I am wondering how scans of 35mm slides and other transparencies on the Epson V750 Pro scanner compare to those made on the Nikon LS5000. My questions are focused on issues of ghosting (at high contrast margins), shadow detail, sharpness, and speed, but other experiences are also welcomed!
Many Thanks,
Michael Morrison
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Michael,
I have owned various Nikon and an Imacon scanners. For 35mm slide film scanning I found the Epson V750 poor in comparison to my Nikon 5000. The V750 is cheap for a pro labelled scanner - you get what you pay for. I spent many hours trying to get the best performance out of the Epson V750 Pro scanner. Using various tray height adjustments and different manufacturers mounts (including pin registered types) the scans were no where near as sharp as the Nikon LS 5000. I owned a very sophisticated oil based 35mm ACT duping machine (sadly went to the tip!). From my extensive experience of copying slides immersed in oil I would expect Epson's oil mounting system to be able to hide some minor defects such as feint scratches in comparison to dry scanning. The UK version of the Epson V750 didn't include the oil based tray so I didn't have a chance to test it.
The Espon 750 Pro has a serious problem with high contrast slides; especially yellow against black. The 35mm outer film holders result in severe blooming - top left position triple ghosting appears to the left; top right tray position triple ghosting appear to the right. The centre tray positions result in blooming (but not triple ghosting) that is worse than the Nikon 5000. I reported the problem to Epson but it fell on deaf ears. Epson said that they were not aware of the issue, even though I reported it twice and sent sample images to highlight the problem. The replacement scanner suffered from identical problems. It is true to say that you will not see this with all types of images but it is unacceptable. Adding sharpening to make up for poor sharpness (as some reviewers suggest) is not my idea of optimum quality - you can't sharpen fine detail the scanner has failed to record! I returned the replacement V750 for a full refund.
If you apply ICE and multiple sample scanning, even low doses, forget the Epson as its painfully slow. On one occasion I drove down to the shops, and back (over 1 hour) and the scanner was still working away on the same 35mm image - in comparison the Nikon takes around 2 minutes per scan with ICE and Silverfast's MS (multi sampling). Whilst ICE technology is not perfect in any scanner the V750 caused more errors than the Nikon LS 5000, some ugly botched repairs. The benefit of the V750 is being able to load 12 slides and leave it running - however I can scan at least three times more slides in the same amount of time with the Nikon LS 5000 and to better quality standards, except that I have to spoon feed it of course.
For the best sharpness/resolution, the secret with scanners using AF systems is not to trust them and override the auto AF system by manually activating AF software options and repeating the AF procedure - similar to stabbing the AF button twice on a camera to make sure that the AF system has hit home.
Some users have suggested that the Epson V750 is a match for drum scanners, for 35mm it doesn't come close my LS5000, let alone a drum scan. An unintentional gain from the V750's softness, in comparison to Nikon LS series scanners, is less retouching, and less grain, but the downside is less resolution - grain can always be removed with high quality software such as Noise Ninja. The Nikon 5000 and 9000 employ completely different light sources, the 5000 a direct light source that picks up every defect and the Nikon LS 9000 a softer light source that is piped in from the side (not directly in line with the optics) and is therefore kinder to damaged slides - I thoroughly tested my LS8000 (same light source as 9000) against my 5000. The LS8000 is sharper than the Espon V750 Pro but not quite as sharp as the Nikon LS 5000.
See attached the sample images that I fortunately still have kicking around. Please ignore the quality of the scans as I have trashed the majority of the Epson 750 tests, they are only intended as a guide to sharpness and the V750's ghosting errors - the image has been lightened to highlight the ghosting defect. I accept that I could make the ghosting disappear with a curves move.