Guide)
    2. Film Type: B&W Negative Film
    3. Image Type: 48-bit gr
    4. Resolution: 3200 - 4800 dpi (smaller glass plates require higher dpi)
    5. Adjustments: check "Unsharp Mask"

  8. See Appendix C - Technical specifications for "master" files for guidance determining specifications for each format.

  9. Check the "Other" radio button and click on the "Browse" button to set the file save location. 



  10. Navigate to the folder. The "Browse for Folder" window provides an option to create a new folder if necessary.



  11. Determine the File Name of each "master file." The Prefix and Start Number combine to form the name of the "master file" that the scanner saves in the save location:

    1. Prefix: Collection ID, Box Number, Folder Number, etc.

    2. Start Number: Sequential number that is supposed to match the page number within a file or item. Start numbers can also be used to add sequential item numbers to the File Name. 



  12. Select TIFF (*.tif) from the Image Format Type menu.



  13. Check the options to show the dialogue box before and to open image folder after scanning.



  14. Click OK.

  15. Remove the document mat:

Scan 35 mm slides


  1. Place slides in 35 mm slide holder so the sequential number automatically assigned by Epson Scan aligns with the desired sequence of reference codes assigned to the material. The “first” slide should be placed in the top right corner and subsequent slides should be sequenced top to bottom, right to left:

  2. Place slides in holder so the emulsion side will face the scanner lid and the non-emulsion side will face the scanner surface.

    Side of slide

    Finish

    Text orientation

    Emulsion side
    (photo-sensitive side)

    Matte – image “pops” out like engraving

    Backwards

    Non-emulsion side
    (non-photo-sensitive side)

    Gloss – shiny, reflective coating

    Forewords

  3. See the example below. Notice how the matte emulsion side diffuses the reflection from a nearby window and part of the image appears to “pop” up, while the reflective side is glossier and the reflection of the window is more noticeable: 

  4. Place slide holder on the flatbed and close the cover. Ensure the white arrows on the holder are aligned with the white arrows on the scanner and that the holder “pops” into place.

  5. Click “Preview.” Epson Scan will present a preview of each image:

  6. Ensure that the preview “Size” is set to show the entire film holder.

  7. Check preview scans and make adjustments as necessary. Slides can be adjusted in the holder and / or preview scans can be rotated 90 degrees or flipped.

  8. Uncheck any slides that should not be digitized.

  9. Click “Scan.” Epson Scan will open a window to configure the file save settings. 

  10. Set the file save settings.

    1. Ensure the correct folder or sub-folder is selected as the save location.
    2. Enter file prefix.
    3. Make sure auto sequencer is set correctly. Each file-level description should start at 001 and receive sequential numbers until all the slides within the file have been scanned and assigned file names that correspond to the new item-level reference codes.
    4. See Appendix B -  Guiding principles for file naming and file organization for guidance on file naming and file organization.

  11. Click “OK” to start the scan. The scanner will save images in the chosen folder. Slide holders with twelve slides can take up to 15 minutes to scan.

  12. Open the scanner cover and remove slide holder when scan is complete.

  13. Remove slides from holder and return to physical storage.

  14. Repeat steps 1 through 15 until file is complete.

  15. Make appropriate notes in the associated archival descriptions if certain items are not digitized.