Good scanners for scanning negatives and slides

I'm in the market to get a new scanner for scanning my negatives and slides.

Things that are important to me:

- Auto scratch touch up (I understand that some auto scratch touch up software softens the entire photo)

- Scans multiple images in one operation (e.g. I put several slides or negative strips in at once, press a single button and it scans all of them

What can others recommend?

The infrared dust/scratch removal works well, but not with traditional B&W film, or Kodachrome.

I've used Epson in the past -

trut_maluglist said:

I'm in the market to get a new scanner for scanning my negatives and slides.

Things that are important to me:

- Auto scratch touch up (I understand that some auto scratch touch up software softens the entire photo)

- Scans multiple images in one operation (e.g. I put several slides or negative strips in at once, press a single button and it scans all of them

What can others recommend?

Click to expand...

Re -- Auto scratch touch up: I assume you are referring to scanning functions that reduce scratches, blemishes, etc on the source Media. Most will have an effect on overall image sharpness and I find better (more controlled) results may be obtained using post processing. I use Photoshop for this.

Evidently you are just wanting to scan your negatives and slides with basically NO invested efforts for Pre Scan Adjustments which usually does NOT get the best final output of your scanned images.

Suggest you do some "home work" regarding "Pre Scan Adjustments" for each frame in the group to be scanned so to have better scanned images -- then you click to scan all frames un-attended for each frame to be scanned and saved to Hard Drive.

I prefer (and have) the Epson V700 Scanner and use the included Epson Scanning software for best results.

Hard to know what to recommend when you do not indicate what your output file needs are to be & what your knowledge level is? Eg. web use, small prints, large prints, jpegs, tiffs, multi use high res 16 bit files for future archiving, what color space will you be working in, will you be doing any future retouching, how much knowledge do you want to put into the process or to learn, how much time do you want to give to each scan?

What is your budget?

Cariboo said:

Hard to know what to recommend when you do not indicate what your output file needs are to be & what your knowledge level is? Eg. web use, small prints, large prints, jpegs, tiffs, multi use high res 16 bit files for future archiving, what color space will you be working in, will you be doing any future retouching, how much knowledge do you want to put into the process or to learn, how much time do you want to give to each scan?

What is your budget?

Click to expand...

Good questions.

I'd like the equivalent of a 6-10 MP digital photo.

jpeg is fine

Not sure what multi-use high res 16 bit means. Perhaps you could share with me what one gets with this feature.

Little or no retouching

I'd like to use just one setting for all photos rather than put much knowledge into each scan. If I need to fine tune anything, I'd prefer to take care of that down the road after I've completed the scan. In other words, I'm just looking for a quick assembly line process of digitizing my film and slides.

Time for each scan? I would hope it would scan a negative strip of four images in under 2-3 minutes.

Vernon D Rainwater said:

trut_maluglist said:

I'm in the market to get a new scanner for scanning my negatives and slides.

Things that are important to me:

- Auto scratch touch up (I understand that some auto scratch touch up software softens the entire photo)

- Scans multiple images in one operation (e.g. I put several slides or negative strips in at once, press a single button and it scans all of them

What can others recommend?

Click to expand...

Re -- Auto scratch touch up: I assume you are referring to scanning functions that reduce scratches, blemishes, etc on the source Media. Most will have an effect on overall image sharpness and I find better (more controlled) results may be obtained using post processing. I use Photoshop for this.

Evidently you are just wanting to scan your negatives and slides with basically NO invested efforts for Pre Scan Adjustments which usually does NOT get the best final output of your scanned images.

Suggest you do some "home work" regarding "Pre Scan Adjustments" for each frame in the group to be scanned so to have better scanned images -- then you click to scan all frames un-attended for each frame to be scanned and saved to Hard Drive.

I prefer (and have) the Epson V700 Scanner and use the included Epson Scanning software for best results.

--
Vernon...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Do you find that you need a separate adjustment for each negative in a strip of four? Or does one setting typically suffice?

I assume that the scratch reduction feature can be turned off/on as needed. Correct?

plain text said:

The infrared dust/scratch removal works well, but not with traditional B&W film, or Kodachrome.

I've used Epson in the past -

http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Perfect...&qid=1421792594&sr=8-1&keywords=Epson+scanner

Click to expand...

How many negatives can you scan in one operation with this scanner? And how long does it take to scan each negative?

Up to 12 35mm negatives a time. It's hard to be sure each frame will take - on my (older) 4490, it's 2-3 minutes per frame @ 4800 lpi, 16bpc. The auto exposure works well.

If your budget is tight, the V500 and V600 series Epson scanners will do a good job at significantly less cost. They can't batch scan as many items, but the results should be acceptable. However, if you have the $$, the V700 variants noted above are very nice indeed.

edispics said:

If your budget is tight, the V500 and V600 series Epson scanners will do a good job at significantly less cost. They can't batch scan as many items, but the results should be acceptable. However, if you have the $$, the V700 variants noted above are very nice indeed.

Click to expand...

Do the batch capabilities come into play when one jumps from V600 to V700? And when you say batch, do you mean being able to scan 4 negative image with one click vs. just one negative image with one click?

It's been up to 12 with most of these scanners for a long while now - here's the spec for the one I suggested;

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/...=ccceadgfekgmmelcfngcfkmdhjidfmh.0&cookies=no

The V500 and V600 series will scan 4 slides at a time or two strips of 6 35mm negs at a time, for a total of 12. That's half of what the V700 variants will do. You click once and all items are scanned in one batch. Before you scan you can set the adjustments for each slide/neg individually or you can just set the adjustments on auto and take what you get. The V700 will do 24 35mm negs or 12 35mm slides at a time.

trut_maluglist said:

Vernon D Rainwater said:

trut_maluglist said:

I'm in the market to get a new scanner for scanning my negatives and slides.

Things that are important to me:

- Auto scratch touch up (I understand that some auto scratch touch up software softens the entire photo)

- Scans multiple images in one operation (e.g. I put several slides or negative strips in at once, press a single button and it scans all of them

What can others recommend?

Click to expand...

Re -- Auto scratch touch up: I assume you are referring to scanning functions that reduce scratches, blemishes, etc on the source Media. Most will have an effect on overall image sharpness and I find better (more controlled) results may be obtained using post processing. I use Photoshop for this.

Evidently you are just wanting to scan your negatives and slides with basically NO invested efforts for Pre Scan Adjustments which usually does NOT get the best final output of your scanned images.

Suggest you do some "home work" regarding "Pre Scan Adjustments" for each frame in the group to be scanned so to have better scanned images -- then you click to scan all frames un-attended for each frame to be scanned and saved to Hard Drive.

I prefer (and have) the Epson V700 Scanner and use the included Epson Scanning software for best results.

--
Vernon...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Do you find that you need a separate adjustment for each negative in a strip of four? Or does one setting typically suffice?

I assume that the scratch reduction feature can be turned off/on as needed. Correct?

Click to expand...

YES -- just don't select to use that function (in the software I use).

My negatives are various types and sizes (35mm, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/4 x 3 1/4, 4 x 5, etc and have been maintained in quality condition using dust protection envelopes. Example: 4 strips of 6 frames each for 35mm Negatives for 24 frames/images. Adjustments can be varied from none, to only a few, most all, or all images depending on the variation of quality of the source images (negatives). Adjustments made at the pre-scan phase can be (for me) more accurate and effective at the closest operation to the actual source. This comparison is somewhat like an image being in focus, properly exposed, etc -- for a good image directly from the Camera.

However, I do NOT use the scanning software for sharpening. Remember, time invested in the overall scanning function is at best rather lengthy but little time (or none) will be saved by not doing Pre-Scan adjustments.

Also, Scanned images usually need post processing. Quality of the source media (Negatives, Slides, etc) regarding original Camera, Lens, Processing, plus how well the media has been cared for regarding dust and possible scratches, etc is also very important.

--
Vernon...

edispics said:

The V500 and V600 series will scan 4 slides at a time or two strips of 6 35mm negs at a time, for a total of 12. That's half of what the V700 variants will do. You click once and all items are scanned in one batch. Before you scan you can set the adjustments for each slide/neg individually or you can just set the adjustments on auto and take what you get. The V700 will do 24 35mm negs or 12 35mm slides at a time.

Click to expand...

Appears to be a logical overall description. Suggest you also view the specifications for each of the Models you may be considering. It will be time well spent.

I have scanned many thousands of Negatives (various sizes) and Slides. One thing that helped MOST with my progress was that I have two sets of all of the Media Holders which allows preparing the next group (cleaning, inserting, etc) while the previous group is scanning.

The other thing that helped was that I am retired and did most of my scanning projects during winter and bad weather periods and since I don't like to play (or work) outside in bad weather -- this helped -- [Grin]....

--
Vernon...

Vernon D Rainwater said:

trut_maluglist said:

Vernon D Rainwater said:

trut_maluglist said:

I'm in the market to get a new scanner for scanning my negatives and slides.

Things that are important to me:

- Auto scratch touch up (I understand that some auto scratch touch up software softens the entire photo)

- Scans multiple images in one operation (e.g. I put several slides or negative strips in at once, press a single button and it scans all of them

What can others recommend?

Click to expand...

Re -- Auto scratch touch up: I assume you are referring to scanning functions that reduce scratches, blemishes, etc on the source Media. Most will have an effect on overall image sharpness and I find better (more controlled) results may be obtained using post processing. I use Photoshop for this.

Evidently you are just wanting to scan your negatives and slides with basically NO invested efforts for Pre Scan Adjustments which usually does NOT get the best final output of your scanned images.

Suggest you do some "home work" regarding "Pre Scan Adjustments" for each frame in the group to be scanned so to have better scanned images -- then you click to scan all frames un-attended for each frame to be scanned and saved to Hard Drive.

I prefer (and have) the Epson V700 Scanner and use the included Epson Scanning software for best results.

--
Vernon...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Do you find that you need a separate adjustment for each negative in a strip of four? Or does one setting typically suffice?

I assume that the scratch reduction feature can be turned off/on as needed. Correct?

Click to expand...

YES -- just don't select to use that function (in the software I use).

My negatives are various types and sizes (35mm, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/4 x 3 1/4, 4 x 5, etc and have been maintained in quality condition using dust protection envelopes. Example: 4 strips of 6 frames each for 35mm Negatives for 24 frames/images. Adjustments can be varied from none, to only a few, most all, or all images depending on the variation of quality of the source images (negatives). Adjustments made at the pre-scan phase can be (for me) more accurate and effective at the closest operation to the actual source. This comparison is somewhat like an image being in focus, properly exposed, etc -- for a good image directly from the Camera.

However, I do NOT use the scanning software for sharpening. Remember, time invested in the overall scanning function is at best rather lengthy but little time (or none) will be saved by not doing Pre-Scan adjustments.

Also, Scanned images usually need post processing. Quality of the source media (Negatives, Slides, etc) regarding original Camera, Lens, Processing, plus how well the media has been cared for regarding dust and possible scratches, etc is also very important.

--
Vernon...

Click to expand...

I agree with all that Vernon has said. I've had a few 'cheap' scanners in the past, and a few months ago invested in an Epson V800, which is a slightly-modified version of the V700. It is the best investment I have made. I have a variety of image sizes, from 1/2 frame 35mm to 4"x5" negs. The V800 is great. I have a suspicion that the cheaper Epson scanners may give similar results, but with the V700/800 what you get is the ability to scan a wider variety of negative/slide sizes but--and perhaps more importantly--the ability to scan a greater number at each set-up. If you put a value on your own time, this function alone can pay for itself within a day!

For me, the Epson software is the quickest and simplest to use, but I am getting better results with Silverfast SE, which ships with the scanner. While being a touch more work Silverfast offers more control. (You can also upgrade to the full Silverfast version for a reduced price, but at the moment it doesn't seem to offer anything that I need over the basic version.)

And remember that every minute that you spend setting up the scan correctly will save you 10 minutes in post-processing.

I notice that the V600 is in the neighborhood of $250, while the V700 is in the neighborhood of $700. Other than being able to scan more photos at once with the V700 than with the V600, what am I getting for paying $400-$500 more?

trut_maluglist said:

I'm in the market to get a new scanner for scanning my negatives and slides.

Things that are important to me:

- Auto scratch touch up (I understand that some auto scratch touch up software softens the entire photo)

- Scans multiple images in one operation (e.g. I put several slides or negative strips in at once, press a single button and it scans all of them

What can others recommend?

Click to expand...

Nikon 9000ED is the best short of drum scanning.

But it is not longer made and the used prices are through the roof now, if you can even find one.

It's maybe only semi-automatic. Slide/negative scanning is a slow, time consuming process.

9000 ED can even do digital ICE processing (helps remove SOME dirt and dust automatically) even on K64 which few scanners can and also with virtually no loss in real image detail or sharpness as it can send out a special IR beam and separate different 3D layers in the scan so it could remove stuff it finds above the surface but not within the slide itself so it helps avoid losing image details while still getting rid of SOME dust (will likely still have to do manual dust and dirt touch up too, it certain helps to speed it along even if there is still work to do manually), it also uses diffused lighting so it doesn't over-emphasize grain and emulsion bubbles and such as badly as the lower end Nikon scanners and it also doesn't get light bleed on super bright next to super dark area transitions

My current research on a decent scanner has led me to consider:

Plustek OpticFilm 8100

Plustek OpticFilm 8200 i Ai

Plustek OpticFilm 8200 i SE

You can check them out at B & H.

Regards,

Guido

I've not used the V600 so please take what I say here as advice informed form my research when I bought the V800, not from 'hands on' with the V600.

Firstly, I had a need to scan 4"x5" negs, so that narrowed the choice down to only the V800. The V600 will handle panoramic medium format but not large format. On top of that, however, the V800 has a better scanning/output range, twin lenses (one for flatbed, one for slides and negs) and it seems to have a better build quality.

Another thing to consider is the software that is bundled with the scanner. I believe that the V600 has EpsonScan; but the V800 (at least here in Australia) has EpsonScan as well as Silverfast SE. The basic Silverfast sells from the manufacturer for 49 Euros, and having used both have found the basic Silverfast to offer far greater control of scanning than EpsonScan. Don't get me wrong, the EpsonScan program is fine, but Silverfast is definitely superior if you really want the best from your images. (And if you find you want the top-of-the-range Silverfast Ai Suite you get it a discount because you already have the SE version.)

I have certainly noticed a difference in scan quality using Silverfast over EpsonScan, simply because the range of tools that you have to use is greater, and that may be something to consider when buying. To be honest it didn't influence my decision because I didn't think there would be much difference, but after having scanned negs and slides with both it is worthwhile to at least include that as another consideration when making a decision.

I am sure that either scanner will give you good results. Neither the V600 nor the V800 will give you the same quality as a dedicated scanner like the Nikon Coolscan 9000 series, but you don't have to sell your youngest child to buy either of the Epsons!

You mentioned in your post above the V700 but that has been superceded by the V800. There are still V700s availalable, but by all accounts the V800 has a number of small improvements. While the V700 is still a great scanner, there does not seem to be much of a price difference between that and the V800.

(The post below mentions Digital ICE, used to remove dust and scratches. The V800 incorporates Digital ICE, but Silverfast also allows you to use Infra Red scratch and dust removal, which seems to work pretty well. I am not sure if this capability is available on the V600.)

I have the v500 and bought a refurbished v700 because it can process 12 slides instead of 4. I use the Epson scan software which seems adequate and easy to use. Scans are at 4800 dpi but the actual detail captured seems less. Can't see much difference in sharpness or detail. Seems about the same as my dead Minolta at 2800 dpi which had an auto focusing lens. Scans are fine for 8 x 10 prints or HD slide shows, my main intent. Flatbed scanners are a compromise compared to the mostly defunct dedicated film scanners, which very limited to a specific task.

Greg