Scanner on a budget

[boffen]

I can't afford paper copies/store scans anymore, so I'm looking for a scanner. I'm on a budget, and judging from what some people say, this means I'm going to get horrible results. I don't believe these people, luckily. I'm going to scan mostly B&W, with a few rolls of color from time to time. I never print, and don't see myself doing it anytime soon either, at least nothing bigger than A4.

So, I'm on a budget, I think I can afford scanners that are similar in cost to the V500. I'm on a Mac, if that matters.

 

[Ranchu]

V500's worth the money, imo. Works on a mac. I guess it's V300 or V600 now. Get whichever has the most Dmax.

🙂

 

[anerjee]

How much would you be scanning?

I use a Plustek 7600. My scans easily best the mini-lab scans I had been used to. It is small (which I value a lot), and the design negates the need to deal with glass surfaces and film flatness issues.

But the Plusteks are not built for bulk or batch scanning. If you need to scan more than a couple of rolls per week, perhaps the flatbed would be a better option.

 

[baycrest]

If you don't mind buying old technology and are using clean negatives with a minimum of dust or better still no dust, then for about $250 you can get a new Plustek 7300.

All Plustek models do not have batch processing, so you need to advance each frame you want to scan.

I believe the 7600 Ai or SE is the latest model, difference being that the software packaged with the AI will cost you about a $100 more or so.

You can google for prices

 

[FalseDigital]

I also have a Epson V500. I use it with Vuescan instead of the original software. Also, I'm using a mac as well. Here are some samples of things I've scanned with it:

Kodak Gold 400 - 35mm

Kodak Ektar - 6x4.5

Expired Kodak Gold 400 - 35mm

 

[zauhar]

I got a Canon 9000 recently (http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107596), and with Vuescan I am very pleased with the results for both B&W and color. The thread includes some scans with the Canon software, which sucks.

It costs a little less than a Plustek, and includes negative holders for 35mm and MF film, and of course being a flatbed you can use for more than just film.

Randy

 

[blw]

I suppose it depends on what you wish to scan. I had some medium format to scan (although I just unloaded all my MF gear except for a Holga) but I do also have a lot of 35mm to scan. I got the V500 because I could pick it up for around $150 at my local Staples.

Unfortunately, I scanned all of 3 frames before I developed issues either with the scanner or the software. I'm trying to figure out which as I type this. There may be a separate thread about this before the day is done.