Epson V750 Soft (OOF) Scans

[RayPA]

Hi,

I just picked up an Epson V750. My first initial scans of 35 mm color negatives have not been good. I cannot get an in-focus scan at any of the shim settings. I'm using Vuescan. I called Epson, but of course they want to troubleshoot using EpsonScan (which for some reason I can't start on my Mac (hmmm)).

Anyway, is anyone using Vuescan with this scanner, and if so, any issues?
or
Has anyone had focus issues on the V750 and if so, how were the issues resolved?

tia

/

 

[amateriat]

Ray: What Mac are you using, and which flavor of OS X?

I haven't used this scanner myself, but I've set up a few V750s for clients, the last one on a large-sh Intel-based iMac running Tiger.


- Barrett

 

[venchka]

Ray,

Have you tried downloading the latest version of Epson Scan from the Epson web page? I'm using an old version of Epson Scan on an equally old Epson 1680 with good results on a PC with XP. A friend has a 4990 and he uses Epson Scan on a Mac Mini with equally good results.

 

[pmu]

Hi,
I cannot get an in-focus scan at any of the shim settings.

That is normal. That's why I hate them.

Epson + 6x7 frame:

Coolscan 35mm scanner + 35mm frame:

Originals:

 

[Svitantti]

I dont think the software will make images softer.

What you could do, is find the correct height for the film holder. There are 3 settings for it: without the risers, then with the arrows in the risers facing two different directions.

This would probably make the original scans a bit sharper, but I dont know if it will affect much the final images if they are for web use. For printing I guess it could be important...

Anyway for 35mm, no flatbed will be even close to a Nikon Coolscan V or such. A Konica-Minolta film scanner will also surely beat it for 35mm. I wouldn't buy any flatbed for 35mm, but if you need larger formats...

 

[bobbyrab]

I bought one last July, but have only recently taken it out of it's box, so far I'm very disappointed with the results in the film holder, the sharpest I've achieved so far is laying the film directly on the glass, which can't be right. I've sent sample images off to Epson with scans from the v750, and the same scan on a Noritsu, the latter being much better, but I think there's something wrong with the focus. One of the reasons I bought the scanner was talking to a landscape photographer who's work Epson was using to promote the scanner at the FOCUS show in Birmingham, but if this is as good as it'll do, then there's no way those prints where used to make those prints.

 

[RayPA]

Thanks for the replies!

@Barret I'm using a PowerPC based Mac (G5) running Tiger.

I don't believe that the EpsonScan software will make a bit of difference, but Epson swears there are "settings" that have to be made. 🙄 They're stonewalling me with the "We don't support third-party blah, blah, blah" spiel. So, yes, I'm going to DL the latest version from the website to see if I can get a working application (I should know better than to install off the CD packed with the hardware). I'll let Epson support give it a shot, and if they can't get it to work, it's going back.


@ PMU, thanks for the samples. your scans look better than mine. My scans have an overall oof quality that looks like the circle shape in your 6x7 scan. I'll try to post some later.

@Svitantti I use a KM dediecated 35mm scanner (wonderful device) and whereas I'd much rather have the Coolscan, they are expensive and rarely in stock. I'd like a flatbed for MF, LF, prints, and gang scans of 35mm. I'd prefer to scan selected frames with the KM, I'd like the V750 to at least be able to scan a 35 mm negative crisply. I don't think that's asking too much of a flatbed. My Epson 4180 used to do that very well.🙂

/

 

[gilpen123]

I'm surprised that V750 can not provide a good scan. I use V500 and I get good reults but I scan only B&W. Can you give us your settings?

 

[wray]

Thanks for the replies!

@Barret I'm using a PowerPC based Mac (G5) running Tiger.

I don't believe that the EpsonScan software will make a bit of difference, but Epson swears there are "settings" that have to be made. 🙄 They're stonewalling me with the "We don't support third-party blah, blah, blah" spiel. So, yes, I'm going to DL the latest version from the website to see if I can get a working application (I should know better than to install off the CD packed with the hardware). I'll let Epson support give it a shot, and if they can't get it to work, it's going back.


@ PMU, thanks for the samples. your scans look better than mine. My scans have an overall oof quality that looks like the circle shape in your 6x7 scan. I'll try to post some later.

@Svitantti I use a KM dediecated 35mm scanner (wonderful device) and whereas I'd much rather have the Coolscan, they are expensive and rarely in stock. I'd like a flatbed for MF, LF, prints, and gang scans of 35mm. I'd prefer to scan selected frames with the KM, I'd like the V750 to at least be able to scan a 35 mm negative crisply. I don't think that's asking too much of a flatbed. My Epson 4180 used to do that very well.🙂

/

Before you install the latest drivers be sure to completely uninstall all older drivers and programs!

 

[venchka]

Too picky?

Too picky?

Maybe I'm just not picky enough. Plus-X. Ancient Canon-Serenar 50/1.8. Canon IVS2b. 1969 PLus-X. Epson 1680. Epson Scan software. These scans prints very nicely at 5x7.

 

[maddoc]

Since you have used Vuescan, were you sure that you selected the correct mode for scanning ? Should be something like "transparency" or so. I just mention this because when selecting the wrong optics, the focus is ~ 3mm off.

Otherwise, Epson Scan und Vuescan don't give any differences regarding sharpness (I have used both with the V700). A Coolscan LS4000ED is slightly better but mostly makes grain more visible compared to the Epson.

I have posted somewhere a comparison between the V700 and LS4000ED for a scan of a 35mm frame (Acros100). You can see the results also at my pBase ("Inbox"), link in signature.

 

[Svitantti]

The settings or software shouldn't make scans soft (at least not much). With a flatbed, there is no AF that software controls, sharpness comes from the lense and position of film holder.

Only a very poor software or very bad settings (like some stupid algorithm for dust removal) would affect the sharpness.

So maybe you really have a faulty scanner or an issue with the film holders or something like that.

Here are samples of how my scans changed when I tested the position of the riser pads on Epson V700:
http://www.students.tut.fi/~hannine7/alin.jpg (no risers)
http://www.students.tut.fi/~hannine7/teipil.jpg (highest position + 2 layers of tape as extra... no critical change without the tapes though)

Another suggestion, if the softness is not too crazy, is to just use unsharp mask or such to sharpen the scans...

 

[maddoc]

The settings or software shouldn't make scans soft (at least not much). With a flatbed, there is no AF that software controls, sharpness comes from the lense and position of film holder.

If you have used an Epson V700 you should know that this scanner (and also the V750) has TWO different lenses with different focus points, which are switched by the software. The high-quality lens (6400dpi) is focused to the height of the film-holder, 3mm above the glass plate and the holder can be adjusted with the plastic feet. The second lower resolution lens is focused to the glass-plate. The correct lens has to be choosen by the Software, that is "film-holder" for usage of the high-res lens with film-holder and "filmarea-guide" which is for scanning with the low-res lens and film direct on the glass-plate (Epson Software). With Vuesscan one has to be shure to select "transparency" mode to scan with the correct lens for film holder.

 

[Svitantti]

I dont think you can scan film anyway with "reflective" because the back light will not turn on. Not sure though...

 

[venchka]

Gabor is correct.

 

[sper]

PMU: "That is normal. That's why I hate them.

Epson + 6x7 frame:"

Dude, I'm sorry, but you're doing something wrong...

All from the Epson V700 with no ps sharpening. First is Ilford Ortho+ in an Amidol water bath development (4x5), second is a Hasselblad Tri-X negative developed in Rodinal.
​

 

[mfogiel]

Go through all this:http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson V700/page_1.htm
there is also a forum with lots of tips there.

 

[vincentbenoit]

That is normal. That's why I hate them.

Same here. I've wasted a lot of time trying to get decently sharp scans from mine, to no avail. Even "wet" scanning using the fluid mount holder (which is supposed to take care of focusing issues) doesn't help. Some units might be better than others but mine is a real dud.

Vincent

 

[benlees]

RayPA, keep working at it although you may have a dud of a machine. I use the V700 and haven't had scans as bad as the one pmu is showing. I use EpsonScan software and don't have any problems. I figure try and get the best you can from the manufacturers' software first before using Vuescan. Also, keep in mind you are using a flatbed aimed at the amateur market.
They don't perform miracles- although Sper's scan of his 4x5 looks pretty amazing!

 

[maddoc]

Same frame, scanned with the Epson V700 (GT-X900 in Japan) and the Coolscan 4000ED, no sharpening. Acros100 developed in Rodinal 1:50. 90mm Summicron-M f/5.6 - f/8.

Epson: 4800dpi, single pass

Coolscan 4000ED: 4000dpi, single pass

Epson, 100% crop:

Coolscan 4000ED, 100% crop

There are easily visible differences when looking at 100% crops but mostly grain is better resolved by the Coolscan and the micro-contrast is higher. Anyhow, even for printing 35mm frames up to 12 x 17 inches (A3 size), the Epson V700 is good enough and for 120 the Epson is more than sufficient.

Cheers,

Gabor