Plustek 8200i vs Epson v800

[bert26]

I've been using a Plustek 8200i for about a year or so, and while the results are good enough, the scanning process is a nightmare. I cannot stand sitting at my desk scanning one frame at a time. I just don't have the time for it. I bought a light box and a loupe to preview the negs in the hopes that it would make it easier to select which frames to scan, but that hasn't been working out too well either. With that said, I am thinking about selling my scanner to buy a v800. I just love the idea of scanning 18 frames at a time. Am I going to get better results with the Plustek than with the v800? What if I use betterscanning holders? I use Vuescan/Lightroom for all my scanning/post, how does Vuescan work with the v800? Any bugs or anything? I know there was a problem with Epson scanners for a while where the user had to move the cursor to advance frames, which obviously defeats the purpose in my case. Also, I only shoot 35mm and have no plans to change that any time soon.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Am I going to get better results with the Plustek than with the v800?

Yes, but it may not matter if you only post to the web or make small prints. I was not happy with the quality of scans from a V700, which has the same resolution as the V800, for making 6x9 prints, and bought a Pacific Image film scanner, similar to the Plustek, from which I got much more detailed scans (4300 vs. 2300).

 

[mod2001]

Am I going to get better results with the Plustek than with the v800?

Slightly, but also depending on the film and the look you're after. I use my Plustek normally for films like FP4 or Ektar and only if I want to print them bigger than A4, from 400 ISO upwards, at least in my eyes, scans look better with the Epson because they show less grain than the Plustek (different light source), of course to a certain extent less sharpness too, so a little bit more work in post with advanced sharpening. Biggest advantage is of course the possibility to scan 24(18 with the V800 holder) frames at once without any manual intervention.

Important to mention, the Epson needs a perfekt setup of the height for the film holders, I use glued small paper cuts under the holder after a day long testing to find the correct height for best sharpness. In short, its possible to get decent 2400dpi scans with the Epson.

Jürgen

 

[incommensurable]

hi all, i'm pretty curious about the OP's question as well!

a slight variant - does grain appear differently between the plustek and the epson? wonder which is more accurately portraying how grain is like on film (or how it would look like if printed in a darkroom).

 

[ptpdprinter]

The V800 can't resolve grain so you don't see it.

 

[f16sunshine]

The V800 can't resolve grain so you don't see it.

This pretty much says it all about the epsons (v700,800 etc).
The scans look mushy as the scanner can only dig so deep.

OP, I would ot sell your other scanner until you try the Epson.
It’s fine to preview a batch. Once you have chosen keepers , you may wish to scan single frames with your dedicated film scanner.

 

[PKR]

This pretty much says it all about the epsons (v700,800 etc).
The scans look mushy as the scanner can only dig so deep.

OP, I would ot sell your other scanner until you try the Epson.
It’s fine to preview a batch. Once you have chosen keepers , you may wish to scan single frames with your dedicated film scanner.

My printer has done wet mount scans on his Epson V850 that are ok, printed 16x20 or smaller. Creo wet are superior but quite costly.

I don't know anything about the v700 of v800. Is the v850 that much better sans wet mount?

I don't think the OP would be interested as, wet mounting is more time consuming than what he's doing.

 

[cz23]

OP, are you making digital contact sheets? That could help image selection quite a bit. I think you'll see that on any given roll, there are only a few negatives worth scanning. While my 8200 is scanning, I'm reviewing the contact sheet or editing another image. Make good use of that time and it won't feel like waiting.

John

 

[ptpdprinter]

My printer has done wet mount scans on his Epson V850 that are ok, printed 16x20 or smaller. Creo wet are superior but quite costly.

You can wet mount them, but the resolution of the scanner is still 2300, insufficient to resolve the grain. Flatbed scanners for 35mm just don't cut it for anything other than the web or small prints.

 

[mod2001]

The V800 can't resolve grain so you don't see it.

Have to disagrree 🙂 I print from time time some photos also analog, and the grain of the wet print is much closer to the Epson scans/prints than with the Plustek which somehow amplifies the grain.

To the OP, make youself a picture, the Epson flatbeds are always discussed controversly when it comes to 35mm scans, some like them, others not, mostly because they never set it up correctly, which is crucial with the Epsons. Out of the box the results are kind of mushy as mentioned before. Anyhow, 2300-2400 dpi is the limit what ever you do, fine for me until A4 (mostly Tri-X), but this depends then also on the content and taste.

Yogi

 

[flagellum]

Would not recommend getting rid of the Plustek, there'll be a noticeable decrease in quality going to a flatbed. I can tell the difference even on web images, the Plusteks give a much better rendition. Something like the 8200i is also great for prints, I recently made 11x17's with my 8100 and they look pretty excellent.

Though I haven't extensively used a flatbed as part of my workflow, I'd imagine the disadvantage in actual scanning time on the Plustek would be made up for by the fact that the Epson scans would probably need more work to get them into good shape (especially with the 8200i's dust/scratch detection).

 

[incommensurable]

Have to disagrree 🙂 I print from time time some photos also analog, and the grain of the wet print is much closer to the Epson scans/prints than with the Plustek which somehow amplifies the grain.

To the OP, make youself a picture, the Epson flatbeds are always discussed controversly when it comes to 35mm scans, some like them, others not, mostly because they never set it up correctly, which is crucial with the Epsons. Out of the box the results are kind of mushy as mentioned before. Anyhow, 2300-2400 dpi is the limit what ever you do, fine for me until A4 (mostly Tri-X), but this depends then also on the content and taste.

Yogi

i have found my plustek to produce quite nice grain! havent had the chance to compare with the epson though. i dont have an epson.

i wonder though - whether the grain produced by the plustek or epson, how close does the grain structure/size/shape follow what you would see in a darkroom print? or does the digital sensor in the plustek or epson make that all moot. i.e. basically its digital grain?

 

[bert26]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Looks like I'll keep the Plustek and save my money.