Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Computers & Peripherals => Topic started by: allenbirnbach on April 13, 2009, 08:02:52 am
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I friend called me and asked for a recommendation for a scanner. He's an amateur, but shoots a lot of travel imagery. He's looking for a way to get his legacy files into the computer primarily for small prints, and email capability, but he is looking for quality. His work is primarily in slide film. I don't think he wants to go for the expense of a Nikon 5000. Any recommendations of current machines would be appreciated.
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For what he wants, a slide copying attachment would work as well as anything else. May take a bit of setting up but once done, will work quickly with no additional equipment than his digital camera.
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I am looking for a 35mm film scanner as well. However, I need it for professional use, but I hope it's okay to use this thread anyway. I'm not looking for the absolute top of the line, but something reasonably price with reasonable quality. So, I wonder if anyone can recommend a good scanner, in the sub-$1000 price range. Of course, if it can scan medium format it would be a great bonus, but judging from the limited research I have made, I think that's not an option in that price range.
Also, I wonder how flatbed scanners compare to real film scanners. Using a flatbed would let me scan medium format as well, but with what loss of qualty?
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For both cases, I would think an Epson Perfection V700 (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63056499) or Perfection V750-M (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63056500) scanner would fill the bill. I would have suggested Microtek, but they seem to have faded into the background noise.
For really good results, I'd go with the Nikon 9000 (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Film-Scanners/9237/Super-COOLSCAN-9000-ED.html) but that might be over-kill.
For stunning and excellent, the Imacons (http://www.hasselbladusa.com/products/scanners.aspx) are beatable only by a true drum scanner.
Walt
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I'm using a V750 at the moment because it is about the only game in town available new - and second hand Nikons have sky rocketed. It's ok with the film holders. It's good with the fluid mount adaptor. Siverfast is a nightmare though. I think an FF DSLR with macro lens/decent slide copier might at this stage be better quality wise - and certainly from a file size/manipulation point of view.
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I've just acquired a Minolta Dimage Multi Pro which covers 35mm - 6x9.
Awesome quality all the way through
Seen a few on Ebay at c. US$1500
I also use a V700 with the Betterscan MF holders which does a superlative job on MF but just doesn't cut the cake on 35mm.
How about a Konica Minolta 5400 11? Awesome Dmax and reputedly the best for 35mm ONLY
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How about a Konica Minolta 5400 11? Awesome Dmax and reputedly the best for 35mm ONLY
I have a 9000 and a DSE 5400. I kept the 5400 for two reasons: the increased resolution (5400 vs. 4000ppi) is worthwhile for sharp, slow 35mm films , e.g. K25 or KII if you're really old) and the Minolta is much better than the Nikon with Kodachrome if ICE is used. The Nikon produces a sort of worm track pattern that is absent in the 5400 scans. The Minolta is slow and really should be manually focused so I use it only for slides when I want the best quality short of a drum scan.
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Many of the current top of the line flatbeds can produce some very good results. If a dedicated, inexpensive film (35mm) scanner is preferred, the Canon FS4000 might fit the bill for you. They should be available new and used for a reasonable price.
Dave