capocheny Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Greetings, Other than an Imacon (too expensive for the average hobbyist) or a flatbed scanner... does anybody here know of a film scanner capable of scanning both 4x5 and 35mm film formats? In other words, is there a reasonably priced film scanner capable of scanning these two formats? Any recommendations? What do you like and dislike about your particular scanner? Thanks in advance. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikos peri Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 You're looking for the Holy Grail but...<p> I don't know what it's worth, I don't know of anyone that has actually used/seen one, but <a href="http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Scanners/Epson_F3200/page-1.htm">Epson F3200</a> looks like it could help you.<p> In an ideal world, the Imacon would cost the same as my Nikon Coolscan V plus my Epson 4870... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyammons Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Not that I have found. The old flaky leaf scanners are sharp, but I have never used one and they only do 4x5 at 1000 dpi. 35mm will scan at over 5000dpi on a leaf I think. They are a PIA from what I understand and do 3 passes. Also nobody supports then from what I understand. You might be able to find a refurbed creo flatbed. Microtek also makes a 1800 dpi scanner that is sharp. Artixscan 1800f. I ended up buying a refurbed drum scanner, but actually I would prefer a creo, if the prices were not so high. Looks like you are going to be stuck with a flatbed unless you want to spend big $. Epson has a new flatbed coming out soon, but if its like the 4870 dont expect an optical 4800 dpi out of it. The 4870 is more like 1200-1500 dpi optical. Even with that said it is useful. A 1500 dpi 4x5 scan is big. 6000 x 7500. I usually scan at 2400 and sharpen a lot. On my drum scanner I usually scan at 2000 to 3000 dpi. If you want to see a comparison go here.... http://www.pbase.com/tammons/drum_comparisons&page=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmw__ Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 The Microtek i900 scans all formats up to 8x10. It's a large bed, so you can gang up almost an entire roll of cut 35mm film for making quick contact sheets. I've owned the Epson 3200 and the i900 scans to my eye are much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronald_moravec1 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 If you want scans from 35mm for the web, Epson 4870 will do fine. I did some high res scans on my Minolta 5400 and the 4870 and displayed them on my screen at 11x14 size and they were identical. If you want prints, that is another matter. Two scanners seemed a better solution to me than a drum at $15000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatkins1 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 The Polaroid Sprintscan 45 (i or u) might work. Discontinued but still available on the auction site for around $500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_dermer Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 i am getting good 4x5 scans with the Microtek i900 using the glass-less carrier. Here are three that were scanned at 300dpi at 200% scaling. http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=459219 The software set is nice - Silverfast 6, etc and it comes with IT8 calibration targets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_stewart1 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 I use an Imacon 343 to scan everything from 35mm through 4x10. This is their lowest price scanner and can be had for under $5K. I scan 4x5 in two bites, using thier 6x12 holder. I scan 4x10 in four bites with the 6x18 holder. The 6x12 holder appears to be made for scanning 4x5. It isn't the ideal setup, but the quality is outstanding. Eventually, I'll get a Creo for my LF stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_simmons Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 George, how to you fit a 4x5 in the 6x12 holder? As one piece that you move around and take care not to scratch the film? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capocheny Posted January 17, 2005 Author Share Posted January 17, 2005 Hi All, Thanks kindly for the responses... I knew I was seeking the holly grail but thought I would ask the question anyway. So, it looks like the F3200 or i900 Microtek might be my most viable options... No, I didn't want to spend upwards of $10,000 - 15,000 on a scanner. (Besides, my head wouldn't remain where it is for very long if I did! :) I'll do a bit more research and we'll see where it ends up. I'm thinking, though, that Ronald may be right... I'll most likely end up with a Nikon Coolscan 9000 and my Epson 3200 but we'll see. Thanks again... Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyammons Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Robert, can you post a Microtek i900 full size crop at maybe 2000 dpi. You can email it to me if you want. Also to HC, if you are not in a hurry you can find used drum scanners for a reasonable amount, but they are expensive to keep up, especially if they need to be serviced. I paid $1050 for mine refurb, but more likely it was lightly used. Some things are super expensive though, like drums at $1800 each or pmt tubes, motors etc, but probably no more than creo parts. I have total into mine with new software shipping and everything about 3G. I have a howtek 4500. Like I said I would really like a creo, but even the used ones are high. I had considered the Artixscan 1800f at one time and when I heard about the 2500f (2500dpi) I got all worked up. 2500 dpi is perfect for 4x5 and 8x10, but the samples I saw were as soft as my 4870 and it cost something like $2500. There are just not a lot of good cost effective sharp LF scanners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capocheny Posted January 17, 2005 Author Share Posted January 17, 2005 Troy, I'll have to keep an eye open... If the unit worked well and produced great scans I wouldn't mind spending the funds on maintaining it as long as the costs are reasonable. I'd guess that it would be important to know the history of the unit before buying it. I saw a drum scanner on *bay back some time ago but I was told it's very old technology and the seller couldn't tell me much about it. The starting bid price on it was in the $2,500 mark. Replacing some of the key components would have been a gamble... So many toys...so little time and money! :) Thanks for the input. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyammons Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 Yes it is a gamble, but if you want the sharpest 4x5 and larger scans its one way to go. I heard some real horror stories about ebay. Definately check it out if you buy from ebay. Howteks are still supported by Aztek. The 4000's are old and while if you get a good one it would probably be okay. The 4500 was one of the later models and there are more parts around for those. If I were to do it again, I think I would go for a hi-resolve, although 3000 dpi is enough for LF. Nobody that I know of supports optronics. I bought a 5000 dpi falcon for $100 and it turns on, but I dont have the controller or any other parts or software. Just the main station and the drum, but if i had another it would be very valuable. I will probably part it out. I know somebody in england that bought a complete falcon scanner with three drums and the works for about $800. I believe he wants to sell it or part it out. Gees if somebody would just come out with a sharp ccd scanner that would do 8x10 or even 4x5 min at 3000 dpi for about $3000 they would fly off the shelves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norris_lam Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 Although i am using the old model of Epson flatbed scanner 2450, i will opt for Epson new film scanner f3200. I have seen this in Japan roughly eqv to USD500. No glass in-between and i will expect higher quality than flatbed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_dermer Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 H.C.I am scanning it now. But I wonder why you would want to scan a 4x5 at 2000 dpi?? It just doesn't make any sense to me. Now, scanning a 35mm pic at that dpi might make sense but printers print at 300 dpi at 100% - or am I wrong on that??? Anyhoo, I am scanning it now and will zip the unedited file and send along probably tomorrow morning. If it is anything to "write home about" i will post the final scanned print at my home here on photo.net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 Re <i>But I wonder why you would want to scan a 4x5 at 2000 dpi??</i><BR><BR>Maybe you want to make a large 36x48" print? Here most of my 4x5" is scanned at 2400 "dpi" on a flatbed. Our first "pro" flatbed was bought over a decade ago; and was a 300 dpi unit; then we got a 600dpi unit. Both were over one thousand bucks in cost..Our Epson 2450 does a sharper job; scans way faster; has a wider dynamic range; and only cost 1/2 the amount a decade later. Our unit puts to the film grain; and pulls out the majority of info in many 4x5 stuff we scan. A local utility company has a drum scanner; and still has us scan old 4x5 B&W negatives for them.<BR><BR>Bettie with a party hat on; 4x5 film pack negative; frame #12; full frame abit reduced in size:<BR><BR><IMG SRC=http://www.ezshots.com/members/tripods/images/tripods-543.jpg><BR><BR><IMG SRC=http://www.ezshots.com/members/tripods/images/tripods-544.jpg><BR><BR><IMG SRC=http://www.ezshots.com/members/tripods/images/tripods-545.jpg> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_dermer Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 HC, I scanned at 2000 dpi and the file was 128meg. I can't send a 120meg file from my work email and it is too big to post at photo.net. I will try again this weekend but will lower the dpi until the size is around 80 meg and then post it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_dermer Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 HC, Here is an Astia 4x5 shot scanned on the i900 at 1000dpi at 100%. No PS'ing. I used PS's "Save For Web" to get it down in size from 124meg to 3meg. http://www.photo.net/photo/3062006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prashanteju Posted February 14, 2005 Share Posted February 14, 2005 Hi Robert, I can not see the image you posted at the link. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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