Best cheap scanner for 35mm film?

brainmonster · Aug 10, 2019

I’m looking to get a cheap scanner from amazon or someplace similar, to casually scan 35mm film I’m talking on my Minolta Maxxum 70. Just looking to save on costs from development and don’t want to use digital (I’m on a budget).

I’ve heard wolverine scanners are good, is it true? I don’t want to spend more than $80 or so, what about the kodak mini scanner? The cheap chinese ones on amazon?

Advice would be helpful here for my budget needs just starting out with film photography.

KN4SMF · Aug 11, 2019

Beware of Amazon. Watch your bank account for several months for debits you don't recall making. Btdt

Helios 1984 · Aug 11, 2019

Hi and welcome to Photrio.

Maybe you could look for a second hand Epson V550?

brainmonster · Aug 11, 2019

Helios 1984 said:
Hi and welcome to Photrio.

Maybe you could look for a second hand Epson V550?

Thanks, I’ll take a look at it. I was looking at a new Epson V370 for about $120 which has decent DPI and similar features. V550 looks like an older model, not sure how they compare other than the higher model number.

Alan Edward Klein · Aug 11, 2019

Epson currently has a V600 factory refurbished scanner with Epson warranty for $145.
https://epson.com/Clearance-Center/Scanners/c/cc200

cooltouch · Aug 12, 2019

Most of the Epson flatbeds that have been produced over the past 20 years or so will do a respectable job. My first flatbed was an Epson 3170 I bought about 20 years ago, and it did a decent job. Later models will do better, and can probably be picked up for reasonable sums. If you buy used, make sure the scanner comes with all film holders.

These days, I shoot dupes with my digital camera and macro lens, with a light box for illumination. This is actually the cheapest option for me, since it didn't cost me anything. I already had the camera, lens, and lightbox, so I didn't need to buy anything else to shoot my dupes. Best of all, my digital has a 24.3mp sensor, which delivers 4000 x 6000 pixel images -- much better than any flatbed can deliver. In fact, 4000 x 6000 rivals the very expensive Nikon Coolscans.

Wallendo · Aug 12, 2019

Most of the sub $100 "scanners" are really just small digital cameras. Spend a few extra dollars and get an Epson V550.

cooltouch · Aug 12, 2019

I'd go further than that and state that most of the sub $100 "scanners" are really just a great way to waste your money. Most are 5mp digital cameras, and 5mp isn't enough to do much more than provide okay 4x6 prints. Image quality is guaranteed to be mediocre at best.

John51 · Aug 14, 2019

I have one of those cheapo box camera scanners. imo it's acceptable enough for posting pics on the net. I find it easier to use than my Epsom 4990 with Vuescan, that only gets used for scanning mf.

Downside for me is cleaning the innards. It isn't built for easy access so I've been putting that off. This is full frame, no editing by me as I don't know how:

one90guy · Aug 16, 2019

I have had a Epson V600 for years and has never let me down. Good luck in your search.

David

Brownie_Holiday · Nov 7, 2020

New guy digging up old threads...

I picked up a Wolverine Snap-14 from CL for $20, almost new in the box. Everything was still in the original packaging. The lady said she bought it to scan old family slides and having no further use decided to sell it. There are a lot of people buying these types of scanners for the same reason and good used ones are becoming more available. I have used it to scan photos, slides, and negatives. It does a credible job and delivers a 14MP image. Minor color corrections and exposure can be be made in the unit although I usually just use the computer. It isn't perfect, but it works. Now that I've decided to get into processing film I will likely end up with an Epson of some sort.

This is a negative scan from a Minolta Maxxum 7000i, I think using the 50/1.7 and flash on expired Fujicolor 200. There is some dust on the backlight lens that I didn't see before scanning, It's since been cleaned.

Kitty by telecast, on Flickr[/img]

Mesabound · Nov 7, 2020

To each their own but I agree with those upthread that these are a tremendous waste of money (albeit not much).

I've attached a slide that was first "scanned" on a Wolverine and then later rescanned on a Nikon Coolscan IV ED. It's a shame to me that family photos such as these are being preserved (degraded, rather) through such means, but it is quick and can look passable if you don't know the difference.

Deleted member 88956 · Nov 7, 2020

Epson 550/600 are possibly the lowest level scanners that can fit into OK quality category for 35 mm. And these can be had for about a $100 with some patience and luck, or more like $150+ with lesser market help. Any of those cheap box scanners are just a used BigMac from previous month, still on sale at MC.

Kilgallb · Nov 10, 2020

Here is one from Kodak for only $114.00 at Amazon,

No word if the scanner will pick up the finger prints on the negative.

MattKing · Nov 10, 2020

That may work fine, but the name "Kodak" is there only as a result of a licensing arrangement.

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 10, 2020

Have you tried a film scanning app for your phone? https://www.dpreview.com/news/3520224777/filmlab-is-a-film-negative-scanning-app-for-smartphones

cptrios · Nov 15, 2020

Don't discount "junky" old scanners on eBay. I picked up a Pacific Image 3650U for $15, and it works surprisingly well. It's slow (nearly 4 minutes for a 3600dpi color scan with the ICE equivalent on, nearly 2 minutes for a 3600dpi B&W scan), and not great with dark shadow detail, but it's miles and miles better than the cheapo Amazon options.

Here are two, scanned at 3600 and downsized a smidge:
https://flic.kr/p/2k6U1Wk
https://flic.kr/p/2k6UCYS

I also recently ordered a 7200U, (also $15) just to check it out. Plenty of options out there! Old Minolta scanners tend to go pretty cheap too, though I imagine they're more of a pain to use.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 15, 2020

cptrios said:
Don't discount "junky" old scanners on eBay. I picked up a Pacific Image 3650U for $15, and it works surprisingly well. It's slow (nearly 4 minutes for a 3600dpi color scan with the ICE equivalent on, nearly 2 minutes for a 3600dpi B&W scan), and not great with dark shadow detail, but it's miles and miles better than the cheapo Amazon options.

Here are two, scanned at 3600 and downsized a smidge:
https://flic.kr/p/2k6U1Wk
https://flic.kr/p/2k6UCYS

I also recently ordered a 7200U, (also $15) just to check it out. Plenty of options out there! Old Minolta scanners tend to go pretty cheap too, though I imagine they're more of a pain to use.

Nice photos. I like the BW one. It has very nice tones and very sharp. How did you process it?

cptrios · Nov 15, 2020

Alan Edward Klein said:
Nice photos. I like the BW one. It has very nice tones and very sharp. How did you process it?

Lab processed it, and not that well unfortunately. There's visible streaking in some of the other shots from that roll. Delta 100 in a Minox 35 EL, by the way. Too bad there's something scratching the base side of the film that I haven't been able to identify yet!

Best cheap scanner for 35mm film?

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