DIY Scans: How to get the "best" from 35mm / 120mm

[JWMster]

I'm currently using a Plustek 8200i and I'd rate it "good place to start" for doing it myself/yourself.

My ideal scanner would do both 35 and 120 negatives (I don't have a 120 camera, but dual purpose would mean a bigger market, and maybe better quality would be more affordable). I'd prefer a unit with some sort of multi-frame or auto-feed so that scans could be implemented without 100% babysitting through the whole process to give RAW, editable output (TIFF or preferably DNG). Compatible software would simply accomplish the scan and assume adjustment would be done in post-processing. I'm currently using Vuescan but wouldn't rule out Silverfast - I've not heard anything inspiring about either, and heard negative comments on support by both as well. Having missed the Nikon Coolscan era and not ever going to crank the $'s into this for a Hasselblad scanner, I'm curious what folks are using and doing for themselves here in 2017.

One unit that looks interesting is the Braun FS120 but there sure doesn't seem to be a lot of folks using and writing about this. Nikon Coolscans are available on the used (eBay) market... but service could be an issue. Ditto for any new unit of course. Appreciate any feedback on your experience, recommendations, "avoids", etc.

 

[L Gebhardt]

I use a drum scanner or a DSLR with macro lens for 35mm film. Both give excellent and very similar results. Neither is automated.

 

[John_M_King]

Bite the bullet for 35mm pay for a used Nikon LS5 or LS50 scanner. D Max of 4.2, ability to scan using RAW with an absolutely superb lens. I would not sell mine for double what I paid for it. Or pay a lot more for the LS8000 or LS9000. Quite stunning all of them.

They are on a much higher plane than any flatbed and will knock any of the Plustec models into the rough.

 

[John_M_King]

Bite the bullet for 35mm pay for a used Nikon LS5 or LS50 scanner. D Max of 4.2, ability to scan using RAW with an absolutely superb lens. I would not sell mine for double what I paid for it. Or pay a lot more for the LS8000 or LS9000. Quite stunning all of them.

They are on a much higher plane than any flatbed and will knock any of the Plustec models into the rough.

 

[JWMster]

Started down the road with a camera on an enlarger stand. Didn't have the patience to "solve" that, so bought the Plustek... which works decently (to be fair). Probably everyone "needs" a quick and dirty "proof" scanner, and while not as quick as it could be, it works. The next stage though, from the reviews of even these old Nikon machines... is that these are midgrade. Yes, better than the Plustek, but more expensive by some measure and with limited repair options. I have found silverfast software doggone good, and if it works with the old Nikons, then that might be a next step. But only "might" because using a digital camera is getting more and more attention. See Luminous Landscape articles in 2016 on this. And my Sony A7RII could do a real good job... no doubt. Quesiton of speed and quality and I have to say that all the digital camera approaches need a "jig" of some sort for the film and camera, but it shouldn't be hard to repurpose enlarger gear more effectively than my first attempt So thanks for the sugggestions... I'm still studying the issues, and yes it will take some study to figure the "best" next step, but yes, it's better to push in this direction than toward MF or some other camera as a next upgrade. Focus on finishing the film output rather than anything else. THank you... maybe it doesn't sound that way, but I do mean it that way. Easy to let go and forget the importance of this step and get lost in gear.