Looking for a scanner for slides

[Pfreddee]

I'm taking more and more pictures with slide film, and I get some flack at home because I can't share them as easily as prints. I've been looking for a good scanner for slides, both 35mm and MF. What has been everybody's experience with scanners? I'm looking for a scanner upon which I can view the slides easily ; if I want prints made, i'll select those that I want printed, and have a pro lab take care of it.

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[lynnb]

I think you will find a lot of posts and useful advice on this subject if you do a search - try the scanners forum

 

[ZeissFan]

I believe the Nikon film scanners get very high marks. After that, there is the Minolta machine (no longer in production) that's been praised.

Among flatbeds, the Epson V700 and V750 have a good reputation.

Because you're shooting 35mm and medium format, I think that you're looking at the high-end Nikon model or one of the Epson flatbeds.

Some others might perform as well, but these seem to be the ones mentioned most frequently.

 

[Matus]

Here is my first hand experience. I am shooting 35mm, 6x6 and 4x5". After long contemplation I got a Microtek F1 for very similar reasons you mention. I scan my films at 2400 spi and have a Photoshop action to scale them down to 1200 spi (35mm and 6x6) 0r to 800 spi (4x5") for viewing. This yields nice sharp scans. Actually - I did a 50x70 cm print from a 4x5 scan it is is quite nice.

I also use my "low end" scans for posting images on the web (see my flickr) or even smaller prints.

As a rule of thumb you can get 3 - 4 x enlargement of very nice quality from flatbed scanners (Epsons V700, V750, Microtek F1/M1) - especially with MF and larger (4x enlargement from 35mm is just a 4x6" print).

Surely - once you get one of these you will need to spend some time to get decent results - confusion is part of the process 😀

For me - after owning the scanner for nearly a year - I have many more images scanned than before - as there are many that you just want to view/share but not necessarily print ...

 

[Luna]

The OP's thread is confusing as hell, but...
I would suggest sending your stuff to NCPS. They'll process your E-6 and scan it well.
http://www.northcoastphoto.com/

 

[Thardy]

I have a 35mm film scanner and an Epson scanner for medium format. That's pretty cost effective and works quite well.

I recently had my drugstore scan some 35mm film to disk after processing. If you fix them up in PS they are not too bad for sharing online, and you don't have to take hours to do it yourself.

 

[mervynyan]

For 35mm, PlusTek 7600 is cheap and good choice, as you will make print from the slide rather than from digital file. Nikon and Canon are too expensive.

 

[Pfreddee]

A big Thank You for all who replied. I posted a similar question at APUG and was told, in effect, to take a hike. They only do film, no scanners allowed.😕 Go figure.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[Keith]

My Epson V700 does a pretty decent job of scanning slides ... the slide scan frame holds twelve 35mm mounted transparencies at a a time which is OK! I don't shoot slides but I did scan 300 for a friend recently and she was happy with the results.

 

[Brian Puccio]

A big Thank You for all who replied. I posted a similar question at APUG and was told, in effect, to take a hike. They only do film, no scanners allowed.😕 Go figure.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

Yeah, you need to visit the spin off site, http://www.hybridphoto.com/forums/home.php

I don't know why they're such jerks about it, though.

(I've got a coolscan 4000, would have went with a flatbed since I can't justify spending a ton of money and used a service to get nice scans of the frames I really like, but I got a good deal on this. From what I hear, the Epsons are one of the better choices for flatbeds, V700 etc.)

 

[Thardy]

A big Thank You for all who replied. I posted a similar question at APUG and was told, in effect, to take a hike. They only do film, no scanners allowed.😕 Go figure.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

They don't seem to suffer the non regular visitor. Yeah you get that "you're not from 'round heer are ya", type of reception"; but they do use scanners, or they wouldn't have the on line gallery or their "portfolios".

I don't think many post process though. Most scanned images can stand at least a little PP, don't you think? 🙄