Nikon 9000 & Epson V750M Pro- WetMounting

[RayPA]

OK. I really like my KM Scan Elite 5400 dedicated 35mm film scanner, and I keep my Epson 4180 around for MF scans (I haven't turned it on in probably 6 months). But, I keep looking at the Epson V750M Pro and the Nikon 9000 ED, because they offer wet mount capabilities.

Does anyone have either of these scanners AND do you wet mount your scans?


🙂

 

[einolu]

no personal experience but i have read this:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/mamiya7/discuss/72157600311787713/

also, this (sort of):

http://chromogenic.net/verba/060717


i dont even own a medium format camera, but would really like to play around with a mamiya 6 or 7 and would need a scanner for it too (though I might go for the 4990 which seems like an ok deal).

 

[RayPA]

Thanks for the link, Einars. I'm trying to get a sense of how well the wet mounting works. I'm sure the 9000 with wet mounting is awesome, but the cost of the Nikon + the third-party wet mount kit is almost 3x the cost of the Epson. I'd like to get another flat bed that I can do contact sheet type stuff, but if a good one is out there and it'll do wet mounting, that would be sweet too.

🙂

 

[Harry Lime]

9000ED wet mounting? Can you elaborate?

Thanks,

HL

 

[kaiyen]

The thing about wetmounting on either of them is that it takes a lot of effort, time, and expertise. It's almost as hard as running a drum scanner. The time involved needs to be considered. Just an fyi, though I'm sure you've considered that, Ray.

I am sorry I can't offer any help on wetmounting.

allan

 

[rodneyAB]

i have not done the wet mounting yet, but fully intend to...someday
here is link to a company that supplies wet mount kits, and has a video on wet mounting worth viewing.

http://store.aztek.com/servlet/StoreFront

 

[einolu]

The way I see it, wet mounting is only really useful if you have scratched negatives, besides that I don't see how a piece of film could get any flatter if it is already getting squished in between 2 pieces of glass (anti-newton ring glass of course 😉)

have you seen this?

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson V750/page_7.htm

 

[RayPA]

wet mounting is a technique borrowed from the graphics industry, where the primary type of scanner is a drum scanner. The negative or chrome is taped to an acrylic drum and a mounting solution is applied over it. A piece mylar type material is placed over the negative or chrome and squeegee'd or rolled flat and tight to the drum and taped. This is a valid, tried and proven technique that is working its way down to consumer/prosumer scanners. As Einars stated the technique can help eliminate scratches and dirt, but it also ensures a very flat placement, eliminates Newton rings, and provides sharper/superior scans. Mounting takes a little time, but after a while, like any technique, you can get quick at it. Besides, the idea would be to use the technique for final scans.

The Epson V750 was the first consumer-level flatbed scanner to include a wet-mount assembly. A company called Kami developed one for the Nikon 9000 ED, which is supposed to workgreat, improving the already fine 9000 scans. The Kami accessory costs about $500 - $600, though.


🙂

 

[tetrisattack]

I work with both scanners, but I only use the 750 for large format scans.

Here's what I recommend.

If you want to play with wet mounting because it's really interesting, high-end hands-on technology, you might want to pass this stuff up. In many cases, wet mounting only needs to happen because the originals are scratched or warped or otherwise damaged, or they're an unusual size like 5x7, or they're just too damn big to not sag in the middle, like 8x10. For rollfilm, this might be overkill.

On the other hand, if you're interested in wet-mounting because you need edge-to-edge sharpness and you're frustrated with the performance of the 9000's rollfilm carrier, try to track down the anti-newton glass carrier. Your scans will be sharp all the way across the frame, at the slight expense of overall resolution.

At 4000 dpi, a 6x7 scanned on the 9000 will produce enough resolution to make a 26 x 30 inch print at 360 DPI -- before interpolation. If you need to go much larger than that, you're probably printing for a show or something, and in that case, it might be more cost effective to pay to have it done.

Just some thoughts.

 

[v3cron]

i own the 9000, but have never wet-mounted. the glass holder does provide very good results. never had any rings.

 

[RayPA]

I work with both scanners, but I only use the 750 for large format scans.

Here's what I recommend.

If you want to play with wet mounting because it's really interesting, high-end hands-on technology, you might want to pass this stuff up. In many cases, wet mounting only needs to happen because the originals are scratched or warped or otherwise damaged, or they're an unusual size like 5x7, or they're just too damn big to not sag in the middle, like 8x10. For rollfilm, this might be overkill.

On the other hand, if you're interested in wet-mounting because you need edge-to-edge sharpness and you're frustrated with the performance of the 9000's rollfilm carrier, try to track down the anti-newton glass carrier. Your scans will be sharp all the way across the frame, at the slight expense of overall resolution.

At 4000 dpi, a 6x7 scanned on the 9000 will produce enough resolution to make a 26 x 30 inch print at 360 DPI -- before interpolation. If you need to go much larger than that, you're probably printing for a show or something, and in that case, it might be more cost effective to pay to have it done.

Just some thoughts.

Thanks, Connor. My interests are not really to play with wet mounting. I've been looking for ways to improve the scanning process. I don't have a 9000 or a V750. I have a KM San Elite, which doesn't have an AN glass carrier. I like it a lot , but I know the weak spot is the carrier, and its inability to really flatten the negative (even 35mm). From the research I've been doing it sounds like the best way to get the most out of the current level of consumer/prosumer scanners is to wet mount. I understand that it helps to eliminate scratches, but it is the edge-to-edge sharpness and overall higher quality scans that I'm after.


🙂

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[xvvvz]

To learn more about the fluid mounting tray for the 9000, do a Google for "image mechanics 9000". Muliple places sell these and you will be able to read some comments. I believe Image Mechanics is the actual maker for the holder Aztek sells.

Fluid mounting can show a noticable improvement with some films but not all films will show the dramatic improvement some fluid makers claim. I think it is another "tool" for the scanning tool kit but keep your expectations realistic. You may see dramatic improvement with one film and then can't tell any difference with others.

It seems that you may be mainly shooting 35 mm. If true, that would be added incentive to buy the Nikon 9000. It still has an edge over the 750 that would benefit the 35 mm.

I found that the prices for the kits really seemed pricey for what you received. After doing a little research, I was able to put together a kit on my own for about $60. Here is a webpage showing how I did it:

http://www.betterscanning.com/scanning/cheapfluidmounting.html

Doug