Scanner Purchase

[thawkins]

I want to buy a good scanner to scan transparencies, b@w and color prints. Somebody give me some info on which one. It should be easy to use, yield a good result and priced within reason. All replies are appreciated.

Tom

 

[DavRaz]

For both slides and negatives I have a Nikon LS-5000 which does an outstanding job. I am quite happy with both the software and the scanner.
For prints I have an old Linotype Saphire ultra 2 (unfortunately no longer in production) that also does a great job. Check reviews on the Epson flat bed scanners. They seen to be quite good.

 

[lynnb]

Tom,
You seem to want a flatbed that also does transparencies, and it would be helpful if you indicated what price range "within reason" is. I suggest a starting point would be to talk to owners and look for reviews of the Epson V750 (there's a review on photo-i.co.uk).
Just be aware that flatbeds generally have a much lower dmax than dedicated slide scanners, meaning lost shadow detail when you scan transparencies. You get what you pay for - if you want high quality transparency scans you might want to look into paying for Imacon scans of your best images.
Regards,
Lynn

 

[srtiwari]

Tom,
There are many options, depending on your needs and budget. If you want to do prints, you cannot use a dedicated Film scanner which has better quality output. A Flatbed Scanner, which is what you'll need, can vary from $200 to about $700- several models are made by Epson and Canon and are popular. If you are not going to do many prints, you might be better off getting a film scanner, and having the prints sent out to someone to do.

Subhash

 

[Keith]

I highly recommend the Epson V700 or V750 which are virtually the same scanner. Good with 35mm and excellent with medium and large format negatives or transparencies. It's also a reflective scanner for prints.

 

[ceUs]

I'm using a Nikon 5000ED for 35mm and the Epson V700 for everything larger than that and reflectives.
My experience is, that the Nikon has better Software and also produces better images the easy way! The V700 requires quite some tweaking for optimal results and I had some banding issues quite often, but they seem to change with resolution used.

If I had the money I'd go for the Nikon 8000, cause it does medium format as well as 35mm, the only reason for the V700. Especially because the Nikons are faster as well!

Otherwise the V700 is worth every penny whilst the Nikons are qualitywise not worth more than twice the money (if going for 35mm) or even nearly five times the money. It’s more a question of comfort.

 

[sooner]

I second the V700, I actually got rid of my Minolta Scan Elite II because the Epson was just as good, even for my 35m slides, and of course I appreciated a scanner for medium format all in one package. I've never tried the Nikons, but they are just so much more expensive that it wasn't an option for me.

 

[RayPA]

Well the requirement for scanning prints pretty much puts you in the flatbed market.

I just bought the V750 M Pro for MF, batch scanning, flat art, and the fluid-mount capabilities. I ordered mine earlier this week. I pulled the trigger because Epson has an $80 instant rebate, which ends today, btw. So, if you're thinking about buying this one, do it now.


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[astroman]

Go with the coolscan 5000

 

[Mephiloco]

Although it won't do prints, a Canoscan FS4000US does slides and negatives very well. It's only usb1.1 and scsi though, so it's a little slow I guess (over usb) but it's fine with me. Scans at up to 4000 dpi and has FARE (canon's version of digital ice)

The Coolscan 5000 is probably a better scanner, but at the price point the Canoscan is a real steal. I bought mine recently for $65 in new condition with the caveat that he had none of the film/transparency holders. I ended up getting one from Canon for $20 shipped, and now for $85 I have an amazing dedicated film scanner.

The Epson flatbeds are good too, but I never scan regular documents/prints, and I like having a dedicated film scanner. 4000 dpi is pretty nice, should I ever need to scan something at that high of a resolution.