Scanning Alternatives (?)

[john_van_v]

I have been happily scanning at 2400 dpi on an epson 3170 that I got at a garage sale two years ago.

But suddenly (and unexpectedly) I have a fan, and she wants big prints!!

Most pictures are printing well on an epson 9800 (every print shop has one, as well as a very well-paid photographer in New Paltz, NY), especially ones taken w/ my Kodak c875 (more surprises!)

My first thought was to have my requested negatives scanned by a "professional," and my second thought is to have optical prints made, and then scan them.

The third option, of course, is to pay out for a dedicated negative scanner.

Chances are good that I will not be going to 2 1/4 too soon, as 100 speed film seems to do the trick, if you use a tripod.

What are the options these days? Are dedicated scanners falling in price like they should be?


(This is for color, usually Superia through a Jupiter 8. I really, really need to start developing and printing my own B&W, just like I used to do in the old days -- loading 50 shots of HP5 with my bulk loader in each roll, but that's a whole other thread.)

 

[40oz]

I hate to suggest this because it's so old now, but the HP Photosmart S20 USB (2400x2400 max resolution) is quite good. I recently was able to make comparison scans with a much newer flatbed, and while the flatbed scans (with film holder) were ostensibly the same resolution (2400x4800 is the claim), they missed detail that is easily apparent in the S20 scans. You wouldn't know what you are missing in your scans if you only used a flatbed.

On the other hand, better scans show more flaws in the negative - tiny scratches and dust. But better scans are better scans. The kinds of detail I am referring to are things like highlight streaks running down a chrome tube on a bike. The S20 scan showed far more detail in the chrome than the flatbed scan. The flatbed scan looked fine at full size until I pulled up the S20 scan, then it looked muddy by comparison (painted with a heavy hand and a thick brush).

You can still find the S20 on ebay and Amazon. You only want the USB version, the SCSI version is similar but the software and hardware is inferior. I have no issues with driver support for XP. I don't think they have a driver specifically for Vista, but I don't have Vista either, so no idea of compatibility.

The only reason I suggest it is because it is easily the best dedicated film scanner for the money.

 

[john_van_v]

Thanks, are you able to see the grain, say, at 400 ASA?