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Hi, Can anyone recommend a decent scanner - I spend a fortune sending images to Loxleys getting them scanned and rescanned. Is a drum scanner best or flatbed? Any comments welcome. thanks Paul

You could spend a fortune on a scanner too! What's your budget?

I have just purchased a Canon 9950f, pretty nice scanner out of the box and includes silverfast SE. I scan mainly 5x4 and can scan quite easily to print to 16x20. I have just ordered a wetmount kit for it to try to improve saturation and resolution.
I got mine from warehouse express fpr less than £300 with postage.

I have been recommended the Epson F-3200 for scanning both B&W negs and colour transparencies by a reputable photographer. It is a dedicated multiformt film scanner that retails at around £500. This should be plenty of resolution for 5x4.

I'm looking at around £500 so the suggestions so far are great - are there any points I should look for?

Hi Paul, and others

The Epson F-3200 will only give you up to 3200 dpi resolution, whereas the 4870 or 4990 both go up to 4800dpi true optical resolution.

The other factor to consider is what is known as DMax. AFAICT, this is an indicator of how much "shadow" detail you can extract from a transparency. Both the 3200 and 4870 boast a DMax of 3.8, the 4990 has a DMax of 4.0.

I use a 4870 and have had superb results, the only reason I would have for changing is to buy the V700 which is a 6400dpi scanner with a DMax of 4.0.

Typical price for the 4990 and V700 is around £350-£400. I would personally not bother with the 3200 as it costs more for a lesser specification.

Since it is possible to buy the new V700 for the same kind of price as the (slightly lesser) 4900, that really has to be the one to go for.

If you are interested in a quality, slightly used, scanner, I would be willing to part with my 4870 for around £250 ono; it has been carefully looked after and hasn't done that much work.

Thanks Joanna, that sounds like a pretty good deal - you certainly know your stuff. I am definately interested in your scanner, but would have to wait until I get paid next month - if that's ok.