As a matter of logic (at least mine), the flatbed scanner is designed so that its focal point is at the flat piece of paper and glass interface. The data side faces toward the light source which reflects off the paper to the scanner's light sensitive cells. This is the reflective type of scanner for opaque objects. The focal point has a range of focus which would allow an acceptable image of a 3-D object, but it varies some with each scanner model. Still, the sharpest point of focus would be closest to the paper/glass interface. The reflective type of scanner does not work well with film because the light can not pass through the film to project the image on to the scanners light sensitive cells. . That is why some flat beds have a special attachment that places a light source on top of the film so it shines through the film or emulsion to the scanner's light sensitive cells. Because film or similar transmissive items like thick glass would have varied thickness, I would suspect that the optimum focal point would still be at the scanner glass and film interface. Then with glass to glass contact you have to worrry about Newton's rings, but that is another story. George At 05:53 PM 4/24/01 -0500, you wrote: >Emulsion side down was my guess. Unfortunately, I can't tell from these old >pictures if they are reversed or not. I have this one picture of six pigs in >the middle of a dirt road and I can't tell if I'm looking at the right side >of the pig or the left. As you probably guessed, I didn't grow up on a farm. >;-> > >Jim > >-----Original Message----- >From: Robert E Lewis [mailto:LEWISRE@prodigy.net] >Sent: Monday, April 23, 2001 10:47 PM >To: VINTAGE-PHOTOS-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [VINTAGE-PHOTOS] scanning glass negatives > > >Jim, > >I would just clean very lightly with a camel's hair brush from a camera >store or you could use a can of compressed air also available from a camera >store. My guess is that the emulsion side should be down. Try it and if it >comes out reversed you'll know that I was wrong! > >Robert E. Lewis > >----- Original Message ----- >From: Jim Gill <jimvgill@inil.com> >To: <VINTAGE-PHOTOS-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Monday, April 23, 2001 5:45 PM >Subject: [VINTAGE-PHOTOS] scanning glass negatives > > > > I can't seem to find the answer to this simple question anywhere else -- I > > want to scan some old glass negatives on a flat bed scanner. Do I put the > > emulsion side down or up? The instructions for the Transparent Media >Adapter > > on my Microtek E3 says "face down." > > > > And, while I'm asking, is there anything I can do to clean these negatives > > without damaging them? I assume I could get a soft brush for lint and >dust. > > Suggestions appreciated. > > > > Photos were taken around 1910. > > > > Jim Gill > > webmaster, Catlin Historical Society > > > > > > > > ==== VINTAGE-PHOTOS Mailing List ==== > > If you wish to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Vintage-Photos list, >use > > Vintage-Photos -l-request@rootsweb.com. > > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > > > > ============================== > > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library > > > > >==== VINTAGE-PHOTOS Mailing List ==== >List problems? Contact the Vintage-Photos -List Mom >kathleenburnett@earthlink.net >Use Kathleen as the subject line for your post >To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > >============================== >Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 >Source for Family History Online. Go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB > > > >==== VINTAGE-PHOTOS Mailing List ==== >If you wish to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Vintage-Photos list, use >Vintage-Photos -l-request@rootsweb.com. >To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > >============================== >Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp