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Numpti scanning question

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:38 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Julian Elliott
Evening all

Now, when it comes to scanning images I will admit I know diddly squat!

The only scanner here in the house is just a combined scanner/ printer that my missus uses when she needs stuff for work. It's just an HP flatbed scanner.

So, do you HAVE to have a dedicated film scanner just to get an idea of your film looks like? I know that there are dedicated photo scanners by people such as Epson and Nikon.

Anyone?

Thanks !!!!!!

Jools

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:43 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Joanna Carter
Well, you definitely need a transparency head to shine light through the film :wink: The "standard" that a lot of people go with is the Epson V700. (other scanners are available :roll: )

Or, you could simply hold the film against a backlit piece of greaseproof paper and take a shot with a digital camera.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:46 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Julian Elliott
Well, I could do that with my 35mm stuff. I'm thinking of my 6x6 stuff.

So, essentially what you are saying Joanna is get a slide scanner!

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:55 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Paul Mitchell
Yes, IMHO you do need either a dedicated film scanner or a high end flatbed for scanning transparencies and it really is a case of 'you get what you pay for...'

I use a Nikon Coolscan 9000ED for all my MF, it really is the dogs dangly bits. The downside is they're as rare as rocking horse poo (Nikon discontinued them last year) and, even 2nd hand, they command about £2.5K.

I also have the Epson V700 which, while not being able to match the quality of a drum scanner, is excellent for all my LF. I've never used it for my MF transparencies but have heard good reports. The Epson 4990's are also supposed to be very good and can be picked up for about £250

Paul

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:01 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Paul Dunning
From what I've seen the affordable dedicated slide scanners don't do 4x5 (not sure about 6x6) unless you go for something very expensive like an Imacon, a good quality flatbed with transparency unit like the Epson V700 will stand you in good stead for 135, 120 and 4x5 transparencies.

Paul.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:06 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by dave_whatever
If your scanner isn't transparency capable you could try the old trick of using a lightbox turned upside down and using that as an improvised transparency lid.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:53 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Neil Barnes
If you can find one - they haven't been made for years - the Epson Photo Perfection 2450 does 4*5 negatives and slides.

Neil

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:02 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Joanna Carter
You're more likely to find either a 4870 or a 4990, both of which are better than the 2450 and can be found for reasonable prices.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 1:27 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by dennis
I use an Epson 4990 for scanning from 35mm to 8x10 & it seems to function OK. That said I cannot compare my scans with others, but see the 8x10 - 'First 8x10 neg' post in Critique forum. I use 4000 dpi for 35mm, 1400 for 6x7, 1100 for 6x12 & 1000 for 4x5 & 8x10, the latter takes a little time. Comments welcomed. Dennis.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:18 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Joanna Carter
I certainly didn't find any significant difference in scanning quality by "upgrading" to a V700 from a 4870. I still have a couple of "stonking" 40" x 32" prints from scans on the 4870.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:23 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Julian Elliott
Thanks for this folks!

I see a few 4870s going on Ebay at reasonable prices. However, what worries me a little is software issues going forward. Will the drivers still work on Windows if I happen to get a new PC in a year or two etc.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:56 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Joanna Carter
Julian Elliott wrote:… what worries me a little is software issues going forward. Will the drivers still work on Windows if I happen to get a new PC in a year or two etc.
This is always a concern when buying older hardware, especially with Windows.

There are a couple of considerations that can provide solutions to such possibilities:

1. On Windows, you can install something like VMWare, which allows you to create virtual machines with older versions of the operating system as "guests". This allows you to have, for example, a Windows 7 machine as the "host" and Windows XP, or even older versions as "guests". At the moment, Epson does still support running the 4870 under Windows 7 32 and 64 bit.

2. I know it is more expensive to buy a Mac but, in the end, their support for plug in hardware, like cameras, scanners and printers, has always been somewhat more comprehensive than Windows. I have found that most digital cameras will plug straight into a Mac and allow transfer of images without needing any of the camera manufacturer's additional software normally needed for Windows. It has also, traditionally, support the use of 32-bit equipment drivers on a 64-bit operating system without the same problems that Windows can have in that respect.

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:11 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Tony
Joanna Carter wrote:
Julian Elliott wrote:… what worries me a little is software issues going forward. Will the drivers still work on Windows if I happen to get a new PC in a year or two etc.
This is always a concern when buying older hardware, especially with Windows.

There are a couple of considerations that can provide solutions to such possibilities:

1. On Windows, you can install something like VMWare, which allows you to create virtual machines with older versions of the operating system as "guests". This allows you to have, for example, a Windows 7 machine as the "host" and Windows XP, or even older versions as "guests". At the moment, Epson does still support running the 4870 under Windows 7 32 and 64 bit.
Hi Joanna I have an epson 4870 and it runs fine on my windows 7 64 bit machine !
Tony

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:44 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Neil Barnes
<cough> Linux </cough>

The Sane and XSane packages have drivers for just about everything there is. It's occasionally the most modern stuff that lacks drivers, since often the manufacturers won't play ball and it takes time for them to be reverse engineered.

Good call on the 4870 - there's one just up the road from me I have my eye on, collection only. My 2450 is getting a little tired...

Neil

p.s. I run W2K on a virtual machine under my 64-bit linux. Confuses my boss no end!

Re: Numpti scanning question

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:00 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00
by Joanna Carter
Neil Barnes wrote:<cough> Linux </cough>
I'd get that throat looked at if I were you :wink: :roll:
Neil Barnes wrote:I run W2K on a virtual machine under my 64-bit linux. Confuses my boss no end!
Heheheh. You'd should've seen the looks on my clients' faces when I went to discuss Windows development with a MacBook Pro in hand 8)