How do you scan your 35mm B&W film?

How do you scan your 35mm B&W film?

  • I use a flatbed scanner - i.e. Epson V750 photo scanner

    Votes: 313 35.6%

  • I use a dedicated 35mm scanner - i.e. a Nikon Coolscan V

    Votes: 360 41.0%

  • I use a dedicated multi-format film scanner - i.e. a Nikon Coolscan 9000

    Votes: 86 9.8%

  • I use a professional scanner - i.e. drum scanner

    Votes: 27 3.1%

  • I send mine away to be scanned

    Votes: 62 7.1%

  • I don't care - I wet print!

    Votes: 31 3.5%
  • Total voters
    879
hap said:
Arghhh.....Nikon ES-1 not compatible with my 105 Macro D FX according to Nikon website.
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The ES-1 is designed for copying slides at about 1:1 with a 55 mm lens. It is possibly not a long enough tube to achieve the right magnification for slide copying with a 105mm lens: it would hold the slide too close to the lens.

(A similar problem exists for the Leica BEOON copy stand: it is designed for a 50mm lens and gives the range from 1:1 to 1:3 magnifications with that focal length. It can't be used very successfully with lenses shorter than about 45mm or longer than about 60mm.)

G
 
I second the digicam DIY scanning method. Vastly superior to any flatbed. I will never go back.

I was lucky enough to have one of those old, tiny, no-name enlargers for 35mm film. Remove the light source, replace with digital camera (in my case it's an EOS-M), mount an enlarging lens, focus, shoot. Of course there's a bit of tweaking involved to make the camera sit solidly, and the biggest problem for me has been finding an even light source (I use my laptop screen on a white page, with negative elevated about an inch, to avoid pixels showing through). But I've gotten to where I can scan a roll of 36 exposures in about 15 min.

Post-processing takes only a tiny bit longer than it did with a flatbed. I use an 80mm enlarging lens that is fine for both 35mm and 6x6 depending on the elevation of the enlarger.

Crucifix by Timoleon Wilkins, on Flickr
 
I scan with a Plustek OpticFilm 120. The results with 35mm are amazing, far beyond what any flatbed scanner can even dream of doing.
 
When I began my foray into digital printing, I built a computer and installed a half-height Nikon Coolscan II. That lasted for a while until the digital printing industry started to mature. I then upgraded computers, software, and eventually picked up a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 ED that I still use today.
 
Currently using Plustek 8200 with Silverfast Ai. Does a good job but slow when trying to scan a complete roll of film.
I've been considering the Epson V800 or V850, apparently the same hardware apart from improved lens coatings and duplicate set of carriers for the V850. Trying to weigh up if the 'extras' are worth the price difference.
Also I'd like the potential for scanning the complete negative including the sprocket holes, but don't know if it could be achieved apart from maybe sanwitching the negatives between two sheets of glass.
 
I shoot my film, then mail off to Simple Labs for processing/scanning and download the zip file when the scans to DNG are ready, which is about a week later. Between the time I shot the film and get the scans back, I enjoy using my M246 and MP240.
 
I just recently reentered the world of (film) photography after more than a decade away. For now I'm taking my film to a local lab for processing. After reading up on current scanners (as of Fall 2018) it sounded like either the Epson V550 or V600 would be perfect for sharing my images with others and posting online. I found the V550 on sale and it does a decent enough job for my current needs. If I end up sticking with photography this time around then eventually I plan to start developing my own film. At some point later I'd likely set up my own darkroom. If I end up taking things that far then I could see a better scanner in my future. For now the Epson works just fine.
 
Options:
- Flatbed V500 will make a nice 6x9 inch print or file for screens from 35mm. See this thread. V750 will be a little better resolution.
- Digital camera with a macro lens will give far higher resolution, but you'll have to invert and adjust tonality. To work in Lightroom, shoot RAW and check out Negative Lab Pro
- Dedicated 35mm scanner. NikonCoolscan no longer supported but still around and still good. I use VueScan software.
- Your phone. Seriously, with the right macro lens (Zeiss Exolens or Moment), and a current phone, get a 12MPx image. Invert as above or try FilmLab on the phone. Expect to do some adjustments.

Hope this helps.
 
I scan the page of negatives or the contact sheet with a loupe or my eyes for the right image to print and then put it into the enlarger and make a print. Pretty simple, always a good result.
 
Use my xt2 and a m42 fujinon macro lens

It used to take me 30 minutes for a roll of film. Now it takes me 30 minutes for two rolls.

It’s also much better quality files that I can work with after.

Even if you have to crop, you get more than enough detail. I crop most of my images and still get 18mb.
 
The Plustek are fantastic scanners for 35mm negatives. For medium format, I am using an Epson V600.

I was just about to order an Epson V800 that allows me to scan large format negatives, but noticed that it is sold out everywhere. Is there a new version coming?
 
Love my Minolta Scan Dual IV and my Plustek 7500i for 35mm scans.

Properly used, the results from a dedicated film scanner will produce significantly better results than most of the DSLR scans I see posted online. Uneven focusing, uneven background lighting, Bayer-sensor-derived fuzziness. I've seen it all.

You *can* get decent result with DSLR scanning, but you don't *need* to purchase an expensive and fiddly DSLR scanning setup to get exceptional 35mm scans IME.
 
Huss said:
I don't know why anyone would buy a scanner if they have a decent digi cam. I'm getting better results using my D750 + macro lens than from a pro lab using Noritsu or Frontier .
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I use my opticfilm 8200 and v850 with superb success. The former is for 35mm and the latter for 2 1/4 and 4x5.
 
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