Best scanner for a 35 mm hobbyist

[Bill58]

Folks:

Can anyone recommend a scanner that is user-friendly, inexpensive (under $400) and
gives fine results for a weekly volume of only three to four of rolls
of 36 B+W or color negative 35mm film only?

Many thanks,

Bill

 

[dmr]

I hate to keep sounding like a walking-talking infomercial for this one, but I really like the Konica-Minolta Scan Dual IV. If you do a search for that here you will find many threads about it. It's $200-ish street price and does great scans. About the only thing it doesn't have is ICE.

 

[jan normandale]

I can come in behind dmr and say I just set mine up this weekend. Nice!

 

[IGMeanwell]

For $150 you can get the Epson Perfection 3590 ... it has an automatic negative loader ... can scan to 4900 dpi

for the money you can't beat it

it also scans slides as well

 

[T_om]

About the only thing it doesn't have is ICE....

Which is a deal breaker for anyone that has ever had the good fortune to scan film with ICE technology and knows what it can deliver.

If you are shooting 100% B&W, then ICE will not help. If you shot ANY significant percentage of color, C-41 or chromes, then ICE is worth a lot.

Tom

 

[jan normandale]

here's an interesting current thread here at RFF on (two) dedicated vs flatbed scanners

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=215736#post215736

FWIW the DS IV will do slide mounted transparencies

 

[T_om]

I'm OK without having ICE...

But you just said you have never used it? 😕

I was OK walking until I learned to drive, and loved driving best until I learned to fly.

Digital ICE doesn't soften images UNLESS there is physically something in the IR beam path, at which point it does its thing and yes... the area around the dust mote or scratch IS softened somewhat when the defect is digitally removed. Just as it would be if you had to remove the defect by hand later using other PhotoShop tools. But if there is no defect, there is no softening.

Digital ICE has saved me untold hours of PhotoShop work prepping color chromes and negatives.

It is worth EVERY CENT extra it costs.

And this is from someone that HAS used it. Extensively.

Tom

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I'm going to be okay without ICE mainly because I don't shoot much other than black and white due to the ease with which I can develop it on my own. My other love is color positive film and the little bit I shoot won't be a problem. In my case, the Dual Scan III which I am getting is a very good choice. It all depends on your style of shooting and what you shoot. But I would heed what Tom says...he's done this for a while. 😛