Leica All Day
Veteran
Hello everybody,
I am going to America tomorrow for a couple of weeks and I am in need of a good film scanner. I have been reading about the Epson V850 , I am aware that it is basically the same as the Epson 700 but it is supposed to be a little faster, different lights and comes with different film holders. That's really all I know about the new Epson V850. I plan on scanning both Black and White and color negatives, I don't plan on scanning a lot of prints, mostly I'll be scanning negatives.
Any recommendations and/or advice is greatly appreciative. I know very little about scanning so I am a "newbie" when it comes to this topic.
Cheers, Michael
I am going to America tomorrow for a couple of weeks and I am in need of a good film scanner. I have been reading about the Epson V850 , I am aware that it is basically the same as the Epson 700 but it is supposed to be a little faster, different lights and comes with different film holders. That's really all I know about the new Epson V850. I plan on scanning both Black and White and color negatives, I don't plan on scanning a lot of prints, mostly I'll be scanning negatives.
Any recommendations and/or advice is greatly appreciative. I know very little about scanning so I am a "newbie" when it comes to this topic.
Cheers, Michael
froyd
Veteran
Michael,
What size film will you be scanning?
What size film will you be scanning?
x-ray
Veteran
If you're only scanning 35mm you're much better off buying a dedicated film scanner like the Plustek. I don't use my 750 for anything smaller than 4x5. You really don't get good scans from 35mm on a flatbed till you get into the professional range like the Eversmart or Fuji Finescans. I owned a couple of the Fuji and they're amazing and sold them because I replaced them with a Hasselblad scanner. The downside of the Eversmart and Fuji are size, weight, very expensive repairs if parts are even available in the case of the Fuji and the need for legacy computers, SCSI interface in many and outdated software.
The Epson machines are nice but just not very good for critical work with small negs. Adjustable film holders help as I understand but they still fall short of a modestly priced dedicated film scanner. I had a Plustek for a short time and was impressed with the scans.
The Epson machines are nice but just not very good for critical work with small negs. Adjustable film holders help as I understand but they still fall short of a modestly priced dedicated film scanner. I had a Plustek for a short time and was impressed with the scans.
Leica All Day
Veteran
thanks for the replies guys, I will be mostly scanning 35mm along with some 120, but mostly 35mm.
One concern I have is buying an "old" scanner that might be difficult to repair out here in Bangkok, that is why I was looking at the Epson V850.
I don't know anything about a Plustek, are they new? easy to find for sale?
I had no idea Hasselblad made a film scanner, I need to look into that.
any information is really appreciated.
cheers, michael
One concern I have is buying an "old" scanner that might be difficult to repair out here in Bangkok, that is why I was looking at the Epson V850.
I don't know anything about a Plustek, are they new? easy to find for sale?
I had no idea Hasselblad made a film scanner, I need to look into that.
any information is really appreciated.
cheers, michael
Pete B
Well-known
I know you like your colour c41, Michael. Before you get another Epson, have a look at the Pakon F135+ which must be run on Windows XP. It scans a roll of 36 exposures in about a minute. Yes. A minute. Colours look very good out of it, but most take the files into PP software. Good for B+W too. Files are about 3000x2000 eqivivalent to about 6MP. Suitable for web, and some print to about 11 inch on the long side, I believe.
Take a look at the Facebok group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PakonF135/?fref=ts
Purchase from these guys - great service.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pakon-F-1...35-plus-for-Noritsu-Fuji-Kodak-/400813923376?
No good for 120 though.
NB, I have the Plustek 120 and 8100. Both excellent scanners with good backup service.
Pete
Take a look at the Facebok group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PakonF135/?fref=ts
Purchase from these guys - great service.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pakon-F-1...35-plus-for-Noritsu-Fuji-Kodak-/400813923376?
No good for 120 though.
NB, I have the Plustek 120 and 8100. Both excellent scanners with good backup service.
Pete
ChrisLivsey
Veteran
I think all you really need to know is the X5 Hasselblad retails at £15,000 and the bargain X1 at £9,495 both plus 20% sales tax in the UK.
I think what your end use is is important not just the neg size to start with. For general printing and web uploads the V850 is hard to fault at the price covering 120 and upwards. If you want absolute top quality and large size of prints it will not cut it and you will need to invest more, a lot more, and that will include a lot more time and effort learning how to scan and process the scans. If I need that scale I send it out to be done. I echo the 8100 as great value, I have one but needed 120 upwards so the V850 joined the crew.
rjstep3
Established
Another point is how many scans you are proposing to make.
If you get a dedicated film scanner, you will probably have to feed them through one by one - very laborious. However, as a poster said above, you will get good quality scans for each 35mm frame you scan.
As against which, if you get a V750/V850, you can lay a lot of frames on the flatbed, let it scan and go and make yourself a cup of tea while it gets on with it. If they are good shots, you can get yourself something stronger! Batch scanning is a breeze with the Epson.
A couple of points: make sure whether you need the V750/V850 as opposed to the V700/V800. The difference, as I understand it, is minimal apart from the ability to do wet mounting for scans in the case of V*50.
Also ask yourself the final destination for your scans: if you are just scanning in for the web, the Epson is all you need (and probably more than you need). If you are scanning a 35mm frame for printing out at A3 or more, you might think about getting a dedicated film scanner. TBH, for practical purposes, there is not a huge amount of difference between the Epson and a dedicated film scanner.
Or get both - the Epson for batch, and the film scanner for those choice shots. Or get the Plustek Opticfilm 120, which is expensive, but gives the best of both worlds, allowing batch scanning and good quality.
Finally, scanning is itself a dark art, very complex, very subtle, and the more you get into it, the more you realise that scanning is a further refinement on what you can possibly get out of your shot in addition to good composition and good exposure. So be prepared for a steep learning curve - there are some good websites out there with some tips.
rjstep3
If you get a dedicated film scanner, you will probably have to feed them through one by one - very laborious. However, as a poster said above, you will get good quality scans for each 35mm frame you scan.
As against which, if you get a V750/V850, you can lay a lot of frames on the flatbed, let it scan and go and make yourself a cup of tea while it gets on with it. If they are good shots, you can get yourself something stronger! Batch scanning is a breeze with the Epson.
A couple of points: make sure whether you need the V750/V850 as opposed to the V700/V800. The difference, as I understand it, is minimal apart from the ability to do wet mounting for scans in the case of V*50.
Also ask yourself the final destination for your scans: if you are just scanning in for the web, the Epson is all you need (and probably more than you need). If you are scanning a 35mm frame for printing out at A3 or more, you might think about getting a dedicated film scanner. TBH, for practical purposes, there is not a huge amount of difference between the Epson and a dedicated film scanner.
Or get both - the Epson for batch, and the film scanner for those choice shots. Or get the Plustek Opticfilm 120, which is expensive, but gives the best of both worlds, allowing batch scanning and good quality.
Finally, scanning is itself a dark art, very complex, very subtle, and the more you get into it, the more you realise that scanning is a further refinement on what you can possibly get out of your shot in addition to good composition and good exposure. So be prepared for a steep learning curve - there are some good websites out there with some tips.
rjstep3
rjstep3
Established
you might like to look at this thread too:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145685
rjstep3
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145685
rjstep3
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Have you checked Hasseblad prices, yet? 
Back to Earth, you are still about to waste your money with 850.
Which makes sense only if you are into LF.
What is the porpoise of scans for you?
Are you highly paid film photographer and your prints are on demand in art galleries at large size? In this very rare case, I might be wrong and Hasseblad is good solution if you want it new.
How about film as hobby and some printable scans suitable for sale?
Two film armies on this front.
First is taking snapshots, like car plate on parking lot and scanning it at 6400 to get 100% crop from 500MB file and blog about different lenses difference, which nobody will see on regular print.
Second group is simply film photogs. We want to have our scan to be usable for sharing and printable in regular size. I'm one of them.
Highly recommend V600 as available as new at $200 price. It will give good scans for 120 and even 4x5 is possible.
It will also serve you well for color and b/w 35mm scans suitable for 8x10 or slightly bigger prints.
For another $200-300 you could get dedicated 135 format scanner. It will give you more resolution and small unit size. You will need another $100 for better scanning software, available on-line.
I have Epson V500 flatbed and Pacific Image 7200, both are under $200 new. If one of them is out of order, I'll still have one left...
Back to Earth, you are still about to waste your money with 850.
Which makes sense only if you are into LF.
What is the porpoise of scans for you?
Are you highly paid film photographer and your prints are on demand in art galleries at large size? In this very rare case, I might be wrong and Hasseblad is good solution if you want it new.
How about film as hobby and some printable scans suitable for sale?
Two film armies on this front.
First is taking snapshots, like car plate on parking lot and scanning it at 6400 to get 100% crop from 500MB file and blog about different lenses difference, which nobody will see on regular print.
Second group is simply film photogs. We want to have our scan to be usable for sharing and printable in regular size. I'm one of them.
Highly recommend V600 as available as new at $200 price. It will give good scans for 120 and even 4x5 is possible.
It will also serve you well for color and b/w 35mm scans suitable for 8x10 or slightly bigger prints.
For another $200-300 you could get dedicated 135 format scanner. It will give you more resolution and small unit size. You will need another $100 for better scanning software, available on-line.
I have Epson V500 flatbed and Pacific Image 7200, both are under $200 new. If one of them is out of order, I'll still have one left...
Leica All Day
Veteran
thanks everybody, that Pakon F-135 on ebay looks good and not too expensive. Since the majority of my scans will be 35mm, that might be a good option. As far as final results go, I plan on scanning some negatives to make a book, so quality is important to me.
Sadly, those Hasselblad scanners are out of my price range. I am going to take a look at the Plustek Opticfilm 120 scanner as well, I have never heard of it.
ChrisLivsey, may I ask, how do you like the V850 for 35mm? What do you usually the V850 for, 135mm or larger?
Thanks again everybody, I know there is going to br a learning curved here for me, but I am prepared to learn.
One more question, it may sound silly, but what is a "wet mounting"? does that mean scanning negatives that are wet?
cheers, michael
Sadly, those Hasselblad scanners are out of my price range. I am going to take a look at the Plustek Opticfilm 120 scanner as well, I have never heard of it.
ChrisLivsey, may I ask, how do you like the V850 for 35mm? What do you usually the V850 for, 135mm or larger?
Thanks again everybody, I know there is going to br a learning curved here for me, but I am prepared to learn.
One more question, it may sound silly, but what is a "wet mounting"? does that mean scanning negatives that are wet?
cheers, michael
Leica All Day
Veteran
Hello Ko.Fe,
I believe I am in this group
"Second group is simply film photogs. We want to have our scan to be usable for sharing and printable in regular size. I'm one of them. "
I don't plan on printing anything biggar than 8x10 or maybe 11x14
Thanks for the informative reply, I had no idea that I can buy a "new" epson v600 scanner.
What dedicated film scanner would you recommend for 35mm?
cheers
I believe I am in this group
"Second group is simply film photogs. We want to have our scan to be usable for sharing and printable in regular size. I'm one of them. "
I don't plan on printing anything biggar than 8x10 or maybe 11x14
Thanks for the informative reply, I had no idea that I can buy a "new" epson v600 scanner.
What dedicated film scanner would you recommend for 35mm?
cheers
Leica All Day
Veteran
BTW, not sure if this matters or not, but I will be in L.A. for a couple of days and then in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for about 12 days, so if anyone knows of a store in either location that might have scanners, that would help too.
cheers everybody
cheers everybody
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
If you want to have it new - Plustek with "i" model.
V600 is availible as new at B&H, it is in the same legue as my V500.
sreed2006
Well-known
As far as I have been able to find out, the Epson 850 is not available in brick-and-mortar stores, but only through on-line ordering.
Edit to add: I bought the Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner last night from Micro Center, for just over $200.00. The film holders are still what I consider low quality - flimsy plastic that do not hold the film flat across the width. But, it works on a budget.
Edit to add: I bought the Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner last night from Micro Center, for just over $200.00. The film holders are still what I consider low quality - flimsy plastic that do not hold the film flat across the width. But, it works on a budget.
froyd
Veteran
Also note that most of the scanners mentioned above, especially the Pakon, will be big and heavy to transport, so be forewarned.
If you decide to go with a Pakon, skip the eBay route and get it from AAAImaging. You'll get better service and support if anything should go wrong with the Pakon. Note that most of the Pakons out there are USED units as hey are essentially re-purposed equipment from minilabs that closed down. I have not heard of new old stock.
The 850 might be a good choice. It's far better than you'd think from internet posts. I ended up getting a Coolscan, but an RFF member was kind enough to send me a 35mm scan at full resolution from a V700 and I was able to print a very good 8x10. The BIG advantage of the Epsons is the ability to handle all formats. It's a great starting point. If you fiind out you need more speed for 35mm processing, you can add a Pakon later, or if you decide you need higher quality, you can add a Plustek, Minolta, or Nikon.
If you decide to go with a Pakon, skip the eBay route and get it from AAAImaging. You'll get better service and support if anything should go wrong with the Pakon. Note that most of the Pakons out there are USED units as hey are essentially re-purposed equipment from minilabs that closed down. I have not heard of new old stock.
The 850 might be a good choice. It's far better than you'd think from internet posts. I ended up getting a Coolscan, but an RFF member was kind enough to send me a 35mm scan at full resolution from a V700 and I was able to print a very good 8x10. The BIG advantage of the Epsons is the ability to handle all formats. It's a great starting point. If you fiind out you need more speed for 35mm processing, you can add a Pakon later, or if you decide you need higher quality, you can add a Plustek, Minolta, or Nikon.
Merlijn53
Established
Have a look at the Minolta scanners. The Elite 5400 can be had under €400 and you won't easily find anything better. The cheaper models around €100. The are even places where you can still have them serviced.
Frank
Frank
MikeL
Go Fish
So no Vesuvios?
ChrisLivsey
Veteran
Both 35mm and 120, and as test a 10 year old 1/2 plate negative as well
All recent posts to my Flickr are from the scanner they are mostly tagged as V850, if not I probably just missed the tag, should be around 100 now I would guess at various sizes (not that you can tell at web size only if you select to view a larger size!!)
I am very happy with the quality without too much post work, if I wanted to do that I would shoot more RAW digital
The advantage of running three strips of six 35mm negs to a good enough quality in about 20mins unattended is very useful instead of sitting by the 8100 feeding them in which would take longer, probably around 45mins.
Flickr link is in the sig.below. Recent work using harvey 777 and Delagi#8 so not mainstream but look at the Tech Pan stuff and tell me the scanner isn't sharp !! (Excepting the pinhole shots)
V-12
Well-known
I think you have two real choices if you want to do 35mm and 120 to any sort of high or professional standard. So first, get out of your head the Pakon, it is nowadays an amateur standard machine but operated in its day by professionals, so don't get caught up in the idea it is a professional machine that you can buy cheap.
The first proper option is an Epson V800 for your digital contact sheets, both 35mm and 120, and for scanning at high resolution 120. Then also buy a Plustek 35mm scanner for scanning your 35mm film to a high standard. This is a very useful and flexible arrangement even if it does involve two scanners.
The second option is to buy a Plustek 120 scanner which is a modern alternative to the aging Nikon 9000. This is the more costly route, but in one machine it does everything to a very high standard, both 35mm and 120.
V
The first proper option is an Epson V800 for your digital contact sheets, both 35mm and 120, and for scanning at high resolution 120. Then also buy a Plustek 35mm scanner for scanning your 35mm film to a high standard. This is a very useful and flexible arrangement even if it does involve two scanners.
The second option is to buy a Plustek 120 scanner which is a modern alternative to the aging Nikon 9000. This is the more costly route, but in one machine it does everything to a very high standard, both 35mm and 120.
V
Leica All Day
Veteran
thanks everybody for your information, I really appreciate it… I am sitting at the airport now in Bangkok looking at scanners online to buy and have shipped to my house in the states…..not really sure yet what to get……I need to do some more research….
Sorry MikeL, no Vesuvios this time, I really wish I could make it up to San Francisco and meet up with you and the rest of the guys there, but my time is very limited in the states this trip……but I am confident that we will meet up again at some point in the future and have a good chat over some nice beer.
Cheers, michael
Sorry MikeL, no Vesuvios this time, I really wish I could make it up to San Francisco and meet up with you and the rest of the guys there, but my time is very limited in the states this trip……but I am confident that we will meet up again at some point in the future and have a good chat over some nice beer.
Cheers, michael