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Cheap scanner advise. Epson? Pic added
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:33 pm    Post subject: Cheap scanner advise. Epson? Pic added Reply with quote
I am about to buy a "cheap" scanner. The scanner is to be used primary to scan 35mm negative film.

Right now I am leaning against a Epson V300
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1029362
or V350.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1014335

I am not sure if the V350 is worth the extra 25£...? If anyone would like to share there opinion I would appreciate it.[/b]

Last edited by lahnet on Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
No idea, I have V500 how much difference ? V500 is excellent.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I had a v350, I now have the v500. My opinion, there is a world of difference.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The main difference that seems to exist between the 2 (by looking at the scecs) is the 350 has an auto film feeder as both are capable of 4800x9600 resolution. Do you need that feature? I have an Epson 2400 that I love, that works well for me and having to manually load the film is no hassle - as its not like I'm trying to achieve any level of automation.


Jim


PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Epson V500 has no feeder too, you can survive, so 2400 seems a great choice too.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
No idea, I have V500 how much difference ? V500 is excellent.


Thanks, but I don´t think I need V500. It cost 3x V300.

rick44 wrote:
I had a v350, I now have the v500. My opinion, there is a world of difference.


Quality, speed or.... ?
Why did you replace your V350?

j.lukow wrote:
The main difference that seems to exist between the 2 (by looking at the scecs) is the 350 has an auto film feeder as both are capable of 4800x9600 resolution. Do you need that feature? I have an Epson 2400 that I love, that works well for me and having to manually load the film is no hassle - as its not like I'm trying to achieve any level of automation.
Jim


That is exactly my thoughts. But what i don´t know is if the auto film feeder makes a difference in quality, or if it´s only a matter of comfort.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
lahnet wrote:
Attila wrote:
No idea, I have V500 how much difference ? V500 is excellent.


Thanks, but I don´t think I need V500. It cost 3x V300.

rick44 wrote:
I had a v350, I now have the v500. My opinion, there is a world of difference.


Quality, speed or.... ?
Why did you replace your V350?

j.lukow wrote:
The main difference that seems to exist between the 2 (by looking at the scecs) is the 350 has an auto film feeder as both are capable of 4800x9600 resolution. Do you need that feature? I have an Epson 2400 that I love, that works well for me and having to manually load the film is no hassle - as its not like I'm trying to achieve any level of automation.
Jim


That is exactly my thoughts. But what i don´t know is if the auto film feeder makes a difference in quality, or if it´s only a matter of comfort.


I have both the Epson 2480 and the 2580. The 25 has the auto feeder.
Yes it does make a difference. IMO the film is not held so flat so quality can suffer. I always use the 2480. The 2400 sereis are 2400 dpi.
If I can explain. I started home 35mm film scanning many years ago using dedicated film scanners. The results from a dedicated film scanner will always be better at a price. I packed in scanning and sold my last Nikon film scanner about 4 years ago but now I do a bit of 35mm film for fun only. For that I find the 2480 good enough. (Web use only)
Looking at the specs it seems the V300 is a very good buy. IMO to improve on it you would have to pay around £150 for a S/H dedicated 35mm film scanner or a lot more for a real quality one. The V500 could be better but the extra money it costs would be best used towards a dedicated 35mm film scanner, unless you are doing medium format.
Scanning film to good quality is almost an art and can for some be a steep learning curve, if it is your first go at it buy the V300 and enjoy learning.
You should ignore scan speeds, it is the setting up that (Should) take the real time, for best results every frame needs adjusting, leaving it to Auto isn't an option.
I do believe we were lucky years ago when the very best at the time was only 1200dpi (My first dedicated 35mm scanner Epson 200 1998) we had to learn how to get the best from the little we had. It seems today people want massive dpi just to use auto settings and throw most of the information away!


PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I can only offer my experiences from the standpoint of someone who has physically serviced various printers in the past, and of my experiences, Epson was a make to be avoided at all costs.

This is not to say that Epson printers were of poor quality, but to offer that they were very difficult to dismantle, and their replacement parts were extremely expensive as compared to the likes of HP or Canon. Due to the servicing expenses, most businesses tended towards Hewlett-Packard peripherals for their relatively low cost in servicing and maintaining the devices.

But having said all of the above, I can not realistically say that an Epson scanner is any better than a HP or Canon, nor can I detail anything about film/negative scanners, as those were certainly not the devices I used to work on.


PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hey Rob

Thank you very much. I will order tomorrow and right now I am going for the V300.

SkedAddled
Also thanks to you, I am still open to suggestions other than Epson.


PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bill has good HPXXX scanner I think same category than V300


PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I just ordered the Epson V300

Thanks for the help.


PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Henrik: You did well! I think you will find plenty of nice scans from the V300.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Can somebody share 100% crops for V300 and V500?

Im also deciding between this two scanners.

I cant get a good dedicated second hand scanner, Minolta Dual SCan II = getting one here is like $500 at least.

V200 = $200 and V500 = $385

The V500 is stretching my budget even.

And Ive used a Dual Scan II before, nice detail out of Reala 100 @ 2820 dpi, but lots of noise from the scanner, and not friendly to shadows.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I own an Epson 3170 that came with slide/negative carriers for both 35mm and 6x6. Bought it new four or five years ago. Chances are a used one can be had for reasonable. I see that on eBay, they've been selling for between $10 and $70. The 3170 has a max optical resolution of 3200 dpi, and does a good job of scanning slides, which is mostly what I use it for.

The scanner's focus is decent, but recently I was told about an accessory available from these guys that will improve focus:

http://www.betterscanning.com/

I plan to buy one of these film holders in the near future. One day in the not too distant future, I plan to build my own 4x5 field camera. Once I've accomplished that feat, I'll probably be looking to buy an Epson V700 or V750, which can handle 4x5 slides or negs.

Best,

Michael


PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Athiril wrote:
Can somebody share 100% crops for V300 and V500?

Im also deciding between this two scanners.

I cant get a good dedicated second hand scanner, Minolta Dual SCan II = getting one here is like $500 at least.

V200 = $200 and V500 = $385

The V500 is stretching my budget even.

And Ive used a Dual Scan II before, nice detail out of Reala 100 @ 2820 dpi, but lots of noise from the scanner, and not friendly to shadows.


The 4490 is still available new from Epson at heavily discounted prices, to clear old stock. I got one a couple of months ago. 4800 (claimed) dpi, probably really 3600dpi. It's a bargain now. Epson were knocking them out refurbed and new from 120 dollars.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
First scan from my new V300. All settings on auto. I think I will be happy with it.



PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes really nice one! You made wise decision.
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