Newton Rings

[apocaplops]

How do I stop the Newton Rings? They're invading my photos! I'm using the ubiquitous 3170 flatbed, and I get Newton Rings on my scans, primarily in the Medium Format Negs (using the supplied holder) and Polaroids I scan. I understand they appear from the scanned object not laying flat, but how do I get the film/print to lay totally flat then? Ugh.

[edthened]

Och Erich, try to keep the negative off the glass cos that's what causes Newton Rings.  I have the same scanner and have the same problem.
Try this guy, he may be able to help you http://www.betterscanning.com/

[connealy]

That looks like a very nice product for enhancing the performance of Epson scanners.  One other thing you might try which is mentioned on the site is to insert your negatives in the holder so that the film bows up away from the glass.  Epson advises putting the emulsion side up, but I can't see any difference in the results from doing it the other way.  You may need to do a horizontal flip with your software to get the correct left/right orientation.  
 . . Sometimes I like to scan the full width of the film to include the film borders.  I have done that with both medium format and 35mm by laying the film directly on the glass and placing the holder on top.  As long as the curve is up, I seldom have a problem with rings.
 . . Some films have thicker bases and less tendency to curl.  Tmax dries flat and I seldom encounter problems with it touching the glass.

[Aaron D.]

I do the same thing, curve up then flip after prescan. If the curve is soooo much that it either hits the glass on top or goes soft on focus, anti-newton glass will do the trick.

[melek]

I think you almost need a custom film holder that allows you to scan just one frame at a time but will hold the film extremely flat.

I have this same problem with scanning 127 film, because there are no holders for 127.

[josphy]

Best luck I had was simply flipping the film over.

[P C Headland]

I'll add to the parrot chorus - bow up.  Also cut your film into strips of 3 6x6 or 2 6x9 - any longer and you'll get the film bowing down.

Either that, or Doug Fisher's holders, as already mentioned.  If you do go that route, spend the but extra and get the height adjustable holders.

[MichaelHarris]

I also got the doug fisher holder and it works great, I wish they had one for 35mm negs.  Right now I just put them under a book for a week and then scan.  Problem with that is it's like sending them out, I don't wanna wait a week.

[Tom Hildreth]

I scanned a few hundred 120 negs with an Epson 3170 about 6 months ago. They were all cut as single frame, and I didn't have any problem with Mr. Newton whatever using the supplied neg holder.