scanner for MF

[Cron]

Hi!

I'm looking for a scanner which brings my MF-film to my PC. I know about the Nikon 9000, but this is definitely not my level of price.

So I think about a flatbed type with reasonable price and quality.
Scan times should not be too long. ICE to have would be nice.

As I have a Konica Minolta 5400 for 24x36, there is no need for this kind of format.

Thanks in advance for your tips

 

[mfogiel]

I think Epson V700 is the scanner which is just sufficient in terms of output not to make you dump shooting MF altogether, although it will do no full justice to your shots... Remember to order MF film holders with lots of T-locks and a couple of AN glass inserts from Doug Fisher (www.betterscanning.com), as the epson holders don't keep the film flat. If you get the Vuescan software, you can batch scan up to 6 6x6 frames in one go, so you set it all up, press the button and go after other business in the meantime, but the scan times are not short at all. Be careful when applying ICE with colour films at high resolution - when I tried this my scanning time reached 1,5 hours per frame...

 

[Pherdinand]

i use v700. It is even reasonable for 35mm, since i don't print posters or such. And i also like to use fast film so i always am limited by the film sharpness and grain, not by scanner.
For 6x6 frames it is excellent. The only issue is with film flatness in the original holders, but even that is manageable.
I have a few 40x40 cm prints on my wall that i scanned on the v700 and i could not wish for more details, tones or anything in those prints.

 

[Pherdinand]

Btw i prefer to use epson scan software, does a good job and has fast and good batch scan option...except for difficult frames e.g. contrasty slides.

 

[lZr]

I use Epson 4990. Good for any film/type size. Check your prefered dynamic range. For me 3.2 is good enough. My software is Twain driver downloaded from Epson UK over Photoshop

 

[RObert Budding]

It depends on your output needs. Flatbeds are fine for the web or for smaller enlargements. But I print, sometimes to 20x24 (from MF and LF).

I'd buy a used Nikon Coolscan 8000 in preference to a flat bed. That will extract a lot more detail than a consumer flat bed scanner.

 

[niblue]

I'm also an Epson 4490 user and I've been quite impressed with it both on 35mm and MF film. Given the increased size of the MF film then having a dedicated film scanner for it is an un-neccesary and expensive luxury for most of us I think.

This is a scan of a 6x6 Tmax 100 shot taken with a Lubitel 166U and scanned with the 4490:

 

[lZr]

Epson flatbad scanners are perhaps the top scanners for MF film, like Epson b&w quality of printers

 

[venchka]

Wait for honest reviews of the new Microtek F1 (the Europe version). I'm not saying that it will or won't be better than the Epson V700/V750 twins. But it might be. The units are being tested right now. Results should be out soon. Then you can decide.

 

[Wahoo]

I'd buy a used Nikon Coolscan 8000 in preference to a flat bed. That will extract a lot more detail than a consumer flat bed scanner.

I couldn't agree more, but there again the Coolscan is a little more expe$$ive than my used epson 3170 which ain't half bad.

Re: Microtek F1 v Epson v700, there was a brief review in the Daily Telegraph about 2 months ago where they were rather similiar in performance but the Fi at £595 (IIRC) cost an awful lot more than the v700.

epson 3170 scan.

 

[Wahoo]

Here's a 35mm scan from the very same, not in the same league as the epson v700/750 but never the less, presentable.


epson 3170 35mm film.

 

[Cron]

many thanks for all your statements and pictures in this thread.

Sadly I haven't found a scanner under the christmas tree, so I will have to buy one. I googled for the V700, but this is also out of reach. Scans would only be for presentation in the net, so I think a cheaper one would be a satisfying choice (for me).

Happy Christmas to all!!