Film/slide scanning (Page 2): i've got an epson that does a good job, but it's slow - and no way to batch it. also, it's a lot of work pre or post to get rid of dust, scratches, etc...

cascoly Loc: seattle

i've got an epson that does a good job, but it's slow - and no way to batch it. also, it's a lot of work pre or post to get rid of dust, scratches, etc

i've also had several thousand images done thru scancafe.com - using their pro service it's about $.25-$.35 per scan AND you only pay for the ones you want - you dont have to pay for scans that turned out to be out of focus, poorly lit for scanning, etc -- i'm working thru a 35K slide collection and will definitely be using them again

s

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

G. Crook wrote:

Thanks for all of the information. I have heard that Plustec (?) has good scanners. Thoughts on them? If not I guess I will have to look at Epsons. Years ago I had a Canon flatbed scanner and I was underwhelmed with any scans of papers, etc.

I believe Plustek is better than Epson. It can do a "multiscan" and it has no glass between sensor and media.

Valsmere Loc: New Jersey

Not to hijack the thread but thank you all for the information. My next project I have been toying with is scanning some of my old prints and my mom gave to me my fathers old negatives and slides from his tour in Vietnam.

PeterBergh

G. Crook wrote:

Thanks for all of the information. I have heard that Plustec (?) has good scanners. Thoughts on them? If not I guess I will have to look at Epsons. Years ago I had a Canon flatbed scanner and I was underwhelmed with any scans of papers, etc.

I have a PlusTek 120 (scans 120 film and 35 mm slides and negative strips but nothing else) and I have been very pleased with it. The only caveat is that I would do as little processing as possible with the accompanying software (SilverFast); for me, it got quite flaky when I tried to do any processing, particularly their "automatic" processing. You also need to make sure that SilverFast scans at an appropriate resolution and outputs a format that your processing software can handle (e.g., PSD if you use the Adobe suite).

I scanned ~ 250 6x7 cm transparencies and ~ 200 35 mm slides, so the unit more than paid for itself -- counting my hourly wage as zero -- as compared to having somebody scanning the images for me. (My local outfit charges $70 per 6x7 cm transparency and somewhat less for slides; I paid $1700 at B&H for the scanner with SilverFast.)

ddgm Loc: Hamilton, Ontario & Fort Myers, FL

I have a Nikon LS 5000 scanner with the SF-210 slide feeder which holds 50 slides. I have done all my family slides and negatives and am contemplating selling it on eBay.
I have the original boxes also. Still undecided about selling. It scans at 4000 DPI and I am using VueScan on Windows 10 and OSX Sierra.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

G. Crook wrote:

Perhaps the wrong site but, hereÃ¢ÂÂs my question: I have found, literally, a suitcase full of various sizes of slides and negatives, both color and BW (they belonged to my parents). Probably at least 2,000 slides alone with at least that many negatives. I want to digitize them but sending them out would bankrupt me. Any thoughts on a scanner that wonÃ¢ÂÂt cost me a small fortune? Thanks in advance.

Ive got tons of slides I took while in the navy during Korea. Every once in a while Ill dig through them to find one I remember taken.

Thats me on the left.
Thats me on the left....

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm in agreement with Bill. I've got a 17 year old Epson Perfection 3200 that is doing as well as ever. Good quality and dependability. I use Silverfast for my scanning software.
--Bob

G. Crook wrote:

Perhaps the wrong site but, here’s my question: I have found, literally, a suitcase full of various sizes of slides and negatives, both color and BW (they belonged to my parents). Probably at least 2,000 slides alone with at least that many negatives. I want to digitize them but sending them out would bankrupt me. Any thoughts on a scanner that won’t cost me a small fortune? Thanks in advance.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Thanks for the idea. I just might try macro copying my slides as I can't get good results with my Nikon Cool Scan 4000 anymore. And my Vue Scan software which I paid $39 for has stated embedding watermarks in my scans all of a sudden. It is virtually impossible to get in touch with customer service at Vue Scan or Hamrick, anymore also.

burkphoto wrote:

A reasonably priced scanner is the Epson V600, which retails for under $240, and can be had for around $169 at times. Epsons are reliable, and they have really good software (if you take the time to learn how to use it, which some impatient people don't know how to do). Scan times are long, but the software can do SOME of the post processing for you (dust and scratch removal, sharpening, negative image reversal, color correction or restoration...). You'll still need to tweak images later, if you're picky.

The biggest advantage of the flatbed scanner is that it will convert prints, slides, black-and-white negatives, and color negatives. The V600 will work with 8x10 and smaller prints, or 120/220/620 size film up to 6x22cm. If you have larger negatives, you need one of the high end Epsons.

The other method you'll find is macrophotography and full manual post-processing. This involves:

• A suitable, color-correct, full-spectrum light source
• A suitable slide or negative holder to keep the film flat
• Film cleaning supplies (PEC-12 film cleaner, PEC Pads, Staticmaster brush, Dust-Off, Giotto Rocket Blower, Ilford Anti-Staticum... I use 'em all)
• A device to align the camera with the film so the image is plano-parallel with the sensor
• A suitable macro lens capable of 1:1 reproduction, or an enlarging lens on a bellows
• DARK surroundings to keep flare under control
• A dSLR or mirrorless camera compatible with the macro lens
• Post-processing software such as Lightroom, Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Capture One Pro...

Short of using a $25,700 Hasselblad Flextight, I've found the macrophotography method to yield the best results. Capture is instantaneous (1/125 second or so), but post-processing takes time and skill. I always save raw images. I have to invert the curves on negatives, and then do cropping, color correction, dust spotting, sharpening... It takes a while for a batch of images. So I have to do it selectively.

If you're just starting out, the Epson V-series flatbeds are the best compromises for the money. Most of the cheaper scanners are pretty awful. The $100 ones are for "snap shooters" who don't care about quality. Heck, if you're that cheap, you can make a slide copier from your smartphone and a piece of PVC pipe with a couple of slots in it! There are videos on YouTube that show you how.

The three samples below were macrophotographed with a 30mm f/2.8 Lumix lens on a Panasonic GH4, using a homemade rig. Post-processing in Adobe Lightroom CC 2015 and/or Photoshop CC 2017.
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A reasonably priced scanner is the Epson V600, whi... (show quote)

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I have the Plustek 8200I it is a dedicated film scanner. I use the Silverfast software that came with it. It is slow so I do it when I am working on other stuff. I'm very happy with scans of 40 to 50 year old negatives and newer slides. I use the max settings and the files are 175MB. You will need plenty of hard drive space. I think B&H currently has it on sale. Good luck.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

G. Crook wrote:

Perhaps the wrong site but, here’s my question: I have found, literally, a suitcase full of various sizes of slides and negatives, both color and BW (they belonged to my parents). Probably at least 2,000 slides alone with at least that many negatives. I want to digitize them but sending them out would bankrupt me. Any thoughts on a scanner that won’t cost me a small fortune? Thanks in advance.

I have hundreds of color slides, about half of which I've scanned. I bought a PrimeFilm scanner from Pacific Image about 10 years ago, back when Windows Vista was a new operating system. I scanned many slides initially and then got too busy. I was quite surprised to find that they had a new driver that works with Windows 10 and I'm back at scanning (either JPEG or TIFF). It appears the the current model is the PrimeFilm XA, available at Amazon for $429. I've been happy with mine, but it's a slow process. The only issue with the scanner is that it only does 35mm slides and negatives and it sounds like you need to scan other formats. I scan photos on the flatbed scanner that is part of my Canon G3200 inkjet printer. It's exciting to see slides from over 40 years ago.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Silverfast is so expensive but I've wondered if it would help my situation. My problem is I can't tell if it's a hardware or software issue with my scans.

rmalarz wrote:

I'm in agreement with Bill. I've got a 17 year old Epson Perfection 3200 that is doing as well as ever. Good quality and dependability. I use Silverfast for my scanning software.
--Bob

JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

I have an Epson V500 which scans at an optical resolution of 6400 dpi. I have a massive project I haven't started yet, consisting of prints, negatives, and half-frame 35mm slides. Any suggestions for a novice before getting started?

When scanning, would you recommend utilizing Digital ICE, Dust Removal turned on at medium level, or turn both off and rely on post processing in Photoshop?

ddgm Loc: Hamilton, Ontario & Fort Myers, FL

Fotoartist wrote:

Silverfast is so expensive but I've wondered if it would help my situation. My problem is I can't tell if it's a hardware or software issue with my scans.

Have you tried VueScan?

GED Loc: North central Pa

I purchased a Nikon Coolscan 9000 on ebay to scan all my 35mm slides then when finished after switching to digital I sold it on ebay for about what I originally paid for it. Net cost to scan thousands of slides was minimal, however you would also need the vuescan software. But the scanner did an excellent job.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

JeffR wrote:

I have an Epson V500 which scans at an optical resolution of 6400 dpi. I have a massive project I haven't started yet, consisting of prints, negatives, and half-frame 35mm slides. Any suggestions for a novice before getting started?

When scanning, would you recommend utilizing Digital ICE, Dust Removal turned on at medium level, or turn both off and rely on post processing in Photoshop?

Learn all the controls available in the EPSON driver’s Professional Mode. ICE is really useful, but not perfect. It saves tons of post-processing time, but you’ll still need some.

The more you can do to get a good scan, the easier the experience in post-processing.

Get several different film cleaning supplies like Photosol PEC-12, PEC Pads, Dust-Off, Staticmaster brush, Giotto Rocket Blower, and Ilford Antistaticum. Clean gently. Cleaning film is easier than cleaning files.