Epson V700/750

[bjolester]

This is my first post on this forum, but I have been following the discussions in the scanner section of RF with great interest for quite some time.

I am planning to purchase an Epson V700 or V750 to scan my 120 films, and have some questions:

1. Has there been any indications that Epson is planning a successor to the V700/V750?

2. Are there any hardware differences between the V700/V750, besides the anti reflective lens coatings? Does the extra software and wet mounting tray justify going for the more expensive V750?

I am grateful for any advice on this matter.

Regards
Bjørn

 

[lawrence]

1. I doubt that they will replace these scanners, after all why should they when there's no competition in the price bracket?

2. I have never used any of the extras that came with my V750 and would probably have been just as happy with the V700. The Epson scanning software is very good, unlike the wretched Silverfast. I do have VueScan but use that exclusively with my Canon FS4000US film scanner.

3. If you are planning to scan 120 you might like to take a look at the film holder from Better Scanning, it's very nicely made compared to the one that comes with the scanner.

 

[thegman]

I had a V700 a couple of years ago, sold it as I thought I was going to start shooting digital. Soon afterwards I realised digital was not for me, and I have just bought another V700.

I have not heard of any replacement of the V700 or V750 Pro, but then, I don't work at Epson, they may have some amazing scanner in the works, we just don't know.

I think you've enumerated the differences pretty well between the V700 & V750.

Personally I think the V700 is good enough for just about everything. I have some slides with a huge amount of contrast which it struggles with, but I'm getting there, just working out a good technique etc.

Before the V700, I had use of a Canoscan 9000f (or 9500f, or something like that), and for 35mm and medium format, I really don't think it's any worse than the V700. I got the V700 because I wanted to do 4x5, if you're not doing large format, I think the Canons are worth a look.

On the small number of occasions where the V700 or Canoscan is not enough, I could send off for a drum scan, but I've not had the need yet.

 

[thegman]

I second the BetterScanning recommendation too, for 4x5, the negs seem to hold themselves pretty flat, but some medium format film is pretty curly, and a bit of anti-newton glass soon pins them down flat.

 

[Frank Petronio]

At the price point, the 700 is the only scanner to consider and the Better Scanning Holders do make a difference.

However you make a bigger difference by testing to find the optimal height (focus) for whatever holder you are using. You can make decent scans with the Epson holder if you tape the curling film taunt and flat. Working with the Anti-Newton glass requires another step in cleanliness.

And you also make a difference by disassembling the scanner and cleaning out the off-gassed plastic haze from the platen on an annual basis. Why they ship them with the plastics fogging the glass is criminal customer abuse....

Wet scanning can be messy but it does help, but at what point would it just be better to get a used drum scanner?

It's the only decent scanner made at this price point but it is not very well made. However it may well be the last semi-professional scanner made at all and there is no incentive for Epson to develop a better model or improve its quality.

 

[bjolester]

Thank you all very much for useful advice on the Epson scanners. It is interesting to read about your experience with these scanners.

I have found a shop here in Norway that sells the V700 new for 475 euro, the lowest price I can find the V750 new for is about 770 euro. So there is quite a price difference. Maybe then I should go for the V700 + better scanning holder?

There is a local photolab that has an Imacon scanner, and the competence to use it, if I end up with an extraordinarily good capture (it might happen one day🙂...), or if I need to print something in a large format. There is also the possibility of sending film abroad for drum scanning.

 

[Fernando2]

I know I may sound repetitive, and I apologize for that.
Anyway, once again let me post a link to my review of the V700: it's in italian, but I really think it may be of help.

I can translate parts if needed, just quote here what you want me to translate.

http://www.effeunoequattro.net/htdocs/freecontent/FC_ProvaV700/index.php

Fernando

 

[Bob Michaels]

I certainly would not worry about a successor since there have not been any significant advancements in scanner technology in the last ten years (since introduction of DIGITAL ICE) and I cannot believe anyone is investing R&D in a diminishing market. The scan quality remains a function of optical quality, electronics quality, and mechanical rigidity and not technology as it has for 20 years. Some of the highest quality scanners were made 20 years ago.

........
1. Has there been any indications that Epson is planning a successor to the V700/V750?
.......

 

[Frank Petronio]

The next "scanner" will likely be a movable x-y axis camera rig with stitching and orange mask removal software, a DSLR and macro lens. Several designers are working on these, I hope a reasonable priced one comes out.

You can do a half-a$$ job with a slide duplicating rig right now, but a stitched HDR file could be the supreme "scan".

 

[bjolester]

I know I may sound repetitive, and I apologize for that.
Anyway, once again let me post a link to my review of the V700: it's in italian, but I really think it may be of help.

I can translate parts if needed, just quote here what you want me to translate.

http://www.effeunoequattro.net/htdocs/freecontent/FC_ProvaV700/index.php

Fernando

I have already read your review through google translate, it is very informative. Thank you for sharing!

Bob Michaels: I guess you are right about scanner technology advancement. It is a pity though that Epson have not updated the V700/V750 series, with for example a better lens, enabling a higher resolution.

I am still not certain if the V750 is worth the extra money... Is it a better scanner than the V700?

 

[Fernando2]

It is a pity though that Epson have not updated the V700/V750 series, with for example a better lens, enabling a higher resolution.

And a latest-generation LED light source, enabling a longer life.
I briefly tested the V500, which has a white LED lamp instead of the CCFL lamp of the V7x0.
The V500 has very low resolution, but a bit better color reproduction and a bit better dynamic range. And its warm up time is zero.

I am still not certain if the V750 is worth the extra money... Is it a better scanner than the V700?

No, their performances are identical from what I've seen.
I've never seen any difference due to the lens coating; on paper it should have less flare, but with all those glass surfaces in the optical path (flatbed design) I'm not sure coating the lens or not makes a big difference.
And the wet mounting accessory is way less effective than a Betterscan: no height-adjustment, not useable for reversed wet mounting (the most effective way of w.m.).

Fernando

 

[quejai]

The next "scanner" will likely be a movable x-y axis camera rig with stitching and orange mask removal software, a DSLR and macro lens. Several designers are working on these, I hope a reasonable priced one comes out.

You can do a half-a$$ job with a slide duplicating rig right now, but a stitched HDR file could be the supreme "scan".

This is almost exactly what I did today.

My enlarger rotates 90 degrees, so that you can project against a wall; and thus have more magnification than otherwise for prints. I temporarily removed the lens assembly, so that it is now essentially a very bright, vertical lightbox. Using a reverse mounted 55-200mm nikon lens (I think), this is the result of stitching together 6 shots.

The only cost was time and reverse-mount adaptor rings!


Originally shot with a mamiya 6 50mm on Acros 100 in Rodinal 1:50.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laquejai/11306500643/sizes/l/

 

[Fernando2]

The next "scanner" will likely be a movable x-y axis camera rig with stitching and orange mask removal software, a DSLR and macro lens. Several designers are working on these, I hope a reasonable priced one comes out.

Yes, fully agreed.
I did some tests myself, using a cross-slide bench, a reproduction table and a Canon 5DmkII with macro lens and remote shooting software.
I quickly realized I needed some custom hardware (precision-machined arm and special head) to get camera and film perfectly parallel, so I gave up, but it can be done for sure without too much money.
I really hope someone will shortly produce a good kit at a reasonable price. Say everything except DSLR and lens (but including motors, illumination and wet-mounting holder) for < $1000. Then I'm in.

 

[benlees]

Be warned: if you buy a v700 you will end up buying a 4x5 camera.

 

[bjolester]

Be warned: if you buy a v700 you will end up buying a 4x5 camera.

Hehe🙂 Well, I have a Pentax 67ii system that I really love. The 4x5 format is impressive, but for now learning to use my Pentax 67ii and Pentax DSLRs is an ambitious enough project.

Thank you all for very helpful advice regarding Epson V7X0 scanners!

 

[BLKRCAT]

I love my V700.


Untitled by nownownownow, on Flickr

M2, 35mm Biogon F2 Tmax 100 Xtol.

I use the epson holders but make sure to take most of the curl out of the film. I also put the film in the holders backwards to how epson recommends. Emulsion side DOWN. I find I get a much sharper result this way.

I'm also using Silverfast SE that is included with the V700.