Prepare and execute picture scan

Here are some steps to take before scanning. If you deal with slide/transparency. Take card of camera and transfer images to the desktop. Have desktop monitor profiled and calibrated using any device available on market. Open images in you favourite photo editor. For Raw files you may do initial import. Review images in regard of histogram and color. Keep in mind that if your capture is significantly off compared to originals it may make sense to tweak you rig, lightning, etc. Than trying to fix colors in photo editor. Even for raw files you have only so much in latitude and you may notice very soon that you making pictures even worse. Of course if you are dealing with negatives you task order of magnitude more complex than capturing transparencies.
 * 1) Insert transparent part / film leader in the holder and custom white-balance camera by that that frame. If there is no film - custom balance your camera by shooting diffuser with 2 step underexposure. That should produce uniformly lit gray frame. If it's not gray and uniform - tweak the lightsource, move parts , etc until it's done.
 * 2) Set camera for neutral of faithfully (don't know exact difference),  turn off sharpening, etc. The goal is remove any interference of camera software . Raw files will have the best data regardless of settings, jpeg will be processed per options selected. Take the best slide and start focusing manually. You best bet is having camera in live view mode with magnification at x10. That allows for precise focusing on grain.
 * 3) Mask off any light. Mask any parts of original you are not capturing.
 * 4) Make a capture. Review histogram. Make sure histogram is completely withing the grid. For negatives this is of paramount importance. Have camera tethered. Use remote control.
 * 5) If you don't. Use tether have camera connected to external monitor/TV - that will make controlling sharpness easier.
 * 6) Just in case do some bracketing. Advance film, replace slide. Check for sharpness - take a picture and so on and so on.
 * 1) Just in case do some bracketing. Advance film, replace slide. Check for sharpness - take a picture and so on and so on.