Medium Format scanner - MF

[yarinkel]

Dear all,

I am thinking about trying Medium Format photography (Mamiya 6). But I would like to be able to scan the results.

I now own a Konica Minoltascan elite 5400II I am very happy with, but alas it does not scan anything else than 35mm.

I've been looking for a while at the discussions here regarding Medium Format scanners. It seems that the alternatives are now pretty scarse.
The Nikon 5000ed (edit:9000ed) seems to come up often, unfortunately there seem to be a film curvature problem which needs an expensive adapter to be solved.
Otherwise there are scanners like Imacon but as much as I would like to own one, a scanner that costs the price of a small car is not an option for me.
Other scanners I can find reviews on are often not sold anymore (Polaroid).

What do you use to scan your MF negatives? How happy are you with it?

Thanks a lot for your time,
Yann

 

[RicardoD]

I think others with more experience can chime in but many medium format aficionados scan with Epson flatbed scanners.

I myself purchased an Epson 4180 refurbished via epson.com. Only a few hundred I believe. I think its terrific and have printed as large as 16" x16" with plenty of resolution to spare.

Here is a link with some scanner info.

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

User shutterflower is a frequent contributor to these forums.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Yann it really depends on how much you want to spend and what you want from it?
I have the V750 for 120 and the Nikon 5000 for 35mm but even with adapters and tweaking i think the Nikon 9000 is a better bet in the long run than the Epsom flatbeds but you pay more money.....

lots of threads here on RFF and PNet if you do a search on this subject.

Dear all,

The Nikon 5000ed seems to come up often, unfortunately there seem to be a film curvature problem which needs an expensive adapter to be solved.

5000 ED 35mm film curve problems are eliminated with the Nikon F-3-H film strip holder cost £21.50 or there abouts. Nikon make a more expensive glass one for the 9000.

 

[anglophone1]

I've been looking at Minolta Dimage Mult iPro [only now available used] for exactly the same reason, does anyone have experience of these?
Clive

 

[Ronald M]

Get the new Epson V750. While not the ultimate, will be ok for 11x14 and certainly to put pics on the net which requires almost nothing special.

For the ultimate, a drum scanner is best and you don`t want that. For the price of a drum, you can get a Hassy Digi and skip the film.

 

[yarinkel]

Thanks to all for your comments.

Simon : I want to spend no more than say, 4000$. How does the V50 compare with the Nikon 5000? I know it's comparing apples with oranges but are the 120 scans significantly better than the 35mm ones? Otherwise the point is moot.
By good scans I mean shadows which hold information, correct colors, sharpness and not too much grain aliasing.

Ronald M : Agree with the drum scanner comment. My goal is not to put pictures on the net but to print (after some processing).

 

[Jamie123]

Why not go with the Nikon 9000 since you want to scan MF? It would also easily fit your budget.

 

[steve garza]

at 4,000 you're close to the price of an Imacon drum.....try photo village for a demo perhaps....

 

[Jamie123]

at 4,000 you're close to the price of an Imacon drum.....try photo village for a demo perhaps....

The Imacon is not a drum scanner.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Thanks to all for your comments.

Simon : I want to spend no more than say, 4000$. How does the V50 compare with the Nikon 5000? I know it's comparing apples with oranges but are the 120 scans significantly better than the 35mm ones? Otherwise the point is moot.
By good scans I mean shadows which hold information, correct colors, sharpness and not too much grain aliasing.

For 35mm i don't think the V750 to comes close to the 5000 for shadow detail but for 120 utlizing Doug's MF holder and Glass inserts and the right height adjustment i think i can make it work - that and the right amount of USM in CS2.

I've been scanning a lot of my 120 on an 949 Imacon in London when i'm back in the UK. You really do see a difference.

if you got 4k then i'd buy the 9000 and get Vuescan. I will when i have some more cash.

 

[Terao]

I'm puzzled, how does the 5000ED scan medium format? I thought it just did 35mm?

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I'm puzzled, how does the 5000ED scan medium format? I thought it just did 35mm?

it does only scan 35mm.

 

[yarinkel]

My bad, I meant 9000 when I wrote 5000.
So the 9000 with spearate glass film holder seems to be the way to go.