loneranger
Well-known
I was wondering what dedicated film scanner (both 35mm and Medium format) you guys would recommend. Ofcourse, one that is reasonable in price. Thanks for your help.
best film scanner
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rich815
Guest
Nikon, Minolta, Canon. All good.
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rich815
Guest
Epson is pretty good too.
Your skills in scanning and learning how to scan are more important than the nuances and difference on any of those scanners. You'll find people who like all, and some who do not.
I personally use Epson flatbeds with trannie adapters, Nikon LS-4000 and 9000 and have used LS-IV and Minolta Dual Scans too. And I've seen very good scans from Canon scanners...
Your skills in scanning and learning how to scan are more important than the nuances and difference on any of those scanners. You'll find people who like all, and some who do not.
I personally use Epson flatbeds with trannie adapters, Nikon LS-4000 and 9000 and have used LS-IV and Minolta Dual Scans too. And I've seen very good scans from Canon scanners...
mfogiel
Veteran
If you are lucky enough to get a good one second hand, the Minolta Dimage Multi Pro is probably the best performance /cost bet, but it is out of production. If you do not find it, start searching for the Nikon Coolscan 9000, do not waste time on flatbeds, particularly if you do 35mm. The hassle of shooting film is justified, in my opinion, if the scope is superior quality. With an inadequate scanner you will be in hell - a lot of PITA with film and results not even on par with digital.
aad
Not so new now.
On the other hand, search out the photos of Sanders McNew on this forum, look at his pictures, and read about his scanning technique.
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varjag
Guest
Nikon Coolscan 9000
loneranger
Well-known
Thanks, but $1900 for the coolscan 9000 is really out of my budget, I need something less than a grand that can do medium format and 35.
sooner
Well-known
I solved your problem by buying a Minolta Dimage Scan Elite II for slides and a Epson 4490 flatbed for medium format. Both work well, although I suspect I need to learn the nuances others speak of here, because I don't get beautiful scans. Whatever you get, make sure you have ICE, it's a must have.
chikne
Well-known
I bought second hand Minolta Multi Pro about a year ago, used it for a while, sold it for twice the price I paid for it. Then recently I got a flatbed Epson 4490, there is a massive difference between the two, $1500, you will have a hard time if you want to get a Multi pro for less than $1900 - $2000! 8x10 prints made with the Epson match the ones from the Multi Pro.
And don't forget that if you ever get a problem with your Multi pro, it will be good for the bin since Minolta is history and Sony won't service them + those scanners came out a few years ago and most of them must have been put to good use.....
Is it about what you've got, or is it about what you do with it?
And don't forget that if you ever get a problem with your Multi pro, it will be good for the bin since Minolta is history and Sony won't service them + those scanners came out a few years ago and most of them must have been put to good use.....
Is it about what you've got, or is it about what you do with it?
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
get a Nikon Coolscan V for $500 for the 35mm, and an epson flatbed for the MF stuff. That should round out at about a grand.
The quality of the Epson isn't as high, and they don't work very well for 35mm, but the larger negs are more forgiving.
If you don't plan to print larger than 11x14 you should be fine with that combination.
If you want to go larger, you'll probably have to pay more. Or outsource. And a dedicated MF scanner will cost you (the Nikon 9000 starts to look like a bargain compared to the imacons and some other solutions)
The quality of the Epson isn't as high, and they don't work very well for 35mm, but the larger negs are more forgiving.
If you don't plan to print larger than 11x14 you should be fine with that combination.
If you want to go larger, you'll probably have to pay more. Or outsource. And a dedicated MF scanner will cost you (the Nikon 9000 starts to look like a bargain compared to the imacons and some other solutions)
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