 Stephen R |
Scanner Equipment I've been investigating purchasing a scanner for a while as I have 35mm slides and negs, color and B/W, that I want to scan. I've used various local and m/o photo retailers so far. Prices range from $.50 to $12 per scan(plus extras, CD and such) and quality is generally a crapshoot, but usually it gets better with the higher price lab. But buying a scanner could be too, as one may find upon ownership of a blindly bought, expensive, unfamiliar piece of equipment. I want to avoid ending up being disappointed with what I purchase. And for me, the degree of disappointment will be worse the more $$ spent. Paying more means expecting more; the more costly purchase not meeting my performance expectations will be more agonizing than going the cheaper route. Balancing my needs, wants, etc., I began with a $500 or less price in mind; so started looking at flatbeds that did 35mm slides/negs spec'd at 4800dpi optical res. HP G4050, Microjet 5950, i800, Epson 4490 and 4990, etc. Epson V700 is the one I may buy. And it's price of $500-$550 has now made me question if a true film scanner, the $550 Nikon Coolscan V ED is better? Is it's performance better and if so, slightly or magnitudes better? Some reviews say the V700 is excellent compared with film scanners. I don't know if I believe it. I've also read that scanner s/w used can make a big difference in scan quality and that Silverfast is best; V700 has the SE version included. I believe 'fixing' the image at the scan will give better results than trying to tweak it in Paintshop. Not looking to do batches or spend lots of time at it, I'd rather shoot photos than 'shoot' already-shot slides and negs. All I 'know' is from playing around on a scanning AIO myself(mostly not satisfactory), the scans I've purchased, and what I've gleaned from forums. The 'focus' method on the V700 seems hokey for such an expensive model -- but how important is auto-focus and ability to manual focus? Using Epson's method of moving the slide away from the platen might be maddening, I think. And I've never really liked the idea of that glass separating the image from the scanning lens. So, the V700 or Coolscan?? Desired output; 8" minimum, up to 11", 13", maybe 17" wide inkjet and lab prints.
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wildlifetrailphotography.com - Donald R. Curry Contact Donald R. Curry Donald R. Curry's Gallery |
Stephen, I have used the Coolscan V for a couple of years for scanning mostly slides. I have done a few negatives as well. I found the quality to be very good. It is also user friendly. It does not do batches, so it is slow going if you have a lot of scans to do. I have not used any other scanner so I have nothing to campare it with. Many of the photos on my Delux site are from this scanner.
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Mark Feldstein |
I've got the Epson V-700 and the supplied software. Easy to set-up, a breeze to use with the supplied masks or holders for single or multiple slides or negs or even prints. Excellent piece of equipment, IMHO, and great value. Directions are easy to follow AND AND their tech support if you have either a hardware or software question or problem is top shelf as well in Canada not Manilla. Nice touch. M.
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Daniel McIntyre |
I have a Nikon Coolscan V ED . We got it a few months ago and have been scanning slides on it with great results . The software that comes with works well with slide scans . We have tried scanning black & white film and got ok results . But others had said that there is better software out there for silver based film like Tmax / HP5 ... we have not tried it . One other thing .... Kodak processing puts notches in film and the scanner needs a special holder for them ... a few bucks more ... should be standard equipment I think .... bit hey , that was a move on Kodak's part not Nikon.
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Stephen R |
Thanks, So Mark, printing v700 scans from both 35mm and reflective prints consistently yield results that can be printed at 10" wide and have excellent appearance? I know Epson has excellent c/s, own a photo printer. If I go for the flatbed 700, and I like that it is more versatile than film scanner, then I wonder if models like the 4490 and HP G4050 at less than half the price might be Ok. Are these two in the same class as v700, because the diff in prices may be partly due to the obvious s/w upgrade on 700, and b/c they are older models. Or is the dual-lens 700 a real step up? Would comparisons of say, the v700 and 4490's printed output at 8-10" wide be hardly noticeable, somewhat or easily? If it's hardly or maybe even somewhat, that'd be a value I'll go for. If it's easily, I pass. Also, I know a slide scan is previewed and scans as the positive image it is, like a reflective print scan, what abt a neg? Does it remain a neg after the scan, and if so, how do you make any adj's to a neg preview b/4 scan? Thnks for your input.
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Mark Feldstein |
I don't know the real differences between one version of the V-700 or the dual lens set-up. I guess mine is the older single lens version. I also don't usually print off of it but rather run scans for clients or archival back-up purposes. I send all my printing out to commercial shops because the enlargements are larger than one could support on at home equipment any way. Still, as I mentioned, it's sure reliable, accurate and a breeze to set up and use. Why not find a local dealer and see if you can scan an image or two and print it out using the type of paper that you'd use normally? "Try before you buy" seems to be a useful technique these days. BTW, I bought mine from B&H in NY. Excellent pricing on it there at the time.
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Stephen R |
Thanks, Mark. Maybe I was unclear; all V700s have the dual-lens setup(4800 and 6400dpi respectively). The 4490 doesn't. The 6400dpi lens is engaged when doing neg/slide work, per Epson's specs. If you send your scans out for 'larger than home equipment supports' enlargements, and are pleased, that answers my question abt. V700 scan quality! I wouldn't be asking in this forum if there were a local dealer that had in stock and connected to show me a few trial scans from my own slides. That was my own initial wish, and would probably make it all pretty clear. Heck, in this cowtown there isn't a Nikon dealer that even has all DSLR models in stock -- no D200 or 300, just the lower-end ones and yet also the D3! Some not even the D80. And they call themselves photo eqpt(Nikon)dealers! I deal with B&H all the time, the best of the M/O lot. Thanks again,
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wildlifetrailphotography.com - Donald R. Curry Contact Donald R. Curry Donald R. Curry's Gallery |
Stephen, A negative scanned with a slide scanner looks like a positive after the scan.
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Daniel McIntyre |
Why you would need more than 4000 DPI is beond me . You seem to be answering your own questions .... If you were buying a car http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=310476&is=REG&si=rev#anchorToReadReviews Go buy the dam thing alreddy !
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