Recommendations for cheap scanner for making "digital contact sheets"

[filmtime]

I need a scanner for making "digital contact sheets" of 35mm and 120 rolls.

The following features are required:

- As affordable as possible. I would like to spend under or around $100 (if this is unrealistic, please list your recommended hardware anyways).

- Print "digital contact sheet" on regular paper for archiving with the negatives (all scans from a roll on letter size paper, maybe half the roll on each side, so for example six 6x6 shots per side)

- Be able to look at the scan on the computer to check the photo's focus (basically, to determine which negatives are worth paying for to be scanned professionally)

Bonus features:

- Actually produce reasonably nice scans, better than needed for what I listed above (nice!)

- Scan many negatives at once (for my sanity!)

- Speed (faster is better, obviously!)

Any recommendations or insight here is/are very welcome. I'm a scanning newbie. I just really need a way to see the negatives I'm producing (and make my archive more accessible) without breaking the bank right now.

Thank you!

 

[doolittle]

Do you have any resources you could make do with? For instance a tripod, a dslr and a macro lens or a point and shoot with macro mode, even a recent iPhone. You could make a homemade light box or a even a window.
Alternatively an older flat bed negative scanner. Not sure what goes for $100 these days,

 

[filmtime]

Do you have any resources you could make do with? For instance a tripod, a dslr and a macro lens or a point and shoot with macro mode, even a recent iPhone. You could make a homemade light box or a even a window.
Alternatively an older flat bed negative scanner. Not sure what goes for $100 these days,

I do have a DSLR and some M42 lenses and macro rings. That's a cool idea. So I could just make or find a light box, and make photos of the negatives? Intriguing.

 

[Godfrey]

I do have a DSLR and some M42 lenses and macro rings. That's a cool idea. So I could just make or find a light box, and make photos of the negatives? Intriguing.

It's one way to do it. I scan all my negs, import into Lightroom, and output as a printable 'contact sheet' when desired. For example:

​

As to what scanner to use, capture with a digital camera/macro-copy setup is one mechanism, but setup is critical for good results and consistency is difficult. I more usually use Nikon film scanner (Coolscan V ED or Super Coolscan 9000).

You can find some decent scanners for prices in the $300 range, but I haven't followed what's available new for a while.

G

 

[De_Corday]

I've been using my girlfriend's LX5 and a backlight, but my backlight isn't consistent enough. Consistency really is the hard part to nail with a camera-based method.

 

[filmtime]

So I've done some more research into using your DSLR as a "scanner". It's a great idea, and I'm going to pursue it.

But in terms of flatbed scanners, does anyone have any recommendations or experience?

I've done some more research in this area too. It looks like the Epson 4490 or 4990 might fit the bill. There are also the Canon scanners, 8800f and 9000f etc. but they seem to go for over $200 regularly.

I'm really impressed with the results from the Minolta 5400 for the price. I wish it could do medium format too.

 

[2WK]

Epson v100 photo is like less than $100. The scans are not so much worse than a v500.

 

[filmtime]

Epson v100 photo is like less than $100. The scans are not so much worse than a v500.

Nice, that is a great option I was not aware of, thank you.

Do you know if it's possible to scan negatives on one of those by putting the negatives right onto the glass surface, and putting a piece of special glass (I've seen mentioned around here) on top of them?

 

[VertovSvilova]

Nice, that is a great option I was not aware of, thank you.

Do you know if it's possible to scan negatives on one of those by putting the negatives right onto the glass surface, and putting a piece of special glass (I've seen mentioned around here) on top of them?

The V100 was discontinued a long time ago. The current model is the V370 and it's 130 USD. It has a transparency unit and you can scan directly off the platen. Very simple and very effective for contact sheets.

 

[2WK]

Oh, I'm sorry it doesn't do 120. I missed that part. 35mm is the widest of the top glass section. Sorry to get your hopes up.

 

[VertovSvilova]

Yeah, the V370 doesn't do larger than 35mm either. The transparency window is too narrow. I didn't realize the OP wanted to do 120, too.

If you really just want a digital record to keep of your film, you could use an iPad and iPhone (or tablet and smartphone.) It's the cheapest way assuming you already have them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUO4Wida_wY You can use any film size that fits on the screen.

And you don't need any specific photo app, just something that inverts negatives such as Photoshop Express, etc..

 

[filmtime]

Are there any flatbed scanners that let you scan 24 or (even better) 36 negatives (35mm) at a time?

 

[2WK]

The V700-750 can do 24 at a time. But it is not under $100.

 

[filmtime]

The V700-750 can do 24 at a time. But it is not under $100.

That's good to know, thank you. If it wasn't as expensive as it is, I would definitely consider it.

I just can't justify it because I really just want something to make half decent scans to print contact sheets with. For anything that will be exhibited or printed in a book etc. I will have it professionally scanned.

 

[2WK]

Well, check out the used market. I got a like new V-750 pro off craigslist for $400. 35mm is decent, you could definitely use shots for print in a book. For 120 it is pretty good (for me). I have made some very large prints from it. To make a good scan, it does take some technique though.

 

[Bob Michaels]

May I suggest passing on the "digital contact sheets" totally and simply viewing the actual negs on a light table using a loupe? That has worked very well for me for about 15 years. No one has ever had a problem editing from negs unless they tried it with the preconceived notion that they could not do it. You see all the detail, everything in the subject, and all the tonality because you are looking at the original, not a multiple generation digital copy. I tried scanning sheets of negs using a very good flatbed scanner and printing at high resolution. There was so much detail lost that they were basically worthless. So I went to editing the actual negs and making notes on the plastic pages that hold the negs about 15 years ago. I would not consider changing now.

Contact sheets worked well with they were high rez contact prints made in the wet darkroom. I relies on them for a long long time. But trying to digitally make them just does not work.

 

[2WK]

This is a great deal on a v550.
http://www.amazon.com/Epson-V550-Perfection-Photo-Scanner/dp/B00E1O74SW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_4

It's a bit out of your price range, but it does medium format. As well as 12 frames of 35mm at a time.

 

[k__43]

get a used canon 8800f
quality is enough for contact sheets and small prints. Don't expect miracles

the DSLR method is really annoying when you shoot more than a film per week in average (including trips/vacations). You can actually get the most detail this way by stitching multiple larger than life macros to one pic.

 

[cabbiinc]

I've used an HP Scanjet G4050 to make contact sheets.
Canon Elan IIe at a wedding.

scan0001 Contact Sheet by cabbiinc, on Flickr

However that's about all it's good for in my opinion. The shadow noise, low d-max, and lack of focus make it difficult to get anything fantastic out of. Still if you're planning on sending anything worth scanning out then this may work. Basically any scanner that can scan 8x10 transparencies are what you're looking for if you just want to create quick contact sheets.

More from a half-frame camera

Contact sheet by cabbiinc, on Flickr

What the slide adapter looks like

Image7 by cabbiinc, on Flickr