Medium Format scanner - MF

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yarinkel

yarinkel
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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
 
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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.
 
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.


yarinkel said:
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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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).
 
yarinkel said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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