Scanner recommendations for nearly 2 decades of family 35mm film

[CynthiaM]

Looking to get recommendations for a scanner to use for nearly 2 decades of 35mm negatives.  This is not high end work.  These images were taken long before I knew what to do with an slr other than to put it in program or automatic mode and click the shutter.  Many were taken with a 35 mm point and shoot to which I regressed when the kids came along because frankly, on our many trips to Disney World (you go there a lot when you live in South Florida) it was easier to juggle a toddler in one arm and take pictures of whatever was passing by with the other.  Doubtful that I or anyone would want to print any of these larger than 4x6; maybe an occasional 8x10.  And in the event I should stumble upon what I think will be an award winning iconic photograph (can you hear the sarcasm) then if necessary, I will pay to get a better scan!  We're talking birthday parties, school programs, Halloween, family vacations and celebrations, etc. I mainly want to get these in a format that my kids can enjoy; digital. I know I can send them out to a place like Scancafe but kind of looking forward to the labor of love and the trip down memory lane.

I have an Epson v600 which I bought primarily for scan art but lately have been using for prints.  Have fooled around with some negative scanning using the Epson and the demo of Silverfast.  Prefer the later; seems to do a better job of ridding the scratches, etc without taking a hit in sharpening.

Debating between the Plustek 8200ai and the Epson v800 or 850.  The Epson would be more expensive but I like the idea of being able to batch scan 18 negatives at a time.  Does anyone know if you can batch scan the tray of 6 on the Plustek or are you feeding that thing one negative at a time which would be a real deal breaker.  I understand that the Plustek may render a "better" scan but is it going to be noticeable given my needs?

Your thoughts and opinions will be appreciated.
Regards,
Cynthia

[tom b]

I copied all my old negs and slides with a Nikon Coolpix 950 and a slide copy adapter. It is based on something that a lot of old pros will know. If you want something quick and easy this may be the route to go. A link to get you thinking.

Cheers,

[Chris Kern]

Debating between the Plustek 8200ai and the Epson v800 or 850.  The Epson would be more expensive but I like the idea of being able to batch scan 18 negatives at a time.  Does anyone know if you can batch scan the tray of 6 on the Plustek or are you feeding that thing one negative at a time which would be a real deal breaker.

The Plustek OpticFilm scanners are one-frame-at-a-time devices; you push the film holder manually to move from frame to frame.  If you want to scan all the photos, the 8200ai probably is not a good fit for your requirements.

[digitaldog]

http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=102247.0
Jump on this, you might get an Imacon (which WILL blow the doors off the Epson) for $1400.

[Mark D Segal]

Cynthia: You may wish to check my previous articles on this website: https://luminous-landscape.com/epson-v850-pro-scanner-context/; https://luminous-landscape.com/plustek-optic-film-7600i-ai-film-scanner-review-pdf/ (not much difference between the Plustek 7600 and 8200; https://luminous-landscape.com/scannerless-digital-capture-and-processing-of-negative-film-photographs/ (two approaches for using a camera instead of a scanner). A lot of reading in all this, but you will be well-informed of your options.

Bottom line: If your primary concern is to have decent scans in a comparatively high-productivity workflow, the Epson V850 combined with SilverFast's batch scanning capabilities would fit these priorities. If you are after the best quality for making big enlargements, nothing beats the Imacon.

[BradSmith]

In addition to the method described in the article that Mark Segal wrote about photographing your negatives as a way of getting your digital file, there is another option....Send all your negatives to Scan Cafe and let their staff in India scan them, negative by negative.  http://www.scancafe.com/  $0.22 per negative, you can have them not deliver, and not pay for up to 20% of what you send them, and you get back 3000 dpi scans.

Scanning hundreds (maybe thousands??) of color neg film strips in bulk, on a flatbed scanner is an unbelievably slow, dull, slow, boring, slow process that when done in bulk, yields pretty crappy results.  If they are loose, you have to load them strip by strip by strip into the film strip holder before scanning.  Then take them out and put them away again.    Or, if you had them in Print File polyethylene Negative pages (8"x11"), you have to place them on the scanner under a sheet a glass.   With the Scan Cafe scans, you'd see if their scans show anything that you want to print and if so, print to the small size you mentioned from their scan.   If you're unhappy with the print from their scan, you can then properly scan that ONE negative on the scanner of your choice, and print again.

Something to at least consider.

Brad

 

[graeme]

In addition to the method described in the article that Mark Segal wrote about photographing your negatives as a way of getting your digital file, there is another option....Send all your negatives to Scan Cafe and let their staff in India scan them, negative by negative.  http://www.scancafe.com/  $0.22 per negative, you can have them not deliver, and not pay for up to 20% of what you send them, and you get back 3000 dpi scans.

Scanning hundreds (maybe thousands??) of color neg film strips in bulk, on a flatbed scanner is an unbelievably slow, dull, slow, boring, slow process that when done in bulk, yields pretty crappy results.  If they are loose, you have to load them strip by strip by strip into the film strip holder before scanning.  Then take them out and put them away again.    Or, if you had them in Print File polyethylene Negative pages (8"x11"), you have to place them on the scanner under a sheet a glass.   With the Scan Cafe scans, you'd see if their scans show anything that you want to print and if so, print to the small size you mentioned from their scan.   If you're unhappy with the print from their scan, you can then properly scan that ONE negative on the scanner of your choice, and print again.

Something to at least consider.

Brad

 

+1.

I scanned over 1300 of my partner's Grandad's family pictures from slides ( 4 at a time on a Minolta slide / film scanner using VueScan software ).

Never, never, never again.

The 3000dpi scans that Brad mentions should be fine for the size of print you mention. You should be OK for up to A4 / 8 x 10" prints. As you say, if you find some real gems among the images you can pay for higher quality scans.

Good luck.

Graeme

[Ken Bennett]

Thanks for the ScanCafe link. I spent several days starting on my wife's family photos going back more than a century. Ugh. This looks like a much better idea (though I won't send the oldest photos, those few I can do myself.)

[Mark D Segal]

In addition to the method described in the article that Mark Segal wrote about photographing your negatives as a way of getting your digital file, there is another option....Send all your negatives to Scan Cafe and let their staff in India scan them, negative by negative.  http://www.scancafe.com/  $0.22 per negative, you can have them not deliver, and not pay for up to 20% of what you send them, and you get back 3000 dpi scans.

Scanning hundreds (maybe thousands??) of color neg film strips in bulk, on a flatbed scanner is an unbelievably slow, dull, slow, boring, slow process that when done in bulk, yields pretty crappy results.  If they are loose, you have to load them strip by strip by strip into the film strip holder before scanning.  Then take them out and put them away again.    Or, if you had them in Print File polyethylene Negative pages (8"x11"), you have to place them on the scanner under a sheet a glass.   With the Scan Cafe scans, you'd see if their scans show anything that you want to print and if so, print to the small size you mentioned from their scan.   If you're unhappy with the print from their scan, you can then properly scan that ONE negative on the scanner of your choice, and print again.

Something to at least consider.

Brad

 

Yes it is something to consider. I have seen the quality of results from ScanCafe and it's pretty good. That said, there are people who refuse to send their films anywhere out of their houses for fear of loss; however, from what I've read and heard, it would appear the risk is very low. Everything is tracked and the price is reasonable.

Whether or not scanning on a flatbed (or any other scanner) is an unbelievably dull, slow, boring process, however depends on what you are doing with which scanner. I have described in some detail on pages 28 to 32 of my Epson V850 review above referenced how to batch scan film in the Epson V850 with SilverFast 8 Ai (after having tested it extensively). The test I reported on produced 90MB files (360 PPI output resolution for 6*9 inch linear dimensions, 16-bit depth) of each of 12 slides in 15 minutes total for the 12, during which time the operator can be doing other things, because the process is automated. So the actual use of focused time on this is very little; even setting it up is fast given the automated frame-finding, file numbering and settings transfer and you do not need to babysit the scanner while it is processing. The Epson V850 (as well as other scanners with infra-red channel capability) also supports SilverFast's automated scratch and dust removal tool, which works very well - when properly set - without degrading the image. Especially for the size of prints the O/P wants, the Epson V850 should be expected to produce the kind of quality we demonstrated extensively and comparatively in the article. Whether it is sufficient is a subjective matter that would vary from user to user depending on his her sense of adequacy and requirements. SilverFast's profiles for inverting negatives are on the whole very good, recognizing that this is not an exact science and some adjustment of photos from negatives is usually necessary. One other aspect of image quality that deserves noting here is the question of edge-to-edge sharpness. The only scanner I know of that does this immaculately is the Imacon, because of its unique carrier and film transport design. It can also do batch scanning, but you're looking at many thousands of dollars, unless the link Andrew provided is a really good deal. More information is needed to evaluate that, undoubtedly available from the seller.

[AFairley]

With all respect to Mark (who surely has earned it on the subject), IMO scanning on any type of scanner is an unbelievably slow, dull, slow, boring, slow process (unless one has entered into some sort of timeless Zen state).   

[Mark D Segal]

With all respect to Mark (who surely has earned it on the subject), IMO scanning on any type of scanner is an unbelievably slow, dull, slow, boring, slow process (unless one has entered into some sort of timeless Zen state).   

Thanks Alan - and yes, it can be "unexciting"; I'm sure you understand though, I was just explaining how to minimize the drudgery. But maybe in general some "timeless Zen" wouldn't be too bad a thing after all! :-) And lest we give scanning too bad a wrap, personally I take some satisfaction in the challenge of trying to continuously improve the outcomes. But yes, there is a point beyond which...............

[CynthiaM]

I copied all my old negs and slides with a Nikon Coolpix 950 and a slide copy adapter. It is based on something that a lot of old pros will know. If you want something quick and easy this may be the route to go. A link to get you thinking.

Cheers,

Thanks, Tom,for the recommendation but if I were to do this, I prefer a method that can batch scan and also do some of the getting rid of scratches.

[CynthiaM]

The Plustek OpticFilm scanners are one-frame-at-a-time devices; you push the film holder manually to move from frame to frame.  If you want to scan all the photos, the 8200ai probably is not a good fit for your requirements.

One frame at a time is definitely a deal breaker. Too bad it doesn't feed all the negatives at once.

[CynthiaM]

http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=102247.0
Jump on this, you might get an Imacon (which WILL blow the doors off the Epson) for $1400.

I'm sure this would produce a beautiful scan but I think it might be overkill for my needs.  But thanks for the response.

[CynthiaM]

Cynthia: You may wish to check my previous articles on this website: https://luminous-landscape.com/epson-v850-pro-scanner-context/; https://luminous-landscape.com/plustek-optic-film-7600i-ai-film-scanner-review-pdf/ (not much difference between the Plustek 7600 and 8200; https://luminous-landscape.com/scannerless-digital-capture-and-processing-of-negative-film-photographs/ (two approaches for using a camera instead of a scanner). A lot of reading in all this, but you will be well-informed of your options.

Bottom line: If your primary concern is to have decent scans in a comparatively high-productivity workflow, the Epson V850 combined with SilverFast's batch scanning capabilities would fit these priorities. If you are after the best quality for making big enlargements, nothing beats the Imacon.

I've looked at these articles and I'm sure if I go the Epson route, I will be referring to them again.  Thanks.

[CynthiaM]

In addition to the method described in the article that Mark Segal wrote about photographing your negatives as a way of getting your digital file, there is another option....Send all your negatives to Scan Cafe and let their staff in India scan them, negative by negative.  http://www.scancafe.com/  $0.22 per negative, you can have them not deliver, and not pay for up to 20% of what you send them, and you get back 3000 dpi scans.

Scanning hundreds (maybe thousands??) of color neg film strips in bulk, on a flatbed scanner is an unbelievably slow, dull, slow, boring, slow process that when done in bulk, yields pretty crappy results.  If they are loose, you have to load them strip by strip by strip into the film strip holder before scanning.  Then take them out and put them away again.    Or, if you had them in Print File polyethylene Negative pages (8"x11"), you have to place them on the scanner under a sheet a glass.   With the Scan Cafe scans, you'd see if their scans show anything that you want to print and if so, print to the small size you mentioned from their scan.   If you're unhappy with the print from their scan, you can then properly scan that ONE negative on the scanner of your choice, and print again.

Something to at least consider.

Brad

I'm aware of Scancafe and still considering it. Had a whole bunch ready to ship out to them but got antsy; fearful that they would get lost in the shuffle.  I know its unlikely but if it happens to you, you could kick yourself in the derriere

 

[CynthiaM]

With all respect to Mark (who surely has earned it on the subject), IMO scanning on any type of scanner is an unbelievably slow, dull, slow, boring, slow process (unless one has entered into some sort of timeless Zen state).   

I have no doubt it would be tedious and laborious. Which is why I would want the option to batch. I could set it up, putter around with something else. I'm not expecting this to happen toute suite. If I get them done over the course of a year I will be thrilled.

[graeme]

If I get them done over the course of a year I will be thrilled.

That seems realistic.

[dave.phillips]

Hello all.Been browsing here for ages.

I`m getting near the end of scanning 30 years worth of 35mm negatives and slides and have thoroughly enjoyed the whole process.

I started out 5 years ago with a Minolta Scan Dual II and the bundled software which,though good,was slow so I bought Vuescan and have never looked back.

I now use it with a Minolta Scan Dual III.Resulting scans are around 30Mb .tifs.I then import into ACR and finish in CS4 ext.

Minolta scanners can be picked up for a reasonable sum on ebay which is where I got both mine.The SDIII I bought recently from someone on Oklahoma City.

A strip of four negs or slides takes about five minutes.I can do a whole film in 45 minutes.

[BradSmith]

I have no doubt it would be tedious and laborious. Which is why I would want the option to batch. I could set it up, putter around with something else. I'm not expecting this to happen toute suite. If I get them done over the course of a year I will be thrilled.

Cynthia,
How many images do you have that you want to scan? You never said how many.  That is really the critical issue.

My Epson 3200 Photo flatbed scanner holds 12 negatives in the negative holder.  To take the negs out of the PrintFile sleeve, load them into the holder, scan them, take them out of the neg holder and refile them in the sleeve takes about between 16 and 20 minutes.  (Handling them and getting them properly into the holder and then back into the sleeve is the most annoying part of the process). Bottom line - for me, about 1.5 minutes per negative.  Other folks can probably do this more quickly, given how many negs their holders will accept and how quickly they can batch or individually scan them.  But, it is 1.5 minutes for me.   I have 270 rolls of 36 exposures in my "archive" from 25 plus or minus years of shooting negative film during the family years.  So 270 X 36 X 1.5 minutes = 14,580 minutes or 243 hours.   That is DRUDGERY!  The few brain cells I have left would die!!

Scan Cafe will charge me $0.22 per negative and I'd discard the allowed 20%, so my cost would end up being about $1700 for about 8,000 scans.  Not an insignificant amount of $, but versus spending 6 consecutive weeks of 40 hours per week doing this, to me, that's an easy decision.  If I want to get digital files of these, then I"ll send them off to Scan Cafe.

Brad