Shameful self-crowdfunding for a new scanner

[Cameron]

Hi everyone,

I have no idea if this is allowed, but I'm currently running a GoFundMe campaign to try and get myself a new scanner. I recently graduated with a BA in Photography and since COVID, it's been hard for me to find work (that pays) and have been in sort of a depressive state. The only thing that really fixes that state is getting out and shooting film. My Epson v600 recently broke and simply will not turn on no matter what I've tried, and rather than spending a bunch of money to ship it and get it repaired (which I can't afford anyway), I'm trying to raise funds for a new scanner. An Epson v700 (or 750, 800, 850) -- as I've really fallen in love with shooting 4x5 and the v600 can't do that anyways.

I'm sorry if this is too self-indulgent or considered begging, I'm just feeling kind of desperate and any help would mean the world to me.

Thanks for reading!

Link to the GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-young-photographer-get-a-new-photo-scanner

 

[CMur12]

Done!

Cameron, I'm sorry to hear of the depressive state and I wish you the best!

- Murray

 

[rangefinderlove123]

Be careful with the v800/850 epsons, you will have to get third party holders for medium format i.e. additional expenses.
Unless the issue's been fixed of course, this was a few years ago that these scanners would ship with medium format film holders which were too narrow to take in the negs in their entire width... remarkable

 

[CMur12]

Be careful with the v800/850 epsons, you will have to get third party holders for medium format i.e. additional expenses.
Unless the issue's been fixed of course, this was a few years ago that these scanners would ship with medium format film holders which were too narrow to take in the negs in their entire width... remarkable

Cameron is talking about shooting large format (4x5). Would he have the same issue with it?

- Murray

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Do you have a decent digital camera that you could use as a scanner instead?
Phil Forrest

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Do you have a decent digital camera that you could use as a scanner instead?
Phil Forrest

This is what I'd do. Flatbeds are horrid for film scanning. I've used digital cameras for years to digitize 4x5 transparencies for clients and the image quality is wonderful. Its a lot easier for 4x5 than for 35mm film, which requires a macro lens and far more precise alignment of the film and camera.

 

[rangefinderlove123]

Cameron is talking about shooting large format (4x5). Would he have the same issue with it?

- Murray

The point being that the v700/750 do not have the issue with the 120 film holders. Having said that, someone who has used the OEM 4x5 holders for the v800/850 might have had no issues...

 

[Particular]

I've always been disappointed with medium format scans on Epson flatbeds, but for 4x5 (and up) they are great. I wouldn't bother paying the premium to get a v700/v750/v800, especially if you are on a budget. I have an old 4990 which was to top model before the v700, and is close to the same specs. Even a 3200 can do 4x5. These scanners can be found quite cheaply.
The key to getting all the resolution is film flatness, and positioning it at the right height over the bed. My trick is to get an 8x10 sheet of non-glare picture frame glass or acrylic. The texture is courser than proper anti-Newton glass, but the scanner doesn't see the texture, so there is no need to order the expensive glass. Cut a 4x5 aperture out of a sheet of paper/card to use as a mask, and tape it to the shiny side of the glass. Tape your negative over the aperture on the textured side along the edges and corners, so it sits nice and flat. Lay it negative down over the scanner glass. I tape a stack of thin card spacers in the corners of my sheet of glass to ensure it always sits at the right height. You can find the right height for your scanner simply by testing different stack heights, and pixel peep until you find the sweet spot. I batch scan like this without previewing at 2000 dpi, and get very consistent quality. I think 2000dpi is about the maximum that you can squeeze out of a flatbed. You are just resolving the grain and it is enough for a pretty decent print size.
You will need to scan on an imacon/hasselblad to get more out of your negs, and you won't see the difference unless you are printing very large.
The beauty of 4x5 if you are doing b+w is that it can be done quite cheaply.

 

[Cameron]

This is what I'd do. Flatbeds are horrid for film scanning. I've used digital cameras for years to digitize 4x5 transparencies for clients and the image quality is wonderful. Its a lot easier for 4x5 than for 35mm film, which requires a macro lens and far more precise alignment of the film and camera.

Would you mind sharing a little more about your set up? What kind of lens do you use? Do you just place the negative in a holder on a light table?

I don't currently have a digital camera but that sounds like an interesting method.

 

[CMur12]

I'm going to give this thread a bump to see if we might give this young photographer further consideration.

- Murray

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Would you mind sharing a little more about your set up? What kind of lens do you use? Do you just place the negative in a holder on a light table?

I don't currently have a digital camera but that sounds like an interesting method.

Yeah. You need a good light table that has even light with no bright spots. Put the film in the holder that came with your old scanner and lay it on the light box.


The camera needs to point straight down at the film, so that the camera's sensor is parallel to the film. A copy stand is easier to use for this, but if you don't have one (they're rather overpriced) you can use a good sturdy tripod.


Any lens that will focus close enough to fill the frame with the film will work, but a macro lens is best because macro lenses are corrected to have even sharpness across the whole frame when photographing flat objects, like negatives.