Film scanning-Canon 8800F vs. Epson V700

[Deepsouth]

I need to increase my film scanning resolution from my present 2400 dpi (Minolta Dimage II) to at least 4800. The Epson V700 seems well-regarded, but the Canon 8800F offers much the same _advertised_performance for about half the price.

Any experience/comments appreciated!

[TimG]

4800 seems like an arbitrary number - why do you think you need to go that "high"?

A flatbed is only as good as the software you use with it.  The Canon software is pretty basic.

If you're on the fence between the V700 and something else, you might want to consider the V750-M Pro as it is bundled with both Silverfast and Monaco EZColor.

Lots of folks will argue whether or not the Epson (or any other scanner for that matter) truly achieves/resolves 4800 (6400 with the hi-res lens).  I've found the file sizes when scanning 6x7 with Silverfast in 48 Bit Color (16-bit) at 4800 to be unwieldy (700MB!), and have seen little difference in a final print between a scan @ 3200 and one @ 4800.

What about a used dedicated film scanner like the Nikon V, 4000, 8000, or one of the current models - 5000 & 9000?

[Deepsouth]

4800 seems like an arbitrary number - why do you think you need to go that "high"?

A flatbed is only as good as the software you use with it.  The Canon software is pretty basic.

If you're on the fence between the V700 and something else, you might want to consider the V750-M Pro as it is bundled with both Silverfast and Monaco EZColor.

Lots of folks will argue whether or not the Epson (or any other scanner for that matter) truly achieves/resolves 4800 (6400 with the hi-res lens).  I've found the file sizes when scanning 6x7 with Silverfast in 48 Bit Color (16-bit) at 4800 to be unwieldy (700MB!), and have seen little difference in a final print between a scan @ 3200 and one @ 4800.

What about a used dedicated film scanner like the Nikon V, 4000, 8000, or one of the current models - 5000 & 9000?

Thanks Tim. Yes 4800 is arbritray. It is simply a target that seems to be well within the better flatbeds these days.  I use VueScan with my current Minolta and old HP flatbed.

Price is an object and I should have said so. My not-so-local hi-end imaging guy (100 miles each way) will make a raw scan at 4800 or higher for USD 1.95 each. Since I have about 100 pieces (negs and slides) that is USD 200 plus gas money. Also, all my stuff is 35 mm and much is old and not preserved as I'd like.  A used dedicated film scanner would have to be compatible with either Mac OS X or Win XP (I live in both worlds, but I cannot go back to former versions for one peripheral)

So, I need something better than 2400 but not anything above 4800, and an outside price of of USD 600.

Thanks again, and further thoughts welcome.

[TimG]

Thank you for providing a budget and a little background into your needs and current scanning situation.

The V700 should meet your needs.  Should you require something more robust, 100 miles for a hi-end scan (is it a drum?) isn't too far, IMHO.

The one issue you may find with the supplied 35mm holder is keeping the film flat.  This is an issue any flatbed, though.  If it does indeed prove to be an issue for you, you can have any frame shop cut you custom anti-glare glass to place inside the film holder to keep it flat.  I brought my 120/220 and 35mm strip carriers into my local Fast Frame, and they were able to cut glass inserts while I waited which fit inside the "curb" of the film holders.  Cost me all of $30 for 6 pieces of glass (4 for 35, 2 for 120/220) and the results have been impressive.

Vuescan is perfectly capable of creating quality scans.  I would suggest though that you consider eventually investing in a profiling solution for the scanner.  The profiles Epson ships with the V700 are junk compared to the standard profile supplied with Silverfast, and the custom profile I made using Monaco EZColor blows the doors off both of the manufacturers' profiles.  It makes a world of difference on emulsions which are historically difficult to scan, such as Velvia 50.