New to 120 Film

DRabbit

DRabbit

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You guys have been so helpful to me in the past, so I thought I'd ask my question here.

I've been developing and scanning my own 35mm film now for two years (thanks to all of you!) and it's a blast. Love it.

I decided this year to play around with 120 film a bit. I got a brick sitting in the fridge just waiting to be used. I'm going to give my Yashica 635 a good cleaning and give it a go.

Problem is, I'm not sure what to do about scanning. I currently have a plustek scanner that handles my 35mm negatives very well, but the 120, obviously won't fit.

Are there affordable scanners out there for 120 film... something like the plustek that offers a good balance of resolution vs. value for money? I don't mind it it's slow or lacks some fancier features, as long as I can get decent resolution files.

Thanks in advance...
 
...not really a lot of affordable options for really good 120 scanners. You will likely have to go with a flatbed and that will be good for web, but questionable for print. I've seen examples of prints with a V750 and 120 film that were impressive, but it's no darkroom print, that's for sure. I have a Nikon 8000ED that I bought used for just over $1000 6 years ago and it's running strong and it's a little too much for me because I still use the darkroom and only use it for the web. You could sell the Plustek and get an epson v700 and it will do 35mm and 120 good for web. Minolta makes a Multi-scan that does 120 and 35mm, which is a cheaper option used than the Nikon 8000 or 9000.

If you want a good, cheap flatbed for 120, I can recommend the Canon 8800F as I have used it and it gives really good 120 scans for web.

I think a cheap 120 flatbed is good for web and send it out for a drum scan if there's a few negs you REALLY like and pay the $15-30 per scan rather than thousands up front for something you might not like.
 
I have been quite happy with my Epson V700 flatbed scanner for the last few years. The difficulty with 120 film is how to keep it flat and thus the whole frame in focus for the scanner. I tried to be patient and flatten the film under a big stack of heavy books overnight; I tried both the Epson film holder and BetterScanning holder (with plastic guides or glass). If I can get the film really flat, I get excellent results from this scanner and can see clearly defined film grain in the scan. But 35mm and 4x5 sheet film seem to keep flat much better than 120 roll film.

I normally scan at 2400 dpi for 120/220 roll and 4x5 sheet film, which seems plenty resolution for my purpose. The DMax might not be that great, since I have trouble scanning really dark Velvia 50.
 
As an affordable start, you might want to check out the Epson flatbed scanners. I use a 4990 (which was superseded by the V700) with very good results. If I'm printing something for a gallery showing, I send my transparencies out for a drum scan.
 
I do have an epson flatbed scanner already, but I think it's a cheaper model (v90 maybe)... in all reality, at this point I'll likely just need web sizes, but it would be nice to have the ability to get more out of the scans from home if possible.

I do accept if it isn't though...
 
I don't print from scans, so the V500 is ideal (and only like $60). When I did, I used the Nikon Coolscan 8000 and it was really nice. You can buy them used or refurbished.
 
My v500 is perfect for monitor/web use. If I should ever want a large print, I'll send it out. Don't sink too much $$$ into it. Until, that is, you get the bug ;p.
 
If u think u will ever do bigger than 120, the Epson 700 or 750 would be that way to go since it comes with 35mm, 120, and 4x5 negative holders.

Nikon 8000 and 9000 is going to give u better scan quality then the flatbed scanners, but their max is 120 film...

Good luck
Gary
 
Epson V700 will suffice with the right holders for an enlargement up to say 6x. An alternative would be to swap your current Plustek for the new one which is supposed to scan 120 film as well. Should you find a Nikon CS8000/9000 go for it, as it is a step above and has better handling of colour and Dmax too.
 
Depending on how much you see shooting 120, you may want to have it scanned at a lab. See if they can do an uncut roll if you dev yourself - if they dev, have them also do a low res scan.

Or shoot slide film and just appreciate those little gems as is.
 
Btw if u go for the Nikon 8000 or 9000, on Dante site read his comments on how to get the best results with the supplied Nikon 120 negative holder.

Gary
 
Thanks so much everyone... lots to look at from the info you've already given me!

mfogiel said:
Epson V700 will suffice with the right holders for an enlargement up to say 6x. An alternative would be to swap your current Plustek for the new one which is supposed to scan 120 film as well. Should you find a Nikon CS8000/9000 go for it, as it is a step above and has better handling of colour and Dmax too.
Click to expand...

I didn't even know they were making a new one - but a quick search reveals it may retail for about $1500-2000, which at this point would be way above budget. Though it does look nice :)
 
filmfan said:
I don't print from scans, so the V500 is ideal (and only like $60). When I did, I used the Nikon Coolscan 8000 and it was really nice. You can buy them used or refurbished.
Click to expand...

If I could find a V500 for $60 at the time, I would have bought it too!
 
With the V500 or V600 I get sharp prints up to 6x the linear dimension of the film. So, this is way better than "web" quality from 120 film.

And, I like my prints sharp enough that I can put my nose right up to the print.

They are very reasonable in price. True resolution seems to be 1350 ppi in one direction and almost 2000 ppi in the other direction. Don't believe the quoted "optical resolution." The V700 or V750 should be somewhat better.

The V500 and V600 are cheap. Keep you 35mm scanner and try one of these for 120.
 
Thanks again for all the info everyone. I'll take a look and research a little on all the suggestions you've sent, but I'll probably end up going the v500 or v600 route to start with.

Next step is to get off my butt and clean the 635!
 
Have fun with the 635. It was how I started in 120 back in college. Mine had the 35mm adapter but I never used it except once to c how it worked.

Gary
 
You might also consider having them scanned for you to save yourself the hassle and expense of buying a scanner (until you're sure you want to keep going with it). I use North Coast Photo for my 120 processing and their scans are excellent too.
 
I bought Canoscan 9000f about a year ago, and i like it very much. It is more than enough for my modest needs. You can have it well under $200. If you are interested, see if Berger Bros. in Amityville have it in stock, then when you go down there ask for Brett Evan, and he will do what he can for you.
 
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