Film Scanner Suggestions... under $200

[Wil_Bloodworth]

My dad is looking to move some of his old (35mm) film negatives to digital and asked me about film scanners... which I know next to nothing about. I have one but it's a cheap CanoScan 8600F.

He is asking about the Epson V500 which is 6400 DPI, 48 DPI, and 3.4 DMax (I believe).

Anyone know anything about this scanner or have any better suggestions?

Thank you,

- Wil

[venchka]

You get what you pay for. I haven't used that model. I have used a 4990 & I own a 1680. the 6400 DPI is wishful thinking and not even neccessary. 2000 DPI is closer to the truth and fine even for prints.

If the Canon scans film give it a shot. It's paid for.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

The Canon is mine and he lives 3 hours from me so that's not an option. I haven't really had the greatest of luck with mine but, like you said, you get what you pay for and I only paid like $75 or so for mine.

- Wil

[cooltouch]

I'll basically just say ditto to what Wayne wrote. Flatbed scanner manufacturers' claimed resolutions are wildly inflated. My Epson 4990 has a claimed 4800 ppi max resolution, but its tested resolution is closer to 2000 ppi. Expect similar results with the V600. For 35mm slides and strip film, it does an acceptable job, but the images will not be critically sharp.

Another option is to go with a dedicated film scanner. I have an HP S20 that a forum member here gave to me that scans at about 2400 ppi, and does a decent job. It handles 35mm slides and strip film, as well as up to 4x6 prints. I've seen the S20s go for cheap on eBay.

One series of dedicated film scanners that I've been eyeing lately is the 7200 ppi series of film scanners made by Plustek. I'm assuming that their claimed resolution is inflated as well, but it could be that their actual output may be quite a bit higher than you can get with any $200 flatbed, and that's about what they sell for.

If your dad has a DSLR with a decent megapixel count, another option is to go with a duplicator that attaches to the front of a lens. There's one made by Bower that takes slides and strip film. The basic unit sells for about $55, and another $8 or so for the strip film holder. I have one of these too, and it actually produces quite good images -- noticeably better than the 4990. But it's fiddly to use: it has to be adjusted after the lens focuses if the front element of your lens turns. For my Canon APS-C crop body, it also requires a focal length of just a bit less than 70mm, so I have to use a zoom.

I got tired of the fiddly nature of my duplicator rig, so I removed the optical element, and attached it to a 55mm f/3.5 Micro Nikkor with a short extension tube to get 1:1 dupes. I have to use Live View with manual focus, but this works better than any other method I've tried so far for producing the best quality images from 35mm.

[linque]

I have an Epson v700 Photo scanner and absolutely love it...when I have hours and hours set aside to actually scan. It's a wonderful scanner for film (color & bw), as well as slides, but the amount of time required to scan, clean (dust & scratches), and do post processing is ridiculous. If your dad has lots of spare time, I would recommend he look at the v700.

Another alternative is to send them off to ScanCafe. It can get a little pricey if he has lots to scan, however, you can get 20% your first order by using the code "focus". It's a discount code offered to listeners of Photofocus. I've not used them personally, but after scanning about 100 old slides my dad gave me, and 50 b&w negatives I took back in the film days, I really considered sending them in.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the prompt and detailed answers.

- Wil

[groovyone]

I use a Canon 8800F and it does a good job. It included two different film holders, and I have used it for 35mm and 126 film.

Thanks for the dpi tip, Wayne. I had been doing 6400 but it seemed like a waste and looked terrible full size.

[Carl Stone]

My choice would be another dedicated film scanner, YMMV. Since I no longer shoot film very often, I traded off my Minolta scanner because it was just gathering dust. The guy that got it was blown away at the results it gives over the flatbed scanner that he had been using.

The $200 limit could be a factor in also limiting the results you can expect.

[studiocygnet]

I've got two scanners, a 35mm Nikon Coolscan V, and an Epson flatbed. I only use the flatbed for medium format negs, as the dedicated Nikon is not only better quality, but much easier to use than the flatbeds. And you won't get a V700 flatbed for $200. If your dad is strictly doing 35mm stuff, I would look for a used Minolta, I'm sure there are some out there. I had one and gave it away when I got my Nikon. I switched over to the Nikon because it is Firewire, and a lot faster. But the old Minolta IQ was as good as my newer Nikon, just a lot slower.