Your thoughts on Canon 8400f scanner

[Shadesofgrey]

Hi all. Anyone out there using/used a Canon 8400f scanner. I’m thinking of getting one while I’m dark-room-less. Read a few (at a glance) reports that praise it but would like to hear from those whom have had first hand experience. Like to hear recommendations as to rival/similar scanners also. The Canon is at a good price at the moment and accepts both 35mm and 120 film, I assume (not much info as yet) I’ll be able to scan up to 6x6 negs?

All the best.
B.

 

[FrankS]

I happen to be scanning some negs right now on this scanner. I've owned it for a few months, and have scanned maybe 30 negs with it. I am a happy and stisfied customer. There are still things that I have to learn so as not to clip my shadows etc, but the scanner works fine. And yes, it does a strip of 3 6x6 negs at a time, as well as 2 strips of 6 35m negs. It also has a holder or mounted 35mm slides.

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Hi Frank. Thanks for the info. What was the set-up like and do you find it easy to work with. Is there anything you don't like about it? I have (on loan!!) a Nikon Coolscan 1v ED which, I have to say, is very impressive when it comes to sharpness but I just don't get on with the interface and it's oh-----so sloooooow! Still, mustn’t moan or the wife will take it back🙄
All the best.
B.

 

[FrankS]

I'm not a very computer savy person, I'd give myself a mark of 5/10, and I found it easy to set up and to use. Now, to use it well, is a different story. It comes with photoshop elements version 2.

 

[jon_flanders]

I have this scanner. I also have a Polaroid Sprintscan 35 Plus. I have found that the quality of the Sprintscan scans for 35 is better than the Canon, but I regularly use the 8400f for 120, with good results.

Mind you, the Canon 35 scans are not bad, it's just that a dedicated film scanner is better.

At the price, you can't go wrong getting it, and it is easy to use. Attached is a recent scan of a Iskra 2 shot.

 

[FrankS]

Here's what I was scanning. I don' know if is an argument for or against the scanner. If it is lacking, it is due to my skills. I'm still working on my shadows.

 

[kzim56]

I've used a Canon 8400F for 35mm and 120 for more than a year. I use Vuescan for most of my negative scans with good results. My only complaint is the rickety negative carrier. One of the 35mm frames broke and I have to be extra careful with it. I think for the price, it's a good scanner.

Karl

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Hi Jon: nice composition, was that from a 35 or 120. What’s the 120 holder like, flimsy plastic?
Hi Frank. Interesting subject (forsaken Case VA tractor) though I can’t judge the shadows very well as I’m on a laptop with a TFT screen which, depending on how I hold my head, or which way the wind’s blowing looks different ever time😱 Detail looks great though, going to save image on pen drive and transfer to a proper computer for a better look.
Hi Karl. Funny you should mention the broken carrier. I’ve heard they’re a little flimsy, just asked Jon that very question. Then again, as you say, for the price it’s a good deal. Think there’s a guy on the web who makes carriers, sure I read about it in a review, going to take a look. Thanks for all the help guys…………………. Canon 8400f it is.
All the best.
B.

 

[jon_flanders]

Hi Jon: nice composition, was that from a 35 or 120. What’s the 120 holder like, flimsy plastic?

That's a 120. Attached is a 35mm, from a Minolta Himatic 9.

The holder is pretty frail plastic. It's usable though, no worse than my Sprintscan holder, which is held together with tape now. The problem with 120 is getting the negs flat first.

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Hi Jon. Considering I'm looking at your scan on a TFT lap top I think it's dam good! Can't wait to load it on my pen drive and pop it on a proper computer. Frank S sent me a scan of a Case tractor and I put that on my CTX monitor, nice, real nice. From what I can see riight now the skin tones look real good, great lens, really like the Minolta Himatic 9, I have its baby brother the all black G2. Love the T shirt with matching sox! So what's the problem with the 6X6 film, curling?
All the best.
B

 

[jon_flanders]

The problem with 120 film is call "newton's rings", if the film is somewhat curled. The heat of the scan causes a distortion that looks like the rings caused in water when you toss in a stone.

Yes, that 35mm scan is pretty good. My problem with this scanner at lower resolutions is a tendency to cut the edges of an object in the image off abruptly. If you scan at 1200dpi its not so noticeable, but it's where it can't really compete with a dedicated film scanner. I've also noticed a lack of detail in leaves in the background as well.

But all in all, like I said, for the price you can't go wrong.

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Ah! Newton’s rings, the slide projectionists worst nightmare! Well; next to cigarette smoke 😱 Thanks for all the info Jon.
All the best.
B.