Better Scans by replacing Canoscan 8400f?

[Aaron Hellman]

Will I get better BW scans by switching scanners and software?

I currently use a 10-year-old Canoscan 8400F to scan my 35mm BW negatives. I use the Canoscan software's advanced functions. The output is okay, but I am curious if I could get better scans by switching to an Plustek or Epson scanner and/or different software.

Thanks is advance for your views.

 

[jorisvanhoute]

I would be interested in this also 🙂.

 

[k__43]

A plustek gives you way more details at a much more annoying workflow
I'd keep the flatbed and get a Plustek or a Reflecta along - so you make digital "contact sheets" with the flatbed and scan the keepers with the plustek. I had a Plustek 8200 and found the results good enough but the lack of batch scanning killed the fun so I have an old Nikon 8000 now.

 

[marek_]

If you switch switch to a dedicated film scanner, or use a digital camera with macro lens or enlarger lens + bellows, the results will be far better than using a flatbed scanner. I have a Epson v600 which is usable for 35mm b&w and OK for 120 b&w films. I've never found the results when scanning colour usable, but for b&w OK. I now mostly copy my films using an enlarger lens + bellows + Ricoh GXR. The results are far better in regards to detail, reduced digital noise, colour accuracy, smaller file size.

Have a look through the scanning sub-forums here - there's plenty of info and useful advice.