pesphoto
Veteran
Well, we've sold the Nikon coolscan, so no more neg scanning. Having my darkroom now, I'll need a flatbed scanner to scan my prints. Any recomendations? Im on a mac running OS 10.4.
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what flatbed scanner to buy?
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jono1515
Newbie
I'm wondering the same thing, I recently started printing my own negs in a darkroom and have been wondering if I'd be better off scanning the prints or the negatives on a cheaper flatbed scanner.
I think I've read often that the epson v750 is a good flatbed scanner... I've never had one even that nice though.
How much are you thinking of spending on the scanner?
I think I've read often that the epson v750 is a good flatbed scanner... I've never had one even that nice though.
How much are you thinking of spending on the scanner?
thomasw_
Well-known
Well as xray has pointed out top of the line flatbed scanners are not feasible financially for most hobbists because of the fact that they are top shelf in terms of quality. So the question is what cost are you willing to bear? The V700 is an excellent flatbed scanner for a hobbist, but if you are a pro there are big time expensive options.
amateriat
We're all light!
Flatbed scanning of finished prints is the method Ralph Gibson (a.k.a. Mr. Not Dead Yet) uses – in fact, he lays down the prints down straight from the print washer, still wet, which he says improves scan quality), and I get the feeling he uses a tabloid-sized flatbed similar to what I use. This is what you might want if you have a hankering to print beyond 8x10" prints. Otherwise, there are quite a few "normal" (legal-size) scanners to would work just fine, and for not a lot of money.
If, however, you might want to still do some above-average-quality film scanning, I think something along the lines of Epson's V700 series would work quite well.
- Barrett
If, however, you might want to still do some above-average-quality film scanning, I think something along the lines of Epson's V700 series would work quite well.
- Barrett
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outforalaska
Member
I've been using my father's v750pro. I'm impressed with the quality, but have a few problems with a couple of things.
The negative holders seem a bit cheap for something that I thought was an expensive scanner. The negatives don't sit flat and are curled a bit from top to bottom. I don't know if this really makes a noticeable difference in the end, but it makes me a bit weary.
As I don't have it in my own home and have only used it on occasion I've yet to get the chance to really sit down and try and optimize the scan. Off the shelf, my father's seems to lack a bit of color; something I'm sure is easily adjusted.
The ICE technology is a little beyond me, but I seem to feel I get better results playing around with the picture in Photoshop. Of course this requires going through each picture one by one- which makes me wish I could really calibrate it to produce a good product right out of the scanner.
So, in short; with a little calibration, I think the 750, and the 700 (I've read that the 750 isn't really THAT much better), would be a great flatbed scanner.
The negative holders seem a bit cheap for something that I thought was an expensive scanner. The negatives don't sit flat and are curled a bit from top to bottom. I don't know if this really makes a noticeable difference in the end, but it makes me a bit weary.
As I don't have it in my own home and have only used it on occasion I've yet to get the chance to really sit down and try and optimize the scan. Off the shelf, my father's seems to lack a bit of color; something I'm sure is easily adjusted.
The ICE technology is a little beyond me, but I seem to feel I get better results playing around with the picture in Photoshop. Of course this requires going through each picture one by one- which makes me wish I could really calibrate it to produce a good product right out of the scanner.
So, in short; with a little calibration, I think the 750, and the 700 (I've read that the 750 isn't really THAT much better), would be a great flatbed scanner.
drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
I'd get a Microtek M1. I'm really happy with the i900 I'm using, and the M is even better. Look into the "pro" version, with full version Silverfast software.
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
Carlo
Member
Hi. I am happy owner of an Epson V700 and I can warmly suggest it. In case you plan to scan film and not only prints, then I also suggest you purchase a wet-scan cassette, it really pays off.
pfoto
Well-known
jalLee2001
jallee55
Espson V700 vs the Nikon 5000
Espson V700 vs the Nikon 5000
I am only planning to scan 35 neg's and slides, any thoughts on how the 700/750 would compare to the nikon 5000? The Epson seems to have a much higher resolution. People have told me that the dedicated film scanner will always be better
Espson V700 vs the Nikon 5000
I am only planning to scan 35 neg's and slides, any thoughts on how the 700/750 would compare to the nikon 5000? The Epson seems to have a much higher resolution. People have told me that the dedicated film scanner will always be better
Dektol Dan
Well-known
Flatbeds aren't very good for negatives, even the best of the best. The older dedicated film scanners that muster 2400 DPI are far better than what the advertised DPIs for the flat beds are.
I have an Epson 4990 (identical in quality to the V series) that is supposed to make 3200 DPI, in reality it can make 1400, and 1600 if you cheat (sharpen) in its favor. Theoretical limits for flat beds is traditionally 1200 DPI.
For prints I would go for a used legal sized flat bed. Any of the better makes will do. Flat beds do very well with reflected light, so the bigger the better.
I have an Epson 4990 (identical in quality to the V series) that is supposed to make 3200 DPI, in reality it can make 1400, and 1600 if you cheat (sharpen) in its favor. Theoretical limits for flat beds is traditionally 1200 DPI.
For prints I would go for a used legal sized flat bed. Any of the better makes will do. Flat beds do very well with reflected light, so the bigger the better.
dedmonds
Established
My experience is a little different than Dektop Dan's. I've been very happy with the flatbed Epson V700 using Vuescan on Ubuntu Linux for scanning 35mm B&W negatives.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
I agree with Dektol Dan, as I have the 4990 that he has AND a new Nikon Coolscan V ED - the quality is just better in the dedicated film scanner, and the resolution - 4000 - beats the make believe high resolution of the Epson. But for a good flatbed scan of photos, that Epson is darned good. Unless you've tried scanning 35mm film in a dedicated film scanner, you just don't know that there is a big difference. I was a doubter before the Coolscan arrived, like many that have commented here.
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