Which film scanner to buy?

I have1000s of old film negatives b/w + colour and need help choosing a film scanner of good quality which is easy to use. What’s your recommendation?
RMW487.

RMW487 said:

I have1000s of old film negatives b/w + colour and need help choosing a film scanner of good quality which is easy to use. What’s your recommendation?
RMW487.

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Hello RMW487!

The Minolta Scan Elite II is a scanner that will do what you need a scanner to do, and it will do a good job at it as well. And it is an easy scanner to use.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN/DSEII/DSEIIA.HTM

You can get the scanner to work in Windows Vista and Windows 7 if you follow these instructions:

http://www.frisno.com/2009/11/konica-minolta-dimage-scan-dual-iv-works-in-vista/

This fix is said to work with every Minolta scanner that works in Windows XP.

Good luck!

Regards

RMW487 said:

I have1000s of old film negatives b/w + colour and need help choosing a film scanner of good quality which is easy to use. What’s your recommendation?

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This is like saying you want to take 1000's of photos: which camera to buy? Not enough info. For example, what film sizes & formats? What quality do you want? What budget?

Common options:

1. Use a scanning service: scanning is very time consuming (20-30 frames per hour is typical) and film strip handling is not very automated.

2. Buy a dedicated film scanner. Some reviews here

http://www.filmscanner.info/en/FilmscannerTestberichte.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN1.HTM

In general flatbeds are cheaper but not as good as dedicated scanners (except the cheapest). Flatbeds handle odd film sizes (e.g., 127, 126, or 110) easier than dedicated scanners. Also in general, price and output quality are highly correlated.

3. Use your digital camera and an adapter. Works better for slides than color negatives but even color neg can be done.

--
Erik

What is the end use of these scans? Large prints for sale? Large prints for home use? Maximum 8x10 prints? 4x6 prints?

Or no prints and just computer screen use and web sharing? The answer will help dictate which type of scanner you buy and how much time will be involved.
--
http://www.photographybyhoy.com
http://www.facebook.com/Photography.by.Hoy
http://roberthoy.zenfolio.com/

Hi, I was in the same situation a few years back and went for the Epson V700. I am retired so time has not been critical

Since then I have scanned over 1000 rolls of film - mostly Colour Neg with about 100 B&W and am currently working on slides. Along the way I have done 100's of older family photo's, certificates, etc. I thought initially that I would need higher quality scans but so far it has not been required.

I have found the capabilities of the V700 excellent with no quibbles at this stage - except that one of the film strip holders broke but the replacement was not expensive.

You will need to consider the work flow down stream from the scanning process, ie ...

Computer - able to handle your photo editor. photo editor - I am using Lightroom
HD storage - running and backup I have > 4TB of photo storage.

A side advantage has been that all the shoe boxes of negs, etc have been combined under a common numbering system so I can track down a previously scanned item quickly. Allan

Thanks everyone for your input.
I've just ordered the Epson v700 which I'm sure will meet my needs.
RMW487.

B&H doesn't list it.

clear glass said:

B&H doesn't list it.

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I saw it on B&H's site a couple of days ago, although I recently ordered one from Amazon.

RMW487 said:

Thanks everyone for your input.
I've just ordered the Epson v700 which I'm sure will meet my needs.
RMW487.

Click to expand...

Strange that you "order" a scanner a day after posting a question "which one to buy?" without even participating in the discussion or giving what you'll be doing with the scans.

RedFox88 said:

RMW487 said:

Thanks everyone for your input.
I've just ordered the Epson v700 which I'm sure will meet my needs.
RMW487.

Click to expand...

Strange that you "order" a scanner a day after posting a question "which one to buy?" without even participating in the discussion or giving what you'll be doing with the scans.

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Quite a few requests for info are posted when a person is ready to buy, NOW. Often it doesn't take a lot to influence that purchase decision, especially if the poster is not very technical or have sophisticated requirements. I, on the other hand, tend to over think such acquisitions & may over complicate the process. I do this to reduce the possibility of buyers remorse & I have been successful for the most part. Actually, I kinda admire those who can just make a purchase that looks good, without agonizing with details, & move on & be happy with their purchase. That is assuming that the product serves the purpose.

Cheers,
kev
--
'It ain't what they call you that's important, It's what you answer to!'

RedFox88 wrote:
RMW487 wrote:
Thanks everyone for your input.
I've just ordered the Epson v700 which I'm sure will meet my needs.
RMW487.

Strange that you "order" a scanner a day after posting a question "which one to buy?" without even participating in the discussion or giving what you'll be doing with the scans.

Quite a few requests for info are posted when a person is ready to buy, NOW. Often it doesn't take a lot to influence that purchase decision, especially if the poster is not very technical or have sophisticated requirements. I, on the other hand, tend to over think such acquisitions & may over complicate the process. I do this to reduce the possibility of buyers remorse & I have been successful for the most part. Actually, I kinda admire those who can just make a purchase that looks good, without agonizing with details, & move on & be happy with their purchase. That is assuming that the product serves the purpose.
Cheers,
kev
.
REPLY---

Two people on Dpreview pointed me to the Epson 700 scanner. I then checked buyer reviews on it and found most buyers gave it 5 out of 5. It will do all I need and also copy old photographs which is a bonus for me.

As for buying rather quickly, when I find something that fits the bill I get on with it.
RMW487.

RMW487 said:

Two people on Dpreview pointed me to the Epson 700 scanner. I then checked buyer reviews on it and found most buyers gave it 5 out of 5. It will do all I need and also copy old photographs which is a bonus for me.

As for buying rather quickly, when I find something that fits the bill I get on with it.

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If you search DPReview, you'll find that there have been a lot of threads recently about choosing scanners. Even though I chose a different method (shooting slides with a DSLR + macro lens + slide mounting device), if you had read all the threads on scanning, you would have probably have arrived at the same conclusion: it is difficult to beat the V700.

IMO, you made a wise choice with the V700. However, it is worthwhile to search the threads on scanning (on DPReview and elsewhere), because there are a lot of useful tips on how to scan effectively.

Wayne

RMW487 said:

RedFox88 wrote:
RMW487 wrote:
Thanks everyone for your input.
I've just ordered the Epson v700 which I'm sure will meet my needs.
RMW487.

Strange that you "order" a scanner a day after posting a question "which one to buy?" without even participating in the discussion or giving what you'll be doing with the scans.

Quite a few requests for info are posted when a person is ready to buy, NOW. Often it doesn't take a lot to influence that purchase decision, especially if the poster is not very technical or have sophisticated requirements. I, on the other hand, tend to over think such acquisitions & may over complicate the process. I do this to reduce the possibility of buyers remorse & I have been successful for the most part. Actually, I kinda admire those who can just make a purchase that looks good, without agonizing with details, & move on & be happy with their purchase. That is assuming that the product serves the purpose.
Cheers,
kev
.
REPLY---

Two people on Dpreview pointed me to the Epson 700 scanner. I then checked buyer reviews on it and found most buyers gave it 5 out of 5. It will do all I need and also copy old photographs which is a bonus for me.

Click to expand...

Wow, just 2 people mentioned it and you then bought it? Keep in mind that not all information, or people, on the internet are trustworthy or even giving valid information. And I usually put very little weight into "user reviews" and star ratings when considering buying something.

RMW487 said:

As for buying rather quickly, when I find something that fits the bill I get on with it.

Click to expand...

So it sounds like about the same as going into an electronics store and asking a salesman which scanner to buy and you buy it I guess.

...you never mentioned what size of film you were scanning, or what type of output you wanted.

If you're scanning 35mm to produce 20x30 prints, then the V700 is a poor choice. If the film is MF to produce 8x10 prints, then it's fine.

More information was needed before anyone could make a valid recommendation. So really, it sounds more like you acted on advice that wasn't really informed.

Wayne Larmon said:

RMW487 said:

Two people on Dpreview pointed me to the Epson 700 scanner. I then checked buyer reviews on it and found most buyers gave it 5 out of 5. It will do all I need and also copy old photographs which is a bonus for me.

As for buying rather quickly, when I find something that fits the bill I get on with it.

Click to expand...

If you search DPReview, you'll find that there have been a lot of threads recently about choosing scanners. Even though I chose a different method (shooting slides with a DSLR + macro lens + slide mounting device), if you had read all the threads on scanning, you would have probably have arrived at the same conclusion: it is difficult to beat the V700.

IMO, you made a wise choice with the V700. However, it is worthwhile to search the threads on scanning (on DPReview and elsewhere), because there are a lot of useful tips on how to scan effectively.

Wayne

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I'm curious how it's a wise choice. What size of film is he scanning? What type of output is required?

How can one say it's a wise choice without knowing the requirements?

Put Plustek Opticfilm 7300 in your seach engine and see what it throws back !

Bought mine three years ago and have processed hundreds of 35 mm slides into digital doo . Its suposed to do negs as well but I hav'nt got round to them yet !
--
Roygbiv

Mr Roygbiv rainbow said:

Put Plustek Opticfilm 7300 in your seach engine and see what it throws back !

Bought mine three years ago and have processed hundreds of 35 mm slides into digital doo . Its suposed to do negs as well but I hav'nt got round to them yet !
--
Roygbiv

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The Plustek is great. But my point was we needed more info. The Plustek won't do him much good if all the negs are MF.

Faintandfuzzy said:

...you never mentioned what size of film you were scanning, or what type of output you wanted.

If you're scanning 35mm to produce 20x30 prints, then the V700 is a poor choice. If the film is MF to produce 8x10 prints, then it's fine.

Click to expand...

Why - and exactly what experience do you have to back this up?

Faintandfuzzy said:

More information was needed before anyone could make a valid recommendation. So really, it sounds more like you acted on advice that wasn't really informed.

Click to expand...

...and why are you (and the 'RedFox' guy) so concerned - that's even stranger.

As it happens 'RMW487' has actually made a good choice - and will soon have the ability to scan slides, film strips, 35mm, medium and large formats, and of course prints. Up to 12 slides, 24 negatives (35mm format) in one hit, including 'Digital ICE'.

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%20V700/page_18.htm

http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN/V700/V700.HTM#con

I think you've made a good choice.

Here are two fairly detailed reviews, which you might find usefull to read up on (particularly re the mount 'height adjusters').

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%20V700/page_1.htm

Conclusion: "The Epson Perfection V700 Photo is without question the best flatbed scanner I have ever reviewed, I am amazed at the quality of scans. If the V750 performs better, then Epson will surely have put the final nail in the coffin for the dedicated film scanner. "

http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN/V700/V700.HTM

Conclusion: "And yet this scanner can undeniably handle the demands of film. As we said a few thousand words ago, it handled everything we threw at it. Which defines state of the art and explains why we've had no problem recommending it to anyone who has asked what's the best scanner to buy."

To put things into perspective I only required a starting point. Minolta was mentioned but I quickly ruled that out as not for me. Epson on the other hand is a company I have purchased items from and have been happy with their products. Research on the internet provided information that the Epson V 700 had the versatility better suited to my needs and the down loaded sample images looked fine to me. So it was not a snap decision rather if the cap fits wear it.
Once again thanks to the guys pointing out the Epson V 700.
RMW487.