Need recomendation for a decent 35MM /MF film scan

[hassiman]

Hello,

I am looking for a film scanner to scan my 35mm and 6X6 color and B&W negs and transparancies.  I would like high resolution and a good d-max.

I don't have a lot to spend, so I have been considering the Epson V-700, the Microtek i800/i900 as well as the new HP scanjet 8500g flatbeds.  I have also been considering a Nikon Supercoolscan 9000.

I was wondering if any of you have tried any of the machines and could give me some advice as to which I should buy.  I am using a MacPro with OSX and CS2.

It seems the more I read the more confusing it gets.... The included software... the negative carriers.  I wish I cloud try them out before I buy... but I can't.

What's your opinion of these items... have any of you used them?

Is there another unit I should be considering?

Any good?

Thanks,

Rich

[Ray]

If you are after high resolution and high D-Max for scanning film, the advice has always been to get a dedicated film scanner rather than a flatbed. Epson keep coming out with new models of flatbeds with very impressive specs. Their latest Perfection V750-M Pro with an optical resolution of 6400 dpi sounds mouth-watering but I doubt the results with film would be as good as the Nikon 9000 can produce. Dynamic range seems to be generally the weak point with flatbeds, despite the impressive specs.

[hassiman]

If you are after high resolution and high D-Max for scanning film, the advice has always been to get a dedicated film scanner rather than a flatbed. Epson keep coming out with new models of flatbeds with very impressive specs. Their latest Perfection V750-M Pro with an optical resolution of 6400 dpi sounds mouth-watering but I doubt the results with film would be as good as the Nikon 9000 can produce. Dynamic range seems to be generally the weak point with flatbeds, despite the impressive specs.
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I have heard that the new Wundekind of flatbed/film scanners is the new Microtek M1 which is supposed to surpass the Nikon 9000 for only $800.  Due out in Feb 2007.  Maybe I can wait a few more months to see.  Will supposedly scan those huge MF panoramic negs...

[Greg_E]

The press release sure reads like it is great, but then again so does the Epson press release... I hope it really is a better machine, if so then I might buy one since it sure is cheaper than a Nikon 9000 at the suggested price of $699 USD.

Independant (non scientific) testing of the Epson v700 and v750 found that the real film resolution was still only around 2400-2500ppi, which is what prevented me from buying it. It did get me to buy a really cheap old Scanview Scanmate 3000 drum scanner that I'm working on cleaning up and getting running. However having a quick and good dry film scanner would be great, and then the ability to scan reflective art up to US Legal size would be nice too.

[RonBoyd]

I am looking for a film scanner to scan my 35mm and 6X6 color and B&W negs and transparancies.  I would like high resolution and a good d-max.
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Rich,

I am very pleased with my Microtek i900. See review at

[a href=\"http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN/MI9/MI9.HTM]http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN/MI9/MI9.HTM[/url]

The biggest problem with flattop scanners is the scanning of film through that pesky sheet of glass. The i900 (and related) get around this with a separate "chamber" for film scanning so the image is scanned directly.

So, in effect, you do not need two scanners -- one for film and another for all other scanning.

Ron