AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

After reading a number of reviews, I've almost made up my mind on an Epson V550 Perfection scanner as my latest bit of gear. I've dusted off my Nikkor and Patterson tanks and reels, and just ordered some C-41 and B/W chemistry online. At this point I'm thinking that scanning at 4800 PPI and importing into LR as a TIFF file will give me huge files and decent quality images for outsourced large printing or smaller prints on my HP 3150 printer.

So, before I click the purchase button on a new or refurbed V550, is there anything I need to know that would convince me to wait or save up more funds for a higher end model? I'm shooting mostly 120 and 35mm film, with an occasional 4x5 image as well, but I don't want to upgrade the price significantly just for the 4x5 capability. It comes with 120 and 35mm negative holders, as well as a holder for 2x2 mounted slides. I've also read some interesting reviews of the "Better Scanning" film holders, which seem like a worthwhile upgrade if I'm not getting the quality or speed I need from the Epson film holders.

Anyone have thoughts or suggestions?

Andy

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Andy, first off, Epson scanners are the way to go. I would also look into using Silverfast software to drive the scanner.

I have purchased products from "Better Scanning" and highly recommend that company. The owner is a delight to do business with. The quality of the products is also extremely high.

Yes, the next step up to do 4x5 is pricey, but you may want to consider it for any future large format work. Just as an aside, I've been using the same Epson scanner that I purchased in 2001. They make good and dependable equipment.
--Bob

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Agreed! Silverfast Ai is definitely the best scanning software.

Some Epson are bundled with it. Some with a "lite" version, others with a "pro" version.

Silverfast is VERY expensive to buy separately (upwards of $400, last time I looked). It's a MUCH better deal if you can get it in a bundle with the scanner.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Have had my Epson Perfection V500 Photo for quite a few years now and am very happy with it. I have scanned a lot of negatives, slides, and prints including quite a few B&W prints and colored prints from my parents and grandparents going back to the early 1900s. The biggest issue is not with the scanner, but cleaning the dust off the film or prints before scanning. It's not a huge problem, just a pain in the ass. You can always remove the ones you miss in PP. The V500 has held up very well over the years and I still get notices of software updates from Epson. I also use it for office type stuff like scanning signed documents to pdfs to Email.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Here's an old thread I posted in a different forum that you may want to read. Not all the photos are still there but some are. It contains info you'll want to consider and I'll check back later to see if you have more questions: https://fujix-forum.com/threads/interesting-film-scanning-info.77689/

Joe

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Do it. I have the 550 and have scanned old 120 and 35mm. I'm pleased with my results.

In one case, I have a 45 year old, carefully preserved favorite B&W print of my wife. I shot it with Nikon gear. I found and scanned the Tri-X negative, imported it to Lightroom, made some mild adjustments and printed it on a Canon Pro-100. The "new" print is a LOT better than the "old" print.

The "old" print took a darkroom and equipment that cost thousands when I built it. The scanner and printer combined cost about $300.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks, Bob! Great advice, as always. I discovered the Better Scanning film holders on a YouTube video. I'm not sold on any of the wet mount methods.

I have seen some videos on stitching to 6cm wide scans together to produce 4x5 images. I should be able to image stitch in Lightroom. So I think I'll just pull the trigger on the V550 and hold onto my old negatives. The view times I've hauled out the Speed Graphic, I've tended to use the Graflex 120 back anyway.

I'm looking forward to the feeling of agitating a stainless steel tank again, and to shortening the one week delay between winding up and sealing the roll and seeing the images.

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I've read a lot of "love it" reviews of Silverfast, as well as some "hate it" opinions. I have Vuescan on my computer, not sure whether both Epson and Silverfast are included - it seems to depend more on where you purchase it.

Can you explain what you like about it? Is it more speed, quality, ease of use, or something else entirely?

Thanks!
Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks, Joe. I'll check it out tonight when I have more free time.

Andy

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

I'm not sure of the price difference but I have the Epson V600 which is the most often recommended make and model by Hoggers. I've scanned hundreds of 35mm slides as well as prints and the V600 does a superb job even providing a fair amount of "post processing" capabilities along with some pretty advanced (but slower running) dust/spot/flaw removal technology.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I have that scanner, & i cant imagine any BETTER....RJM

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I think I would consider the V600 as well. Indeed I will purchase one shortly.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I bought the V850 when my Nikon died a second death. I'm still struggling with it and with the SilverFast software. I'm so spoiled by the Nikon scanner that I've used for years. I have finally gotten decent scans from the new equipment/software, but it required LOTS of computer work after the scan to get it right, which I didn't expect to have to do. It does a beautiful job of scanning printed photos. 35MM is OK. It actually does a better job on my 120 film than on the 35mm. I haven't done any 4x5 yet.

My resulting images are quite large, which is OK, as my new computer can handle them. My PS can't. I guess there's a limit to the size it can do. I do like that it's faster than the Nikon, and if you want small scans, it can batch scan and does so quickly.

I'm not willing to say this is a great scanner. It's a scanner, it works sometimes, and it allows me to continue shooting film AND use Windows 10. So I have to learn to love it.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

What additional features to expect to gain? If they're important to me, I might also consider it. I'm not one to upgrade anything just because there's a "Latest and Greatest" version available.

Andy

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

I've got an Epson V550 and use it to scan larger format negatives. Instead of using the Epson supplied negative holders I just put the large negatives on the plate and do multiple scans Left to right. (I'm a lefty) Then I use Photoshop elements or Affinity to do a panorama - voila - a full sized copy of the negative.

As a guide, I put a translucent ruler on the bottom edge of the scanner and marked the scan edges on the ruler. That also ensures the negative placement will be consistent. I also usually put a sheet of glass on top of the negative to flatten it.

Using this method I scanned a bunch of negatives my brother processed in his home darkroom 70+ years ago, including some of my baby pictures.