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Looking for good Film Scanners

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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
i just got a bunch of film back from the lab, and i went to scan it into my computer. i got about half way through and just gave up because the software is an absolute nightmare to use and quite frankly the quality of the scans sucks dick. not only that it doesn't fit 120 film which is extremely annoying. its a pretty cheap one that my dad bought a while back and i've only used it once but i know it's really not a good one.

so what i want to know is, what scanners can you guys recommend? requirements are good quality (so that the images actually resemble the prints you get from the lab), easy to use and can take 120 as well as 35mm, slide etc.

i know you can pay pretty much anything you want for scanners but lets keep the price reasonable. i won't set a budget yet but i will once i get an idea what kind of range something decent will be in.

+k for helpful advice!
Jun 19 2012 3:18PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Yes, but the chemicals are very different; obviously has to do with the chemicals on the actual film. It's either B&W or C-41 chemicals that will wash away the image on the other film, I forget which combination though. Any photo store that sells chemicals/film should be able to help you out and get you started. Traditional B&W has the least chance of getting 'fucked up'. C-41 can also be done in a tank, but it's a bit more tricky because it's colour. Since you are developing your own I'd also learn and try pushing/pulling your film, I wish I could push hp5 to 3200 but I eat it in developing fees at my lab. Hoping to get a tank and chemicals in the fall.

Ilford XP2 and Kodak kodak bw400cn are really the only two c-41 'B&W' films. Ilford hp5/delta, kodak tri-x/t-max are the most popular traditional B&W films. HP5 and Tri-x have the traditional 'harsher' grain, where as t-max and delta have a smoother grain. Just something to consider.
Jun 27 2012 8:41PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks. You know a shit ton about this. I should probably read up on this as well.
I'ma check if I can take some photography classes next year at Bozeman. That'd be awesome.
Jun 28 2012 1:42PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
What exactly do you mean by c-41 film and 'traditional' B&W film?

I'm still very confused about the whole e6-c41-b&w thingy. Especially when you start talking about c-41 B&W. Do you mean that B&W is normally always e6, because it's color positive?

I can buy a 5 rolls of Velvia 100 (non-f, which is supposed to be better) for 15€, but saw it is e-6, does that mean anything? Except it's slide/positive color film. Because it's a very similar process to c41, except for using slightly different chemicals right?
Jun 29 2012 11:07AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
"Traditional" B&W and C41 BW have different grain characteristics. Traditional is more random and completely dependent on silver nitride. C41 film forms an image using dye, whereas traditional B&W forms an image based on the density of the exposed grains in the film.

As far as I know, E6 is very similar to C41 but uses different chemicals and a slightly more involved process. You can cross-process C41 film with E6 chemicals and vice-versa.
Jun 29 2012 5:58PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Apparently it's quite good! I'm surely going to be doing this from now on as I get more and more into film.



Jul 5 2012 8:12AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Small 'guide' to film on fstoppers:
http://fstoppers.com/why-i-still-shoot-film
Aug 12 2012 1:28AM
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BolderPro
Posts: 767 - Karma: 426
Threads

Aug 13 2012 7:29PM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
I've got 4 rolls that need to be developed and scanned... Do I spend ~$100 and get it all done at a lab? Or do I spend $20 for them to develop and just buy my own scanner? I'll probably be shooting a decent amount of film in the near future.

This is the first time I've shot film in about a year and the first time I didn't have access to a flatbed scanner to do all the scanning myself.
Aug 13 2012 10:49PM
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Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
First off, where are you going that charges $100 for develop and scans for 4 rolls? haha If it's C-41, go to Costco and have them developed for under $2 a roll and scan for another $2-3. If they're black and white, either go to lab and have them done or if you plan on shooting more black and white go buy developing supplies and develop yourself. If they're slides, then go to a professional lab.

Either way, I'd suggest buying an Epson 4490. You can snag one for around $75 and it'll do just fine for most things. In the case you have a negative really worth printing (large) go to a professional lab and have it drum scanned.
Aug 13 2012 11:34PM
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BryantPhoto
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 891

I'm personally very biased against the flatbed scanners, they aren't dedicated a single negative with a light leak barrier. I have owned the Plustek Optic Film 7600 Ai for the past 5 years along with Silverfast and would never go back. I process my B&W mainly on my own, unless I'm in a time crunch and send my color out to ColorTek in Boston. Only positive experiences and they follow all my requests. I have them scan all my 120 & 4x5 for me so I don't have to use a flat bed.

Aug 15 2012 1:06PM
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BryantPhoto
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 891

I'm personally very biased against the flatbed scanners, they aren't dedicated a single negative with a light leak barrier. I have owned the Plustek Optic Film 7600 Ai for the past 5 years along with Silverfast and would never go back. I process my B&W mainly on my own, unless I'm in a time crunch and send my color out to ColorTek in Boston. Only positive experiences and they follow all my requests. I have them scan all my 120 & 4x5 for me so I don't have to use a flat bed.

Aug 15 2012 1:06PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Just ordered a V600. Yeaaaah
Sep 12 2012 3:36PM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
For paid work, I'm sending out my fuji pro 400h rolls to Indie Film Lab in Alabama. Requesting the Frontier scanner as well. Give that pastel like look that jose villa is known for.

I do want my own scanner for personal work though. Have someone dev for 2$/roll then the rest is on me.
Sep 16 2012 10:55PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Would you mind posting a scan from the plustek somewhere, full res?
Sep 16 2012 11:05PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
2$/roll? Wow, where do you get your film developed!
Sep 17 2012 2:03AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
walgreens charges like $2.50 to develop a roll of 35mm
Sep 17 2012 2:13AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Holy shit! Slide, color negs and B&W?
Doubt we have a Walgreens in Bozeman though
Sep 17 2012 2:29AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
It's hit or miss whether you will end up with fingerprints and scratches all over them though. I would still send it to a lab if it matters.

There's plenty of places that do cheap stuff, any one-hour photo place, walgreens, cvs, rite-aid, I'm sure you've got something there that will get it done cheap for you.
Sep 17 2012 2:35AM
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