How to adjust the medium format film size setting in Epson Scan so the image is not cropped

Applies To

  • Operating Systems: Windows, macOS
  • Software: EPSON Scan, Epson Scan 2
  • Hardware: Scanners that support film scanning
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Description

When scanning medium format film ("brownies"), selecting the correct format size in Thumbnail preview mode ensures Epson Scan detects the correct scan area — otherwise, images may be cropped to a smaller area than intended.

  • Normal preview: shows the full previewed image; you select the scan area and adjust quality manually.
  • Thumbnail preview: Epson Scan automatically locates the edges of the scan area and applies automatic exposure. This is the default preview type for film or slides.

Solution

EPSON Scan

  1. Open EPSON Scan in Home or Professional Mode.

    EPSON Scan mode selector
    Note: You can't use Full Auto Mode to scan medium format film.

  2. Click Configuration, click the Film Size tab, and select the correct size as the Medium Format Film Size setting.

    EPSON Scan Configuration button

    Available sizes (inches): 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9.

    EPSON Scan Medium Format Film Size options

    If needed, adjust the amount of clipping in Thumbnail mode via the Preview tab in the Configuration window.

    EPSON Scan Preview tab Thumbnail clipping setting

  3. Select your document type:

    • Home mode: open the Document Type list and select Color Negative Film, B&W Negative Film, or Positive Film (for a film strip), or Positive Film (for slides). Then select Color, Grayscale, or Black&White as needed.
    • Professional mode: select Film (with Film Holder) as Document Type, then select the appropriate Film Type from the same options.
  4. Select the resolution and destination as needed, then click Preview.

  5. Epson Scan displays the preview in a separate window, with an automatically-created marquee (a moving dotted line marking the scan area) around each image in Thumbnail mode. Only the area within the marquee is captured when you scan.

    To adjust a marquee: click inside it, click the delete marquee icon, then switch to Normal preview mode and preview again to select the area manually.

  6. Click Scan to save the image(s).

Epson Scan 2

  1. Open Epson Scan 2 and select Photo Mode.

    Epson Scan 2 Photo Mode option

  2. Select Transparency Unit as the Document Source and choose the appropriate Document Type.

    Epson Scan 2 Transparency Unit document source

  3. Click Thumbnail Options and select the correct size from the Medium Format Film Size list.

    Epson Scan 2 Thumbnail Options Medium Format Film Size

    If needed, adjust the amount of clipping via the Cropped Area Size setting.

  4. Epson Scan 2 shows the preview beside the settings screen — select the Thumbnail option at the top of the preview to enable automatic marquees.

    Epson Scan 2 Thumbnail preview setting

    To adjust a marquee: click inside it, click the delete marquee icon, then untick Thumbnails and preview again to select the area manually.

  5. Click Scan to save the image(s).