Economic options for scanning negatives . . .

[j.lukow]

I hadn't realized the possibilities for the scanning in of negatives. The scans I've done are of prints using an old Canon N340P flatbed.

First I am aware of the old axiom of buy the best you can afford- that said . . .
My question is what is the most economical option for scanning negatives?

I use economical and not cheap because there are some inexpensive options out there that if you bought you would be throwing your money away, right. This could easily be also that one is hard to easily/readily get good scans from.

I don't think I have to worry about Medium format capable yet, and the idea of getting hold of a stack of old family negatives and scanning up a disc or 3 sounds appealing. I have wandered eBay already, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Hooper]

Nice one jim, i was just about to post the very same question (and sorry for sort of hijacking your thread).

It would be nice to have the option of scanning medium format as I hope to take that route in the future, but its not a necessity at the moment. I can't really spend over Ł200, so am looking for the best value for money, not just the cheapest.

I'm just not sure if it would be best to go for a flatbed like an Epson Perfection V500, Canon 8800F, or for a dedicated 35mm scanner like the Plustek Optic 7300.

Its all kind of new to me, so any advice would be great..

[F16SUNSHINE]

Scanner suggestions are very welcome for me as well. I'm very curious to hear and see what Larry thinks about the V700 from epson. The V500 is half of it's cost but $250 is not much if the visual difference is much greater. Put it another way. If the scanner is with you for 5 years the extra quality is sure worth spreading an extra $25 a year. Any report yet Laurence?

[peterqd]

[F16SUNSHINE]

Hi Peter
Thanks for the report. I do plan to scan some 4x5 B+W negs as well as 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9 negs and transparencies as well as 35mm. Also michelle would like to scan some of her 8x10 prints that she works up in the wet lab (she hate computer PP). Have you anything to comment in regard to the type of use I mention. I have learned that the film masks although cumbersome, do make life easier when image is actually uploaded. Have you tried the wet system that is designed for transparency scanning with the v700? Thanks for your responses I really feel a bit lost. It seems that the most money spent on scanners is in the time it takes to get to know the one you are working with. That reason alone is why I am considering spending a bit more rather than less. I would hate to invest a lot of time learning to use a machine and discover a glaring shortcoming.

[Laurence]

Hey all -- I haven't yet received the V700, so I can't say quite yet.

However, the 2450 was DYNAMITE on medium format, and only adequate on 35mm. Although...every once in a while I would get an extremely nice 35mm scan.

I decided on the V700 after a lot of soul-searching for "what do I really need, and do I want to spend a bit more for quality?"

What tipped it for me was seeing John ( a friend ) use his workflow on the V700 and coming up with beautiful 35mm scans from both a neg and a slide.

Then he put a 4.5x6 medium format transparency on the V700 and gave it a 6400dpi scan (a HUGE file, but he has a dual-processer system with 4GB of RAM). A 100% crop of that slide just about made me faint. I think that he said it would be the equivalent of a 80x96 inch print.

John said he usually uses about 2400 to 4000 depending on what he anticipates the final print to be. In fact, it is capable of 6400dpi, but he reserves that for extremely fine 35mm.

John uses VERY little of the built-in tweaks available from the scanner. However, he DOES use the Unsharp Mask checkbox on the scanner. It still needs some Unsharp Mask in Photoshop even after that. But in the scanning, he sticks with Automatic. I certainly could see nothing wrong with the output on "Automatic"...but then I was still swooning from the "snap crackle pop" of the scan itself!

I haven't seen any results from the oil bath scans, but John has. He said he didn't think it worth the trouble as the V700 exceeds every requirement he would ever want.

I've yet to see results from a 4x5, but it HAS to be pretty damn good, based on the medium format output.

So...I am hoping this will be my last scanner, and that it lasts the 20-25 years that I still expect to live and shoot.

A final consideration was that I am so in love with medium format, and I know I'll be shooting out those years with mostly that format. To me, I feel that I spent well. The cost was $489 with shipping. I also bought a Square Trade warranty at $58 for the first year of coverage, because usually if it's going to crap out, it's not long before that happens. I think that after a year, any problems or downright broken parts would have already shown up.

But again...I'll be scanning with the V700. I have saved some images that you guys havent' seen yet, that I thought were good ones. So...we'll see what we see.

And one thing in all this -- if the scanner does not meet my needs, or is not what I expect, it is easily sold.

Here is a good site for researching. This guy has been pretty honest throughout the years of his reviews, and has actually reviewed in "real time" - meaning "as he uses it" - to give an unbiased report of his real world scanning with the particular piece of equipment.

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%20V700/page_1.htm

[peterqd]

[F16SUNSHINE]

Thanks Peter
This is really useful. The review you sent me to was great. It looks like this machine will be my choice as well. Get ready to see a whole lot of B+W images

[j.lukow]

Seeing all the talk of the V500 and V700 makes me think what about those of us on a tighter budget?
If we are looking at scanning 35mm are any of the "basic" offerings any good?
In checking consumer reviews people either really like or dislike Epson - other than going to another high end scanner has any body had any experience with any of the other brands? In peoples experience are Epson scanners ones that perform head and shoulders above anything else?

[Laurence]

[Hooper]

I've just taken the plunge and ordered a V500 for Ł175 inc del. I had narrowed it down to the V500 and Canon 8800F, and the Epson won it through reading plenty of reviews!

[Laurence]

[Hooper]

It was just down to cost really Laurence!!! I was really tempted by the V700, but as I also have a Nikon D200 on its way to me, couldn't really justify paying twice as much (the V700 retails for about Ł340 here which is roughly $680)!!!

[Laurence]

[Hooper]

thanks for the offer Laurence, i'll certainly bear that in mind!

[j.lukow]

Well I did it. Late last night I clicked a bid on a basic scanner - Epson 2400. I know there's been advice on getting a higher end scanner, but there is no way I can justify a couple hundred dollars on a scanner_the fact that I haven't even told my wife yet . At least at the low cost $40.00 USD shipping included . . . Though the one thing that one should remember about late night bidding is that details can sometimes be missed I now have to look for a AC adapter 24VDC .8A epson At the price I paid I'm still ahead, I think

Before the lectures start . . . I did my research and the reviews were very good - the 2400 was faster than the model with auto film feed for scans and many of the reviews involved people archiving family photos - hundreds of negs/slides and they were happy, so . . .

[Laurence]

j.lukow wrote: Before the lectures start . . . I did my research and the reviews were very good - the 2400 was faster than the model with auto film feed for scans and many of the reviews involved people archiving family photos - hundreds of negs/slides and they were happy, so . . .

No lecture needed whatsoever! The 2400 is a VERY good scanner - I should know, I had the 2450 which is basically the same scanner. For 35mm, the 2450 WAS very good; I only upgraded because I have had "local" requests for beefy enlargements.

I believe that the 2400/2450 can deliver stunning results from 35mm up to 16x20. And medium format will simply blow you away.

You will have fun, and don't forget to find the time soon to let the wife know! It's not like you "sold the farm" to purchase the scanner. Besides, you could have had another "hobby" such as going to taverns, or some other destructive hobby. (That sounds pretty good... ).

[j.lukow]