Medium Format and scanners

[Ash]

Well I stupidly bought my 16 rolls of b&w medium format film before checking the scanner can handle such things!

I've resorted to a clip frame (backing cut into a U shape, the neg placed in the space in the middle, and the glass on top to flatten) instead of the usual neg holder for the all-in-one scanner/printer at home.


How many of you scan medium format negs? And what is the cheapest neg scanner that can handle mf?


Thanks!

 

[Iyidin_Kyeimo]

My Epson 4490 manages fairly well, and was cheap!

(a few examples)

 

[Ash]

Ah brilliant! And it's mac compatible!!!

 

[JimG]

My Epson 2450 Photo flatbed does 35mm, 6x6, 4x5, and 2x3. Their pretty cheap now, since I'm sure they don't make them anymore.

I use it with a Mac and PS7.

 

[Iyidin_Kyeimo]

Should just add, if you're willing to pay a bit more, the 4990 might be worth it... Slightly better Dmax and bigger lightbox:

Epson 4490 specs

Epson 4990 specs

 

[Gid]

My epson 4990 does just fine for 35mm, MF and LF to 10 x 8. You might be able to pick one up at a reasonable price as the V700 seems to be flavour of the month now.

 

[morgan]

Using epson as well, 3170 I think. Works fine for my needs.

 

[MelanieC]

I have an Epson 2480 "Photo" that cost about $80 new. Avoid this one as it does NOT do medium format. It comes with a holder that will do 35mm and slides but not 120/220. I have sometimes scanned 6x6 using the slide portion of the holder to sort of mask the negative and that works as long as I have room to fiddle with the edges, but I normally fill the frame when I shoot 120. The light bar in the lid is not wide enough to do an entire frame even if you try to mock something else up as a negative holder.

Other than that, the scanner does a surprisingly good job. Here's a shot from my Rollei that I just scanned using the 2480 that worked because I had some wiggle room at the edges:

However, I'll be reading this thread as I'm thinking of getting a new scanner myself.

 

[sf]

I'd have to say that I am very impressed with the performance of the Epson V700 on B&W film. It really actually beats the old KM Multi Pro on normal negs.

http://www.shutterflower.com/V700.htm

on E6, the story is different. But I don't shoot E6 anymore.

of course, this is only my opinion. In fact, the Monilta is a far more powerful scanner.

 

[DougK]

I'm using a refurbished Epson 4870 I bought from the Epson online store on my Mac Mini and I love it for medium format film. The negative holder is less than optimal for 6x6 but there's a third-party holder available which would resolve that little problem; 645 is no issue at all. My only issue with this scanner is the 4x5 film holder is tempting me to go get a large-format camera so I can scan in a really big negative...