Film scanners

If you’re only scanning 35mm, take a look at the Plustek 7600Ai. I used one briefly (+/- 500 scans) a couple of years ago. I was scanning 35mm b/w negatives, and the scanner did fairly well. I would say the quality is pretty close to the Nikon scanner though it lacks much of its refinement in terms of design and ease of use. Given it’s price, size and weight it would be a good choice to travel with.

Hi Andrew,

look here for more informations and tests about film scanners: www.filmscanner.info

Do yout only shoot 35 mm film? What quality do you need?

Do you shoot with a DSLR also? Then my way of scanning could be interesting for you:

I duplicate slides and negatives with my D3. I have an Apo-Rodagon D 1x with Modular-Focus and extension tubes ( www.rodenstock-photo.com ). This lens is optimized for 1:1 and in this range much better than the Nikon macro. This combo gives me a resolution of about 2900 dpi. I have tested it with a rented D3x (this body gives me a resolution of about 4100 dpi) and the results with both cameras are excellent. Now I want to buy a D800 E for reproduction and scannning.

When focused exactly with live view and sharpened properly (selective sharpening with very low radius), quality matches a flextight, but the grain is a bit smoother than scans with a Hasselblad or a Nikon scanner. Dynamic range is no problem.

I own a Coolscan LS 4000 – that produces very sharp scans, but the narrow dof is a problem. It is very difficult to achieve sharpness from edge to edge. I will sell the scanner in a few weeks.

If you want to scan with a DSLR, this could be the solution: eVision ini.tial from Kaiser Fototechnik ( www.kaiser-fototechnik.de ).

Put the negativ with the emulsion side to the camera in a compound negative carrier of an enlarger – no glass to the camera, good (!) AN-glass with fine structure below the film stripe – and you will get very good and sharp scans that outperform the results of every low budget filmscanner.

Greetings from bavaria!

Franz

I shoot both, 35mm and 120. The single reply for me is no. There are no a good and simple scanner to do that other that what you have. The shorcuts like take photographs of the the film don’t worked for me. All that Is the cruel reality.

I second Michael above. The Plustek – I own one – is extraordinary for the price. There are several models but mine scans to 7200 dpi which makes some pretty intense images. And it comes with the excellent Silverlight software. I only have used it for B&W, and it has not disappointed. I do agree that it lacks some of the processing niceties more expensive scanners offer, but, hey, mine was only about $350!

Never downgrade. Never go backwards.

Thanks for the responses all. Perhaps an interim solution is the Plustek or similar but without relying on it for ‘final’ scans. I have to admit that shooting dupes with a DSLR sounds like a compromise but then, Franz, you seem to be happy with the results. You say your LS 4000 will be for sale in a few weeks. I don’t suppose you’re in or around NYC? If so, perhaps I’d be interested in buying.

Many thanks again,
Andrew

Plustek’s new medium format film scanner, in case you’ve not seen it yet:

http://plustek.com/usa/products/opticfilm-series/opticfilm-120/introduction.html

Coming soon, they say. I wonder how much will cost.