Which scanner should I buy?

[Landberg]

Since I now shoot exclusively with film, I would like to replace my Epson V330 with something that delivers a bit more. I imagine that a scanner just for film scans better pictures, like the Plustek OpticFilm 8100 Film Scanner. But my experience with scanners is not that great. i´m thinking a price where $500 is the roof.

All i´m looking for is the best result, not the fastest or most automatic. Best IQ for the buck.

 

[RallyFan]

I'm in the same boat, so I'll be following this thread. I, too, have been looking at the Plustek, and also the Epson V700, which I understand is quite nice. Leaning more towards the Epson because I don't want to rule out MF in the future (or now really, I do have a Holga I like to play with).

 

[BardParker]

I am very happy with the v700 I just bought for MF and 35mm.

Kent

 

[jtm6]

I have a 7600i (~8200i). I like it but it takes a long time and is manual. When I need uber hi-resolution I can use the Plustek, but I may get a V700 to scan everything at once and because I'm becoming interested in MF.

 

[RaglanSurf]

For your budget of $500 I would think you could pick up a 2nd hand Nikon Coolscan IV. You don't say whether you do and MF or LF work but if it's just 35mm you're shooting you can't go far wrong with a Coolscan and if you decide it's not for you you won't lose any money if you buy carefully.

 

[Ambrosius]

I bought a plustek 8200i recently. Very happy with the image quality and its very solid, seems to be made of metal. I like it very much and I can recommend you. The infrared scan for dust and scratches is very useful, I can't conceive it without that feature. The downside is that it accept only 35mm, and the silver fast software is annoying and sometimes hangs and does strange things (Mac version).

You can find a used 7600, I think it's the same and cheaper.

Wish I could help a bit

 

[Godfrey]

I now have a pair of Nikons, Coolscan V and 9000. They are the best film scanners I've used short of rental time on a $20,000 Imacon. The Coolscan IV or V is approachable used for $400-$800 if you hunt.

G