Companies/Labs That Scan?

I've found a place that will do roll scans of film for $12, and each image is 15mp. (135/35mm) Are there any places that are cheaper/better?

I just have like 20 uncut rolls of film lying around I want to get scanned, but that $12per is just staring me in the face.

So, are there any cheaper places that will scan whole rolls? Are there any better places (even if they're more expensive)?

Thanks!

Contact Elevator (http://www.elevatordigital.ca) I know they just bought a brand new roll scanner.

Thank you.

I found a company in Canada that does 20mp scans of film...for $93USD/roll. ($3CAD/image)

OverlordXenu said:

Thank you.

I found a company in Canada that does 20mp scans of film...for $93USD/roll. ($3CAD/image)

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Yea, but what can you do with this scan? A scan is not just a scan. For 20 megapixels you can just buy a digital camera and save a lot of money.

Lenny
EigerStudios

lenny said:

Yea, but what can you do with this scan? A scan is not just a scan. For 20 megapixels you can just buy a digital camera and save a lot of money.

Lenny
EigerStudios

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Thanks for pretty much ignoring my question. Obviously, I do not want to or cannot aford digital, thus I am shooting film. Telling me to just shoot digital is a rather useless, and inflamitory, addition to my thread.

When I said $93 a roll, I was trying to imply that I thought it was insane.

OverlordXenu said:

Thanks for pretty much ignoring my question. Obviously, I do not want to or cannot aford digital, thus I am shooting film.

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Just FYI:

"Shooting film" is actually a good thing. I dont' see it as being second best by any means (unless you want to get into digital backs 50mp+).

Your 35mm frames, scanned at 4000 dpi will give you roughly a 22mp image. With your 20 rolls (and more on the way I hope) I'd suggest you seriously consider investing in a decent film scanner. Nikon LS-5000 comes to mind. They are pricey new but used you can get them for around $400-600 and with your current order, you seem to be about half way there already.

By comparison, a 22mp camera would amount to what? Either a 1D Mk3 or the new 5D MkII. Either easily costs between 5-10 times what a decent film scanner would run you, and then you're stuck lugging around a beast of a camera strapped around your neck.

Heh I don't care WHAT the "specs" say. Do that for half a day and your nifty little 35mm will be a welcomed breath of fresh air.


My $0.02 - YMMV

I plan to get the high-end Nikon eventually, ie. the one that does 135 and 120. The thing is, I am getting a 4x5 outfit soon, so I would probably get a flatbed for that...and flatbeds (like the V750) aren't nearly as good as the high-end Nikon for 135.

Of course, I would love a drum scanner but I don't have $50,000.

OverlordXenu said:

I plan to get the high-end Nikon eventually, ie. the one that does 135 and 120. The thing is, I am getting a 4x5 outfit soon, so I would probably get a flatbed for that...and flatbeds (like the V750) aren't nearly as good as the high-end Nikon for 135.

Of course, I would love a drum scanner but I don't have $50,000.

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Lots are out there from $1500-10K.... It's only the Premier and ICG380 that tend to be expensive...

Of course, if this was all about money you wouldn't photograph at all... photography is an expensive habit.

Lenny

lenny said:

Lots are out there from $1500-10K.... It's only the Premier and ICG380 that tend to be expensive...

Of course, if this was all about money you wouldn't photograph at all... photography is an expensive habit.

Lenny

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I was mostly using hyperbole, but are those drum scanners that are that cheap really better than a high-end Nikon? Is it really worth maintaining and fixing them?

OverlordXenu said:

I was mostly using hyperbole, but are those drum scanners that are that cheap really better than a high-end Nikon? Is it really worth maintaining and fixing them?

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It's a great question. I honestly think they are. It's easy to test, of course. But one will get much more shadow detail and sharpness from a drum. It always helps to use larger film, unless one's aesthetic is really a 35mm aesthetic, as in street shooting, e.g.

So many people imagine that 35mm can give them great results and it only does so when one is lucky, or printing small. Good results, sure.

Professionals should use larger film except when the type of shooting doesn't match a larger-film aesthetic. It's perfectly understandable if someone doesn't have the funds, but we are talking about great quality and a target to shoot at.

Lenny