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Hasselblad Flexight X1

Scanning with Flexcolor Software

Introduction
The Flextight X1 is a top-end Film Scanner for slides and negatives. It can take a wide range of formats from 35mm up to 4x5 inch. The scanner itself is a simple piece of hardware. You will feed the scanner with a Holders that takes your negative/slide into the scanner. There it will be read by CCD sensor which receives a projection of your original trough a rodenstock lens. You can compare this method with that of an enlarger. Please note that the scanner does not take any reflective originals e.g. paper photographs. Flexcolor is the software you will use to scan, correct and export the images. You will learn not only on scanning, but also on how to save time on postproduction. Flexcolor also acts as an archive program for all your scans. The software is free when you register on www.hasselblad.co.uk and is the only program you can use with the scanner.

The Flextight X1
Parts and Components

Parts and components front panel

E F

B C
H

G I

Feed table
This must be in the lower position for normal scanning. When scanner is not in use you can return it to closed position to protect it from dust etc. Adjust to horizontal position when using the 35 mm slide mount holder.

Power indicator (Green)


Remains lit when ready to scan. Flashes when first installed to indicate that firmware must be loaded (it will be loaded automatically when you run FlexColor).

Light table
For viewing originals. The grid helps you to align your transparent originals.

Motor drive indicator (Yellow)


Lights when the scanner is repositioning the optics to scan in a new format or when drum is repositioning.

Transparency holder guide


Two rails that guide all the transparency holders and keep them in a straight orientation.

Scan indicator (Red)


Lights when scanning. Do not touch the scanner while this indicator is lit. If the light is flashing when not scanning, then an error has occurred - please contact your Flextight dealer for assistance.

Original holder clasp


All original holders slide into a slot here and are held in place by a magnetic clasp.

Start/stop scan button


With this button you can initiate a 3F scan. Parameters are set according to your 3F scan setup. The button will also stop any normal scan process.

Power switch
Button to turn the unit on/off.

Exercise

1. Insert an original in the Holder 2. Attach Holder to Scanner


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Flexcolor Software
Main Window User Interface

Scan Controls

Correction Controls
Histogram Button Gradation Button

Colour Correction Button Texture Button Auto Button Undo all

Main Window User Interface

Output Size Controls

Zoom, Orientation and Other controls

The 3F File Format

The difference between a 3F scan and using Preview/Scan Preview/Scan


Preview --> Corrections--->Scan--->corrections in photoshop

3F Scan
3F Scan --> Corrections--->Export

Scanning With 3F
Think about the following issues before each scan: What am i scanning for? What size? Medium? Answering these questions will save you time and disk-space. Example: If you are scanning for an A4 portfolio there is no need to use the highest settings. The quality of the image will not improve by scanning at a higher resolution and then resizing it smaller. But remember, downsampling is better than upsampling. If you are scanning for a Portfolio and a website, Scan for the portfolio and you can batch these to a web resolution. Do not try the opposite. 1. Insert your original in the Holder 2. Attach Holder to the Scanner 3. Press the 3F Button to open Dialogue 4. Go trough the Settings From top to bottom 5. Press Scan 6. After the Flextight is done with the scan the image will appear in the main window and will be ready for corrections.

If after this initial scan you have the same kind of originals to scan (format, brand) you can use the 3F button on the scanner!
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Exercise Setting up a Profile You are scanning 50 photographs for your portfolio. Set up a profile with 3F to maximize the use of your time. Al your shots are Medium Format 6x7, on Kodak Portra 400VC. The height of the prints need to be 28cm and 300 ppi. Store them on your local drive in a Folder called Portfolio.

Correcting And Exporting Histogram Window

Gradations

Correcting And Exporting Colour Correction

Texture

Correcting And Exporting Exporting

Exercise Correcting and exporting A Magazine Editor is asking for an image. He/She needs two files, one for Web and One for Print Correct the image and Export The print version needs to be A4@300ppi The web images needs to be 0.5MB@72ppi Send the web image to rp1v09@soton.ac.uk with your name as subject. Open the Tiff in Photoshop

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Using the 3F Browser/Batch correcting and Exporting

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Using the 3F Browser/Batch correcting and Exporting

Exercise Batch corrections You have corrected one image, use the 3F Browser to apply the settings on all other images. Do a batch export in JPEG.

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