Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Digital Image Processing => Topic started by: professorgb on August 20, 2007, 09:24:10 pm

Title: scanner recommendations
Post by: professorgb on August 20, 2007, 09:24:10 pm

I'm honestly not sure if this is the right part of the forum for this question, but here goes.  I have a friend shooting 4x5 negatives, both B&W and color.  He definitely prefers wet process prints, but is concerned about having some sort of backup/archive for his work.  He has a few hundred or so negatives that he'd like to scan, but would rather not have a shop do the work.  He'd like to do it himself.  He's not concerned about top-flight quality, as he doesn't foresee much digital printing at this point.  He just needs quality backup.

So, what scanner would you recommend for less than $400?  Either a dedicated negative scanner or a standard flatbed with a negative holder and backlight would do, so long as the capture is of decent quality.

Any ideas?

Title: scanner recommendations
Post by: Doug Fisher on August 21, 2007, 09:05:37 am

>>So, what scanner would you recommend for less than $400?  <<

You don't have many choices in the price range.  I think the best value out there is a refurbished 4990 directly from Epson's online store.  Lately, it is been priced at just under $300 including shipping.  You might be able to find a Canon 9950F in that price range but the Canoscan software is a major downer in my opinion.  Nice hardware though...

Doug

Title: scanner recommendations
Post by: professorgb on August 23, 2007, 05:40:33 pm

Thanks, Doug.  I've heard these two recommended before.  I sent my friend to the Epson store, and he likely will buy that scanner.

Quote

>>So, what scanner would you recommend for less than $400?  <<

You don't have many choices in the price range.  I think the best value out there is a refurbished 4990 directly from Epson's online store.  Lately, it is been priced at just under $300 including shipping.  You might be able to find a Canon 9950F in that price range but the Canoscan software is a major downer in my opinion.  Nice hardware though...

Doug
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Title: scanner recommendations
Post by: arbito on August 23, 2007, 06:01:18 pm

Quote

Thanks, Doug.  I've heard these two recommended before.  I sent my friend to the Epson store, and he likely will buy that scanner.
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Although it may not be powerful enough. Epson just announced the V500 LED scanner. Sounds interesting.

[a href=\"http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/22/epson-intros-led-equipped-perfection-v500-flatbed-scanner/]Epson V500[/url]

More Info At Photography Blog (http://www.photographyblog.com/index.php/weblog/comments/epson_v500_photo_scanner/)

I'm not very savy when it comes to scanners.