Need advice on film scanners
Sep 7, 2017 16:41:13 #
I have a Prime Film 3650u 35mm film scanner bought used. To be kind to it all I can say is it's better than a Wolverine. But not really good. B&H has a Plustek 8200i SE for under $300. Anyone have experience with it? It seems an upgrade for me but is there a big enough difference. Also on B&H (and elsewhere) I find a Braun NovoScan 120 for MF in the low $300s which is very very inexpensive for a MF scanner. I'd be using it for old and current negatives and positives from a Pentax 6x7 and a Rolleicord so it would be counter-productive if it's a "Wolverine-level" scanner. B&H was not very helpful about its quality on the phone. It looks too new to have any reviews. Anyone have any experience or knowledge with this one?
Sep 7, 2017 16:54:16 #
I have two film/slide scanners. I have a Minolta Dimage ll (about $700) and an Innovative Technology scanner ($19 at Christmas Tree Shops). Except for software, they both do the same job, actually the IT is a tad faster scanning. After market software (free) works well with both.
Sep 7, 2017 16:55:54 #
"Quality" is very subjective. One person's treasure is another person's trash. Of course B&H could not give you a definitive answer as to the product's quality.
It would be helpful if you could describe exactly what it was about your previous scanner that you did not like.
It would be helpful if you could describe exactly what it was about your previous scanner that you did not like.
Sep 7, 2017 17:01:05 #
drmike99 wrote:
I have a Prime Film 3650u 35mm film scanner bought... (show quote)
Here's a photo of the "IT" unit.
Sep 7, 2017 17:06:12 #
After reviewing several some years back, I purchased an Epson Perfection 3200. Personally, I think Epson is at the head of the line when it comes to scanning devices for film.
--Bob
--Bob
drmike99 wrote:
I have a Prime Film 3650u 35mm film scanner bought... (show quote)
Sep 7, 2017 17:53:07 #
I own Nikon and Plustek film scanners, and an Epson flatbed scanner. The scanners made specifically for film are much much better than the flatbed. Unfortunately Nikon no longer makes scanners. Of scanners still made, personally I believe Plustek is head of the line - but the Nikon is better by far. Unfortunately, good manufacturers seem to think this market is no longer worth competing in.
Sep 7, 2017 18:40:02 #
rehess wrote:
I own Nikon and Plustek film scanners, and an Epson flatbed scanner. The scanners made specifically for film are much much better than the flatbed. Unfortunately Nikon no longer makes scanners. Of scanners still made, personally I believe Plustek is head of the line - but the Nikon is better by far. Unfortunately, good manufacturers seem to think this market is no longer worth competing in.
Thank you for the comment on the Plustek. I will probably order it.
Sep 7, 2017 18:56:54 #
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=nikon+film+scanner
Based on rehess' suggestions this might be of interest. In fact, it's something I might be interested in. I have thousands of negatives in the basement that go back 100 years. I was thinking of scanning the prints but with all the hassle of doing that it would be cleaner and save a ton of time to scan the negatives. I just couldn't come up with an economical way to do it. Sending negs out for scanning is too pricey. Sending out prints can be affordable but I'm not sure about the quality, especially if they're damaged.
Based on rehess' suggestions this might be of interest. In fact, it's something I might be interested in. I have thousands of negatives in the basement that go back 100 years. I was thinking of scanning the prints but with all the hassle of doing that it would be cleaner and save a ton of time to scan the negatives. I just couldn't come up with an economical way to do it. Sending negs out for scanning is too pricey. Sending out prints can be affordable but I'm not sure about the quality, especially if they're damaged.
Sep 8, 2017 06:41:44 #
I have 2 old HP slide/film scanners that I bought years ago for about $100 each. They do a good job but I will be looking to replace them with something that gives a better dynamic range before film scanners completely disappear. Something that will work with an OP newer than Windows XP. Open for suggestions, as well.
Sep 8, 2017 06:44:51 #
jeryh
Loc: Oxfordshire UK
Go for a Plustec, been in production for a longtime, has always had good reviews
Sep 8, 2017 08:50:13 #
drmike99 wrote:
I have a Prime Film 3650u 35mm film scanner bought... (show quote)
The Epson Perfection V--- Photo series scanners are excellent and relatively inexpensive. I have one and it has given me great results. Check out The Epson Store online. http://epson.com/For-Home/Scanners/Photo-Scanners/c/h220
>Alan
Sep 8, 2017 09:32:10 #
drmike99 wrote:
I have a Prime Film 3650u 35mm film scanner bought... (show quote)
I have a few scanners my epson perfection is maybe the best I've also used dslr with macro lens to shoot the negative too.
Recently I picked up a meopta axomat 35mm enlarger and I wondered if I could use it for scanning negatives. It seems to be a definite maybe.
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/using-your-enlarger-for-scanning-negs.478663/
Someone else had the suggestion of using a flat bed scanner on the enlarger base (i'm not sure if there was any success with that method)
The main problems with using an enlarger are paralax and you need a dark room or even a darkroom to get the exposure.
from the above link
Fujifilm finepix e550 7.2mm f2.8 1/4 second iso 200
After noise removal
The hard part is to position the camera as close to the enlarger axis as possible to avoid parallax the surface of the easel will make a difference too. he used white paper but possibly a white tile or plastic might be better. Unfortunately I only have color negatives to play with so inverting and neutralising the orange mask may be challenging. On the plus side this maybe a very fast way of digitizing negatives.
Sep 8, 2017 09:54:27 #
rmalarz wrote:
After reviewing several some years back, I purchased an Epson Perfection 3200. Personally, I think Epson is at the head of the line when it comes to scanning devices for film.
--Bob
--Bob
We should say, "at the head of the line for affordable film scanners."
The V700, V750, V800 and V850 are about as good as it gets for flatbed scanners and the smaller models are almost as good.
However none of them can match the scan quality of a Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 (no longer made and used they are more expensive than they were new) or other dedicated film scanners. Film scanners can get expensive if you want to scan anything larger than 35mm film.
For a comprehensive comparison see ScanDig - Film scanner test-reports: complete overview of all the models.
Sep 8, 2017 10:11:57 #
Has anyone on the thread actually tried an enlarger projecting directly onto a scanner? If so, please post your experience.
Sep 8, 2017 10:24:03 #
TriX wrote:
Has anyone on the thread actually tried an enlarger projecting directly onto a scanner? If so, please post your experience.
That seems like a kludge that is bound to work poorly if at all.
A more practical solution would be a rig with a macro lens (like a slide copier) to capture a 1:1 image of the film. You would probably need an ANR glass sandwich to flatten the film.
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