FS4000US and something, or V700?

thegman

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Hello all,
I just got a Mamiya 7, very happy with it and the results. I now need of course to scan MF film. I currently have a Canoscan FS4000US for my 35mm scanning, and I'm pleased with the results.

I was thinking of selling it to get an Epson V700. Maybe for 35mm it will not be as good as the Canoscan though, and I wonder if I should keep the Canon and get a less expensive flatbed just for medium format?

If were to get something other than a V700 for medium format, what's worth considering? I'd like something around 4000dpi, as my FS4000US does that, and I'm happy with the prints I get from those scans.

Cheers

Garry
 
Hello all,
I just got a Mamiya 7, very happy with it and the results. I now need of course to scan MF film. I currently have a Canoscan FS4000US for my 35mm scanning, and I'm pleased with the results.

I was thinking of selling it to get an Epson V700. Maybe for 35mm it will not be as good as the Canoscan though, and I wonder if I should keep the Canon and get a less expensive flatbed just for medium format?

If were to get something other than a V700 for medium format, what's worth considering? I'd like something around 4000dpi, as my FS4000US does that, and I'm happy with the prints I get from those scans.

Cheers

Garry

Being used to the results from your FS4000 I think you'll be very unhappy with the 35mm scans from the V700 so you're best bet would be get something like a V500 or V600. Well actually your best bet would be to get a Nikon Coolscan 9000 but that's rather costly.
Note: you're not going to find a flatbed scanner that gives decent results at 4000 DPI with MF film, as despite what the manufactures say most flatbed scanners are only good for scans upto 2000-2400DPI. Due to the large size of a 6x7 negative or slide compared to 35mm I don't see this as an issue unless that is you're looking to do prints larger then say 16x20. If you are looking make larger prints well then you're back to the Coolscan 9000.
 
I would suggest hanging on to your good and working scanner. There is no currently made scanner to equal it for 35mm and a replacement might be difficult should you change your mind. A decent quality flatbed for medium format is, on the other hand, reasonably affordable.
 
You really have only two logical moves to make: either you sell the Mamiya and stick to 35mm, or you get a dedicated scanner that can cover 6x9 cm, which in practice means Nikon CS 9000. It just went out of production, so hurry up to grab one. V700 will do for B&W up to 6x enlargement, if you are fine with that, then ok, but then the result will not be much different than from a well scanned 35mm.
 
I think the big message here is to stick with the Canon for 35mm, and plump for the V700 for MF, and just eat the cost with an uneasy look on my face.

6x enlargement I think should do me, a Nikon 9000 is out of the question for me, just too much money.

Selling the Mamiya is out of the question too, I've shot 4 rolls and the results are visibly better than 35mm even shrunk down on my computer screen.

Maybe I'll wait for Photokina, see what happens there, maybe a v900 will appear and push down prices, maybe another scanner make will surprise us all, who knows.
 
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