Suggestions on a -$500 Scanner

[Turves]

I havn't done much research yet on a Scanner under $500.

Is a dedicated film scanner better than a flat bed with an adapter?

I am looking at either an Epson Perfection v500


http://www.epson.com.au/products/scanner/perfectionv500photo.asp

or a Plustek 7400.

http://www.teds.com.au/scanners/plustek-optic-film-7400-scanner/w1/i3024964_3025174/

My intentions are to scan some of a back log of old Fuji Chrome positive film from the early 90s and then to keep up to date with scanning the latest that I have taken - Not much at this stage. Including B&W film. Nearly all is 35mm.

I just want to have the images in a digital format, maybe put on the web for display and maybe print select images. Not to very large sizes 8 x 10 max.

Which do you guys/girls prefer to use or what is better value for money?

Thanks.

 

[spanish_inquisition]

Canon 9000F might be an even better option

Canon 9000F might be an even better option

It's less than $200 and matches the capabilities of the Epson V500.
The Plustek might be able to give you a bit more resolving power, but the Epson/Canon will let you scan medium format too (if you care at all).

 

[Frank Petronio]

Get a used Konica-Minolta DualScan IV 35mm FILM scanner for $250.

Buy a reconditioned or old stock Epson 4990 flatbed with the 8x10 transparency scanning lid for about the same.

The film scanner will outperform any consumer flatbed. The flatbed will scan up to 8x10 film and prints, plus entire contact sheets.

The DualScan has better real world performance and usability than anything short of the Nikon Coolscan 5000 ($1000 scanner).

The Epson 4990 is essentially their current top of the line 700-750 model in an older chassis.

Don't even read the bogus specs and glowing ad copy scanner manufacturers present, it is total crap.

The only other thing you might get is a copy of VueScan scanning software, although the OEM software is fine and easily found online.

 

[tofagerl]

I agree, $500 is actually too much in your scenario, spend the extra $300 on entertainment while scanning instead, that stuff takes time!

(I suggest beer!)

(Oooh, or a bear! If you could get one cheaply enough, the entertainment could be endless. If you survive the first roll, that is...)

 

[Turves]

Interesting. My partner has a Epson 4490 but its a little political getting her to let me use it. As she hasn't used it for film yet. So maybe I should get her to "show me how to use it" then at least give it a try before I buy anything else.

The suggestion about beer is excellent. I am practicing that part of the equation right now.
Cheers.

 

[spanish_inquisition]

Interesting. My partner has a Epson 4490 but its a little political getting her to let me use it. As she hasn't used it for film yet. So maybe I should get her to "show me how to use it" then at least give it a try before I buy anything else.

The suggestion about beer is excellent. I am practicing that part of the equation right now.
Cheers.

It looks to me that you can skip the "buying a scanner" part entirely and invest all that cold cash in the so-called "entertainment", i.e. beer and whatnot.

 

[FalseDigital]

I have the Epson V500 and I'm very pleased with the results. (although the film holders are rather flimsy so you might want to buy some better ones) BTW I got this scanner brand new from BHPhotovideo for $124

Also I have to disagree about the Canoscan, nearly every image I've seen scanned with Canoscan series scanners seem to have this slight grain to them even if there isn't any grain present in the negative. I think the Epson handles them better and also has better color correction.

I scanned these with the V500:

(lomography 400 ISO 120 film)

(super expired Kodak 400 Gold 35mm film)

(Fuji 400 120 Film)

 

[venchka]

Learn how to use the 4490. It's a decent scanner. Use your scanner budget on more film.

 

[Spyro]

What Frank Petronio said. The best way is 2 scanners, the 4490 is fine for MF but for 35mm try to find an old minolta or nikon or used plustek, in that order. If you have tons of 35mm to scan the epson software which comes with the 4490 gives you decent size previews quickly to make your selection, then you can pop the best frames in the dedicated scanner for proper scans.

 

[Morca007]

Get a used Konica-Minolta DualScan IV 35mm FILM scanner for $250.

I've been eying a dedicated scanner for 35mm (120 and 4x5 will have to suffer with my 8600 for now) for quite some time, but this post of yours convinced me for some reason. And within 2 days of looking I got myself a DS IV for $100 on ebay, if it sucks I'm blaming you, Frank! 😉