V600?

<p>Hello,<br>

I have a variety of scanning needs and, based on the originals I'm working with, my budget, and the helpful conversations here and at imaging-resource, I think I've determined that the Epson V600 is probably the best overall choice; however, your opinions are most welcome, especially since I'm unsure about the V600's capabilities re: 616 negatives.</p>

<p>I have the following originals to digitize (approximately):<br />-500 historic (60-100 years old) <strong>prints</strong><br />-200 <strong>35mm</strong> slides<br />-500 <strong>35mm</strong> negatives<br />-100 <strong>110-cartridge</strong> negatives<br />-200 <strong>616</strong> negatives<br />-50 <strong>APS</strong> cartridges</p>

<p>My goal with digitizing is personal archival and easier electronic distribution to family, though I would like to enlarge (up to 8x10 only) and print about 50 of the scans; I'll retain the originals for long-term storage.</p>

<p>I likely cannot afford a high quality dedicated film scanner (though the Plustek OpticFilm 7600i is affordable and might be worth it for my 35mm negs and slides, but I'm unsure of its quality), so I figured the V600 was the most affordable, decent-quality option for the bulk of my collection. True?</p>

<p>I realize it cannot do anything with the APS cartridges, but can it handle the 616 negatives that are 2.5" wide (6.35cm)? On Amazon, Adorama, etc. it says the V600 can do transparencies up to 6cm, so I thought not---HOWEVER, the fine-print specs at Epson.com indicate a "TPU maximum scan area" of 2.7" wide. So which is it? Does anybody have personal experience?</p>

<p>If the V600 can't do the 616s, I guess I'll have to pony up the extra $$$ and get the V700? Or can anyone recommend other options for the above items?</p>

<p>I've also considered splitting my budget for an older, used film scanner like a Dimage Scan Dual III or IV for the applicable slides/negs and then a budget flatbed (V500?) exclusively for the prints. Thoughts?</p>

<p>Thank you in advance for your expertise; this forum has been very helpful already!</p>

<p>Just comment on the Plustek 7600i, I've had mine for two weeks and am very happy with it. Prior to purchasing mine, this forum thread from the Leica camera forum helped me a lot:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/153571-plustek-7600i-se-very-good-money.html">http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/153571-plustek-7600i-se-very-good-money.html</a></p>

<p>There are lots of inline sample pictures, but you'll need to register on the site if you want to be able to see them all. Good luck!</p>

<p>I have a V600. The bottom line is that it will do a good 5X enlargement. If there significant detail on the negative beyond this, this scanner won't be able to resolve it. As a reference, you can expect excellent 6x4 prints from 135 format negatives with this scanner.</p>

<p>YOu might want to check to see if the V700 has the capacity to scan more at one time than the V600, which would make the job much less time-consuming. This is true of the V700 compared to the V500--the V700 can fit 6 frames of 6x6 at a time, while the V500 only 3. </p>

<p>Nick,</p>

<p>I did a similar project with and Epson 4490 scanner and a Nikon Coolscan. It was a great combination.</p>

<p>The V600 will work fine for scanning your prints. </p>

<p>The Epson V600 has a transparency light source that is 2.7" x 9.5" according to Epson specs. The film and slide holder for medium format film is smaller. The holder for my 4490 is only 2.3" which is fine for 120 film that is 2.25". Your 616 film as you know is 2.5". You will have to make your own holder. You can use the V600's holder as a template and widen the width area.</p>

<p>Trying to get a good 8x10 from 35mm might be too much to ask. I worked with a sharp 35mm slide and got what I thought was a nice 8x10 print until I compared it to one done with my Coolscan. </p>

<p>The Imaging Resource review was extremely over-optimistic concerning the resolution of this and other flatbed scanners. They don't come close to the stated resolution figures. So while an 8x10 is pushing it a 5x7 can look sharp. For a web page the scans will look fine. For those special slides you can outsource the scanning.</p>

<p>Speaking of outsourcing, you can get scanning done for your 110 and APS film.</p>

<p>You will find the project to be a combination of pleasure and pain. You will sometimes think you will never get done. The pleasure will come from learning more about your family and the pride in you accomplishment. </p>

2, not 3.

<p>Thanks much for the good information; the light source/film holder size difference is exactly what I was looking for.<br>

I'll probably go with the V600 for the prints and 616 negs, and try it with the 35mm slides and negs; if the quality on those isn't what I wanted, I'll save up for the Plustek or look for a used Dimage.</p>