Multifunction scanners.

[POSTI-Tuomo]

So I've been looking for a way to transform my negatives into digital form and printing the occasional photo. I did some research on the matter and ended up with two potential devices. These would be Canon Pixma MP810 and Epson Stylus Photo RX640. Are these two scanners in the same league? Have you had any experience with these two? Also, which has better software and usability? And image quality, how true is the end result to original negs?

300 euro price range seems to offer the best value for money. Though I won't mind dishing out an extra 100 euros for a significantly better product...

 

[Pherdinand]

If you need a scanner to scan only 35mm film (neg or slide or bw), i would advise you to get a film scanner. For that price you can get a good one; even second-hand might be a good idea.
If you need to scan reflective stuff too, or larger film, then a flatbed scanner w transparency adapter would do the job; plenty of choices for 300-400 euro (although the epson ones are most popular i think).

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

True dat, Pherdinand, I won't have really much use for a printer anyway, too expensive to buy inks and papers. I'm more into scanning negs and slides and the occasional photo as well. I usually order my digicamera images through the net, to cut the expenses. No idea to have a roll developed & printed for just a few images that really are worth the money.

Do they make flatbed scanners with neg/slide frames for 35mm that are in my price range? Can you point me to specific, proven models that do the job with precision and fidelity? And yet again, the software needs to be good, too.

 

[Pherdinand]

I would advise to buy not flatbed but a film scanner, a 35mm film scanner.
I don't know what is the current offer in your price range but canon, nikon scanners should do fine. I knew the minolta dimage scan dual IV and its predecesors were good but they are not produced anymore. But you could look for a second-hand one.
If you really want a flatbed, maybe the epson perfection 4490 or 4990 fits your budget.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

I read a couple of reviews, namely about Epson Perfection 4990 Photo and Canon CanoScan 9950F as well. Both seemed very competetive in both film and photo scanning. Would you please elaborate your opinion a bit concerning the choice of dedicated film scanner? Can't really see how you can go wrong with either of those scanners, if you are going to scan film and photos... I understand it's a trade-off when comparing purely the image quality between dedicated and more general-type flatbeds but... I really need both options (going to digitalise old photos taken by my grandfather and experiment on them a bit).

Reviews say, that Canon 9950F does a bit better job at scanning film and it's in my price range at 440 euros (albeit barely).

On the other hand, scratch removal tools of Epson's are better... A tough decision really!

 

[Pherdinand]

Ah, if you want to scan paper photos as well, you need a flatbed. Forget about my advice on the film scanner.
The 499 and most better flatbeds have a transparency unit that allow for film scanning too. The image quality is quite good, but you will need some sharpening of the scans in Photoshop or similar software.

Honestly, i never used the scratch removal tool of my epson v700. I tried it out, it works okay (not perfect though, and does not work with trad. black and white film) but it takes a HUGE amount of scanning time if it is switched on. I prefer to keep my film clean as much as possible, and clean up the rest in photoshop, by hand.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

That was my reasoning exactly. Canon's qualities really tip the scales to its favor. Optical performance is what matters, ultimately. Everything concerning retouching can be done afterwards, with 3rd party software. In conclusion, I reckon Canon 9950F offers the best performance with a good price while not being in the budget-class. Gotta start saving money and have my photos developed at a lab in the meantime.

 

[TimBonzi]

I have the Canon 9950F and it does beautiful scans of 35mm color negatives, color slides, and B&W negatives. I highly recommend this scanner. To keep from filling up my hard drive I do a low resolution scan of most of the negatives then a high resolution scan of the few I like.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Thanks for recommending the Canon, TimBonzi. I am really starting to like this model. Would you care to share a sample with us, so that we can see with our own eyes. I personally would appreciate, if you put out samples of all types of scans: color neg, B&W neg, slide and photo.

Cheers.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Shameless bumping, but I need some first-hand samples here. 🙁

 

[Pherdinand]

In the meantime, you can check out my images in the gallery scanned with the epson v700 - the folder Model No Model contains Fuji NPH negative and Kodak e100SW slide scans, 35mm. ANd there are some more; black and whites too; everything I uploaded since last october.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Thanks, will do that. Although the Espon is over my budget, so it won't be an option for me. 🙂

 

[Keith]

All the images in my gallery are done with a Canon MP 800 ..... have a look.

It's a multi function and surprised me!

 

[maitrestanley]

I've been looking primarily at the Epson 4990 and Canon 9950 and reviews show that the 9950 comes out on top but only by a little bit...

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

All the images in my gallery are done with a Canon MP 800 ..... have a look.

It's a multi function and surprised me!

Ooo... nice. Will have to consider.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

I've been looking primarily at the Epson 4990 and Canon 9950 and reviews show that the 9950 comes out on top but only by a little bit...

Hey, drop a line here if you happen to buy either before I do...