Betterscanning mounting station

[Deleted member 88956]

Would appreciate latest experiences with BetterScanning mounting station in both dry and wet use on Epson V800 (or clones). While it appears a piece of AN glass shimmed up (which perhaps not as convenient as turning screws is still same process with either approach) would do the same for a fraction, I wonder if this is worth the splurge... comparatively.

 

[Alan9940]

I have both an older dry version with AN glass and the newer version that allows fluid mounting that I've use on an old Epson Expression 1680 Pro. I haven't used the dry version in years. The fluid mount version is nice because it enables me to put the thing together off the scanner and eliminates the possibility of scanner fluid getting into the scanner itself; I used to fluid mount directly on to the glass bed. If you take the time to zero-in the height adjustment via the screws--though they are fiddly--I think it provides the best scans you can obtain with your particular scanner. No experience with the OEM holders for the V800, but the BetterScanning units are certainly superior to the Epson holders.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Thanks Alan. One thing I'm not clear on (we're discussing mounting station not any other format specific holders), what is the difference between dry and wet configuration on it? I thought in either case film is mounted to the bottom of mount's glass plate. Is he providing different glass plates for dry/wet s ince price is quite a bit more for double version?

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Using betterscanning mounting station for wet scan. This one does not show scanning, just fluid mounting, but at least it appears that the glass plate is different for dry/wet vs. wet only, but is just one supplied with one side for wet, the other for dry (meaning the wet option only has just plain glass). Is that it?

Vuescan and wet mount here he does a pretty good job scanning with Vuescan. Appears nice results from V700.

 

[Alan9940]

The dry version I have is from many, many years ago...I'm pretty sure it's the original (and only, at the time) BetterScanning solution. Nowadays, and you'll certainly want to review the website to be sure about this, the current version can be bought to do wet mounting only or both wet/dry mounting. The wet version includes a simple piece of glass, while the dry include AN glass. I was only interested in the wet version because I already had one for dry scanning. Plus, in my experience I've always gotten better scans doing wet mounting. I wet mount everything from 35mm to 8x10. I've had a love/hate relationship with Vuescan for nearly 20 years, but many folks use it. I much prefer Silverfast.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

The dry version I have is from many, many years ago...I'm pretty sure it's the original (and only, at the time) BetterScanning solution. Nowadays, and you'll certainly want to review the website to be sure about this, the current version can be bought to do wet mounting only or both wet/dry mounting. The wet version includes a simple piece of glass, while the dry include AN glass. I was only interested in the wet version because I already had one for dry scanning. Plus, in my experience I've always gotten better scans doing wet mounting. I wet mount everything from 35mm to 8x10. I've had a love/hate relationship with Vuescan for nearly 20 years, but many folks use it. I much prefer Silverfast.

And which mounting fluid do you use?

I'm fine with VueScan, and I need its versatility for multi scanners anyways.

 

[Alan9940]

And which mounting fluid do you use?

Kami from Aztek.