lf-photo.org.uk

Hi everyone
All my previous b&w work in Lf has been printed conventionally using an enlarger. Colour work has been scanned professionally (Imacon & drum scanners). The cost of this is pretty high and a flatbed scanner seems a cost effective route. I know many of you use flatbed scanners and somewhere I remember noting that someone uses the Epson F3200 scanner. Your experiences with this type of scanning would be appreciated as everything that I have read so far is not very inspiring. The F3200 being quite small would suit me fine but the reviews that I have come across have not been at all favourable. Buying an Imacon or indeed a drum scanner is beyond my financial means at the moment.

The F3200 doesn't exactly get rave reviews. The newer 4870/4990 and V700/750 would arguably do a better job, especially the latter two.

There's a very nice comparison page for scanners at :

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/scan-comparison/

where you can directly compare the results of a chrome scanned with different scanners, from consumer flatbeds to high-end flatbeds and drum scanners. The F3200 is on there, as is the 4990, but not the V700/750. In that price bracket, the new V ones will probably do the best job IMHO. V700 is probably worth the extra £70 over the price of the 4990 for the height adjustable film holders and dual lens system.

It's frustrating when you see what a drum scanner can do to be limited to using these flatbeds, not only in terms of sharpness but also DMAX ( shadow detail ), but buying a drum scanner is prohibitive for most of us.

Hi,
I use a 4990 & find it OK for everything between 35mm & 5 x 4, but that is scanning 5 x 4 @ 1000 dpi & 35mm @ 4000, which may not suit the really keen types? Dennis

i have a 3200 scanner - I bought it when it was the flag-ship Epson scanner. It does a good job. I've never had a problem with the film holder - just treat them carefully. I do sometimes get Newtons rings where any not-too-flat 5 x 4 tranny touches the glass. I solved that by placing the tranny with the curve facing up and then flip it in Photoshop. Downsides are it will only hold one 5x4 - the later scanners will take two; there is no dust/scratch removal hardware (don't even think about using the dust removing software; it's the equivalent of polishing the front element of your camera lens with Brasso). So if you can get a good deal on a 3200 it's OK. Reading the latest scanner reviews, it seems that the 4990 or the V series do offer worthwhile advantages so it's pay your money and take your choice. You can see images scanned with the 3200 on my web site www.richardholroydphotography.com