Looking to start developing and scanning my own film...scanner advice?

[Nowhereman]

Thanks, nfogiel.

Here is an article on digitalizing negatives using a camera versus scanning. It's undated but seems to have been written in 2014 or later:

https://luminous-landscape.com/articleImages/CameraScanning.pdf

One of the authors (Mark Segal) wrote Epson V850 that you posted. Looks like there are a good number of issues that need to be dealt with in digitalizing negatives with a camera, including how to invert B&W negatives to positives, how to deal with color negative film and how to deal with vibration. Another issue that I saw in an article on the BEOON is dust landing on the negative. Looks like digitalizing with a camera has a lot of issues that need to be dealt with that I had not realized, and therefore looks more complicated than I thought.

 

[charjohncarter]

Development is easy after you do a couple of rolls (if you follow the rules), but scanning will take much longer.

I might have been a little flip with this response; so here are a couple of tutorials on scanning negatives written by two of our RFF members:


http://www.coltonallen.com/getting-the-most-from-color-negative-film-with-your-epson-flatbed/

http://4nalog.blogspot.com/2015/09/working-with-b-linear-drum-scans.html

 

[Mjd-djm]

I wouldn't get too sucked in to spending more. I use an Epson v500 which I bought really cheap with the standard film holders and software. The scans are more than good enough for my purposes: web and small prints. You can see some recent pics on my Flickr: www.flickr.com/mjdmjd

 

[froyd]

See if one of the many Epson flatbed owners can send you a sample scan. I received one a while back when I was researching this topic, and it help me realize that a lot of the trashing of flatbeds for 35mm negs that can be read online was irrelevant to my needs. The file I received printed beautifully at 8x10. I wish I had received an un-edited scan, just to see how much sharpening was need to get the image ready for print, but it was a good learning lesson anyway.

...Having said that, I ended up with a Coolscan because I found a great deal locally, but I'm looking at flatbeds again because I'm tired of sending out my MF stuff to labs.

Oh, one important thing I rarely see mentioned in these scanner conversations: even scanners technically inferior to Frontier and Noritsu can give you better scan than the labs (especially lower end ones), because operator input is a big part of the process. Personally, I became fed up with over-sharpened high-contrast scans, even when I asked for "flat" processing. I love having control of my scanning.

 

[tvdpid]

Don't scan --> Shoot the negatives with a DSLR. Better quality (in comp. with my V500), much faster.

 

[edge100]

Don't scan --> Shoot the negatives with a DSLR. Better quality (in comp. with my V500), much faster.

Yup. This. Not just better than a V500; better than virtually anything short of a $10k Imacon.

 

[guardado1213]

Sorry to restart an old thread but I ended up getting a refurbished Epson V600 from my local camera store for about $130 and I already run a few rolls through it. So far my scans are turning out good for my needs but I am noticing that my black and white negatives turn out a little softer than what i expected. I've done some research online and some people point to the fact that scanner may not be focused properly or the film may be to close to the glass...I'm not entirely sure what to believe becasue I'm not very familiar with scanning yet but i would love to hear some input or tips anybody here has.

 

[rayfoxlee]

After fruitless calls to Epson UK to try to establish some facts about inserts in the V800 MF film holders, I took a trip to a large dealer a few miles away to see for myself. The V800 MF film holder is really flimsy and has a slightly opaque plastic 'insert' where you might expect or hope to see ANR glass - this insert is apparently to keep the film flat. When it was unpacked from the box, the salesman opened the holder to reveal the plastic insert covered in dust and with some polystyrene beads stuck due to static. This is a recipe for frustration for anyone attempting to get clean scans.

The holder need binning and replacing with BetterScanning's offering. Quite how Epson can justify marketing such a shoddy, but crucial, part of the scanner really defies logic. Interesting to see Amazon Uk selling the V800 for £408 now - a shortage of takers perhaps?

 

[guardado1213]

After fruitless calls to Epson UK to try to establish some facts about inserts in the V800 MF film holders, I took a trip to a large dealer a few miles away to see for myself. The V800 MF film holder is really flimsy and has a slightly opaque plastic 'insert' where you might expect or hope to see ANR glass - this insert is apparently to keep the film flat. When it was unpacked from the box, the salesman opened the holder to reveal the plastic insert covered in dust and with some polystyrene beads stuck due to static. This is a recipe for frustration for anyone attempting to get clean scans.

The holder need binning and replacing with BetterScanning's offering. Quite how Epson can justify marketing such a shoddy, but crucial, part of the scanner really defies logic. Interesting to see Amazon Uk selling the V800 for £408 now - a shortage of takers perhaps?

Yes I'll have look into betterScanning's offerings. Too bad Epson doesn't make metal or more sturdy holders....

 

[marnuc]

I you are shooting only 35mm, the best scanner imho is the Pakon-135 plus or non plus version. It is super fast, relatively cheap and if you are a little tech savvy, installing and learning the software is easy. The only bad thing is that only works with windows xp, but there is a really helpful Facebook group about the scanner.
Sorry if someone already mentioned this scanner, just helping with your decision 🙂

 

[Art Vandalay]

I you are shooting only 35mm, the best scanner imho is the Pakon-135 plus or non plus version. It is super fast, relatively cheap and if you are a little tech savvy, installing and learning the software is easy. The only bad thing is that only works with windows xp, but there is a really helpful Facebook group about the scanner.
Sorry if someone already mentioned this scanner, just helping with your decision 🙂

Agreed. I have a 135+ that makes film fun again. It does a roll in about 3 minutes and anything you want higher res you can do on the Epson. Granted, they're only 6 meg scans but for most purposes that's fine. However, the real benefit to the Pakon is how it deals with color neg film. It simply has no peer for out of scanner color.