Scanning Negatives And Slides

ballentphoto · August 20, 2006

My wife and I have traveled a lot, and during these travels I have shot countless rolls of film. They are nice pictures, but they do me no good unless I can get them into the computer and try to sell them via SM hehehe

So what is the best way to scan probably hundreds possibly 1000+ images, do I send it off somewhere, buy some scanner that will take hi-rez images, and if that route which one??? and what is the cost involved. TIA

Justiceiro · August 20, 2006

ballentphoto wrote:

My wife and I have traveled a lot, and during these travels I have shot countless rolls of film. They are nice pictures, but they do me no good unless I can get them into the computer and try to sell them via SM hehehe So what is the best way to scan probably hundreds possibly 1000+ images, do I send it off somewhere, buy some scanner that will take hi-rez images, and if that route which one??? and what is the cost involved. TIA

6 months ago or so I bought a refurbished epson 4180 flatbed scanner with software and "adaptors" to scan 35mm negatives, medium format negatives, and slides. You can choose a variety of resolutions (the larger ones create really huge files) and it works pretty well. It set me back about $100.

Check out company websites, like apple.com or epson, for deals on refurbished goods. They are generally good quality (mine was basically brand new).

ballentphoto · August 20, 2006

Justiceiro wrote:

6 months ago or so I bought a refurbished epson 4180 flatbed scanner with software and "adaptors" to scan 35mm negatives, medium format negatives, and slides. You can choose a variety of resolutions (the larger ones create really huge files) and it works pretty well. It set me back about $100.

Check out company websites, like apple.com or epson, for deals on refurbished goods. They are generally good quality (mine was basically brand new).

Thank you Justiceiro, I will look into those, how big did the files get? I am hoping to be able to scan the images to be the equivelant of my D200 (10MP) Is that too much?

bham · August 21, 2006

I purchase a KonicaMinolta Dimage Scan Dual IV in January for scanning 35mm and slides. At its highest resolution the result is approx 14 megapixel image. I love it.

gtc · August 22, 2006

cheap way
if you know someone with the gear you can
use a dslr with bellows and a slide copier attachment

...if you aren't shooting film anymore its probably not worth getting a scanner and would be better off taking it somewhere to get done in a drum scanner.

ziggy53 · August 22, 2006

bham wrote:

I purchase a KonicaMinolta Dimage Scan Dual IV in January for scanning 35mm and slides. At its highest resolution the result is approx 14 megapixel image. I love it.

I also have the Dimage Scan Dual IV, but it doesn't have Digital ICE, so dust is a pretty serious problem. Even though the file sizes are pretty large, I would compare the usable/reliable image quality to that of a 6MP imager.

ziggy53

Antonio Correia · August 28, 2006

Slides and B&W film
My mother gave me some 500/600 slides, a lot of negatives 6*6 cms and many 35mm films which belonged to my father.

I myself have a lot of this type of material also.

I need to scan all this stuff.

Can I have an advice on which scanner I should buy ?

Thank you.

pathfinder · August 28, 2006

Antonio,

The newer Epson flat bed scanners do a fair job of gang scanning slides, but they don't do quite as well on b&W negs. Plan on 10 or 15 minutes per scan for good quality scans. This is not a task to be completed in an afternoon.

Epson Perfection 4990 Pro, 4800x9600 dpi, Letter Size, Flatbed Scanner

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=371657&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Search dgrin for scanning film or scanning negs and you should find other posts of mine about this subject

Also - go to www.hamrick.com for a copy of VueScan - This is the software I use to drive my scanners - flat bed and film. It is simple for those desiring basic scanning ability, but powerful for those desiring complete control of the scanning process.

Antonio Correia · August 29, 2006

pathfinder wrote:

Antonio,

The newer Epson flat bed scanners do a fair job of gang scanning slides, but they don't do quite as well on b&W negs. Plan on 10 or 15 minutes per scan for good quality scans. This is not a taqsk to be completed in an afternoon.

Epson Perfection 4990 Pro, 4800x9600 dpi, Letter Size, Flatbed Scanner

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=371657&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Search dgrin for scanning film or scanning negs and you should find other posts of mine about this subject

Also - go to www.hamrick.com for a copy of VueScan - This is the software I use to drive my scanners - flat bed and film. It is simple for those desiring basic scanning ability, but powerful for those desiring complete control of the scanning process.

Thank you Pathfinder.

The scanner has no price on the link you gave me...

I would like to get something realiabel and only to scan film and slides.
I do not care about scanning A4 sheets.:):

I was thinking of something like teh Nikon CoolScan IV ED Film & Slide Scanner :

but I'm afraid it's too expensive.

Because actually it's only to scan some 1000 pics ...

pathfinder · August 29, 2006

Antonio,

I own and use a Nikon CoolScan IV ED, and it works fine. It has been replaced by the newer V ED I believe.

I strongly prefer film scanners, over flat bed scanners, but film scanners for medium format get VERY expensive very quick, so most folks unless they are high grade pros, use flat bed scanners for film bigger than 35mm. You mentioned medium format negatives - that si why I suggested the flat bed scanner.

The CoolScan IV ED will do a very nice job for 35mm. I prefer to use VueScan for the software with the CoolScan IV ED as I said earlier.

The film scanners like the CoolScan and the current Epson flat bed scanners are similar in price. ~$500 USD give or take. The Minolta DiMage II is an excellent film scanner also.

You may be able to find these used, but make sure you have all the needed software for them, as without the software they are not much use.

Antonio Correia · August 29, 2006

pathfinder wrote:

Antonio,

I own and use a Nikon CoolScan IV ED, and it works fine. It has been replaced by the newer V ED I believe.

I strongly prefer film scanners, over flat bed scanners, but film scanners for medium format get VERY expensive very quick, so most folks, unless they are high grade pros, use flat bed scanners for film bigger than 35mm. You mentioned medium format negatives - that is why I suggested the flat bed scanner.

The CoolScan IV ED will do a very nice job for 35mm. I prefer to use VueScan for the software with the CoolScan IV ED as I said earlier.

The film scanners like the CoolScan and the current Epson flat bed scanners are similar in price. ~$500 USD give or take. The Minolta DiMage II is an excellent film scanner also.

You may be able to find these used, but make sure you have all the needed software for them, as without the software they are not much use.

Thank you Pathfinder.

:
It was most kind of you to give me (us) this information.

ballentphoto · August 30, 2006

Antonio Correia wrote:

Thank you Pathfinder. :
It was most kind of you to give me (us) this information.

Thanks to all that have posted suggestions. Guess the Nikon is a good choice. Use it for a bit and then sell it, kinda like a rental

Guess it's time to go shopping

Antonio Correia · August 30, 2006

Today I called the usual shop and the prices are:
0,65 € / slide;
Nikon V ED about 850 € - 1.000 € if with the bulk charger.

Expensive yes. Here I will not be able to sell it easilly.

1,00 * 0,65€ = 650 €
I roll of 35 mm film with strips of 5 each costs about 0,50 €
And film black and white I do have many, many, many...
Plus old 6*6 cms from the Rollei which should be about, say 250 (?) etc.

The 850€ is not that much.

Of course there is all the work one has to do...

I'll get this equipment sooner or later.

Thank you for all the tips, you all gave me. They were very usefull.

:

pathfinder · August 30, 2006

The Nikon CoolScan V ED is for 35mm and smaller sized only.

For 6x6 you will want a flat bed scanner I think Antonio.

Justiceiro · August 30, 2006

ballentphoto wrote:

Thank you Justiceiro, I will look into those, how big did the files get? I am hoping to be able to scan the images to be the equivelant of my D200 (10MP) Is that too much?

The Epson 4180 is capable of scanning images at much higer resolution than the Canon 20d. I can't remeber exactly, but I think it goes up to 9600 dpi (as opposed to 1800dpi for the 20D.) Id on't do those sorts of conversions, because the files are so big they crash my computer, wich is an ancient Vaio. If I had a mac, I could do it.

Here are some examples of negs (old negatives not properly cared for) scanned at one of the lowest resolution settings:

Here is one scanned from a 120 Medium Format NEgative. Again, this is cropped, and at a veryl low setting (I think 200 dpi).

So you shouldn't be worried about the quality. It's good. And for $100, how can you go wrong?

Antonio- don't spend $1000 on a flatbed scanner. Fly to new york and you'll probably sav the plane cost in the price difference. Like I said, a refurbished epson is $100

Antonio Correia · August 30, 2006

Justiceiro,
Thank you so much for the advise.

I don't think I'll fly to NY and get one scanner but I am going to ask the price here in Portugal.
I'll let you know for curiosity...

:

pathfinder · August 30, 2006

Justiceiro,

I suggested the Epson flat bed scanners to Antonio. Refurbed is fine if the software is all there.

Flat bed scanners do a nice job, and approach what a good film scanner can do now for color slides.

Have you tried scanning B&W negatives on this flat bed scanner? B&W negative scanning is a different kettle of fish than color slides.

I am very interested in how the flat bed scanners from Epson do on B&W negatives. Do they allow you to use Digital Ice to remove dust and scratches? Are they sharp? Do they accentuate the grain of the B&W negative?

Antonio Correia · August 30, 2006

The prices in this country are:

Epson 4180 = 226,05 €
Epson 4490 = 247,11 €

I think I can get the 4180 for 200 €

:

I would like to read the answser to the question of Pathfinder before buying anything, as I do have many kilometers of B&W film.

pathfinder · August 30, 2006

I have been shopping the 4180 versus the newer 4490 myself Antonio.

Nightingale used an Epson 1600 flat bed for some time and we replaced it a year ago with a Epson Perfection 3200 Photo flat bed scanner and it works very nicely. The 4180 should do a very nice job, and seems affordable at 200 Euros.

I'll see if I can give it a spin tonight on a Tri-X neg and see what develops:):

Antonio Correia · August 30, 2006

pathfinder wrote:

I have been shopping the 4180 versus the newer 4490 myself Antonio...I'll see if I can give it a spin tonight on a Tri-X neg and see what develops:):

thumb

claudermilk · August 31, 2006

Great info, guys thanks. Kind of meshes with my MF thread.

Antonio Correia · August 31, 2006

Antonio Correia wrote:

The prices in this country are:

Epson 4180 = 226,05 €
Epson 4490 = 247,11 €

I think I can get the 4180 for 200 € :

I would like to read the answser to the question of Pathfinder before buying anything, as I do have many kilometers of B&W film.

The 4180 is discontinued.

claudermilk · September 1, 2006

Antonio Correia wrote:

The 4180 is discontinued.

Yeah, but the Epson site still lists refurbs for sale at $99. Could be US-only, I am not sure.

Antonio Correia · September 1, 2006

claudermilk wrote:

Yeah, but the Epson site still lists refurbs for sale at $99. Could be US-only, I am not sure.

Not in this country.
I am sorry. It would be a good business.
Thank you

AntoineD · September 1, 2006

There are some espon 4490 or 4870 on ebay at good prices (generally around 200 euros).

I won't buy real know – no money... – but I hope I find theses prices in a few weeks

Antonio Correia · September 1, 2006

AntoineD wrote:

There are some espon 4490 or 4870 on ebay at good prices (generally around 200 euros).

I won't buy real know – no money... – but I hope I find theses prices in a few weeks

Merci Antoine.

Je vous souhaite un agréable week end.

Budcub · September 8, 2006

I have the Nikon Coolscan IV ED and am not too happy with it. It is ok for scanning negatives, but not for slides. I was getting huge file sizes when saving as .tiff files, and the dynamic range just wasn't there.

They have a Coolscan V ED out now that's supposed to be better, but I'm not sure if it would be worth the purchase, for myself that is. I'm considering some sort of attachment that will let me use my DSLR and macro lens.

Brendan
http://budcub.smugmug.com

Antonio Correia · September 8, 2006

Thank you for the important tip Brendan.

:

gtc · September 10, 2006

only buy a scanner
if you are going to keep on shooting slide film-if not it doesen't really seem worth-while in buying one

Antonio Correia · September 10, 2006

Thank you Greg.
I will not shoot slides.
I will shoot only digital till the end of my days. (how dramatic

:)
I have dicided that I will buy the Epson 4490 = 247,11 € in Portugal, one of these days.
What I don't like is the work it gives to scan 501 slides ...

:
As I sometimes say: I'll ask a slave to do it.
What do I mean by that ?
I mean I'll pay by the hour someone to do it, at very low price.

:

JettyJ · January 24, 2007

Looking at the 4990
Hi all,

Like many people out there I'm sure, I recently came into possession of several hundred of my grandfather's old 35 slides. I've been debating about having them scanned professionally or doing them myself. I'm leaning towards getting the epson 4990 review as it seems to be the best fit between a dedicated film scanner (too expensive for me) and a flatbed (which I need also for old prints). What I like is it can scan up to 8 slides at a time.

My plan is to just get them all scanned in at a medium/hi resolution so that I can...

A) know that there is an archive of all this stuff somewhere

get all the images into the computer so I can start sorting, ranking and keywording them (in aperture)

After that, I can revisit the best shots and look into getting them rescanned in a pro shop or something.

If it's helpful, I'll post my progress as I move along.

Scanning Negatives And Slides

Comments