Epson Perfection V600?

I started shooting film relatively recently and I don't really know what I'm doing. Until now, I've been scanning prints of my photos using a flatbed scanner, but I know I'd get a much better result if I were to scan the negatives instead. I think it's probably time for me to take the leap and buy a proper negative scanner, but I don't really know what I'm looking for. I've heard good things about the Epson Perfection V600, but I thought I'd post here before I try and hunt down a used one. My budget is ~$200ish. Any thoughts on this model or suggestions of alternatives would be much appreciated.

If you are shooting 35mm then you may find that one of the Plustek scanners actually do a better job with 35mm negatives.

That being said however, I use an Epson V500 and find it works great for me. Since I also shoot quite a bit of medium format it is more flexible.

Why don't get yourself an enlarger? This budget is enough for one, some papers and (depending on where EARTH is) some cash to spare. An enlarger will give you much better results and much, a lot more, fun.

For a darkroom any room that you can put something on the window and door works, I print in my bedroom with black cloth tapped to the windows and doors and bring water in buckets.

For me film without wet printing in like pasta without cheese...

I use a v600 better for 120 film than 35 mm.

You can check my FLICKR for samples. What kind of format film are you using?

I also use a v600 for all of my 35mm and 120 scans, flickr link in my signature.

v500

I have an Epson Perfection V500 Photo scanner and get fabulous scans from 35mm and 120 film. It took me a year of futzing around with it but I am more than happy with the results. I have exhibited large prints at two art galleries since learning how to tweak this scanner. I went to a guy who really knew how to scan negs and watched him and that was a real education. There is a lot to learn. Oh, I have a wet darkroom, too.

Thanks, everyone.

Pioneer said:

If you are shooting 35mm

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At the moment I'm working with both 35mm and 110.

kazuo said:

Why don't get yourself an enlarger?

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I didn't know what that was when I read your post, but after some rudimentary web-searching I think I understand. Sounds like what I'd need to do is use the enlarger to make a projection of the negative and then photograph the negative? Is that correct? Interesting.

I do have a space (bathroom) which I could theoretically turn into a shoehorned kind of darkroom... hm...

kazuo said:

(depending on where EARTH is)

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This made me laugh. California

kazuo said:

An enlarger will give you much better results and much, a lot more, fun.

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To clarify: does "much better" mean higher quality, better contrast...? Again, I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't know much yet so if the enlarger route would be significantly more complex and confusing then I think I'd better just stick with getting a scanner. But I'm intrigued nonetheless.

Forrest,

This is an Analog/film only forum. We all all film/darkroom enthusiasts. Scanner discussions are only allowed in relations to scanning one's film product and posting it on a gallery. Discussion of scanners themselves or stuff only relating to digital anything is prohibited. My suggestion to you is, not go too far into your enlarger teasing or argue against it.... you may find yourself in, shall we say, "uncomfortable" position really quickly. Moderators and site owners are not shy about this policy.

That said, I use EPSON V500. It does pretty well but there's ONE negative. (pun NOT intended)

That is, if your film has tendency to curl, or say not dry flat, it can touch the glass plate. There's nothing in between bracing for this long rectangular window that'll cover 5 frames. That will result in newton rings. Very prominent ones. I run into this often with my own scanning (for the purpose of posting on gallery, of course). If you are considering EPSON line of scanners, you may want to keep this in mind. I know there are third party film holders that proclaims to solve this. I have not tested them myself.

Try dpug.org or rangefinderforum.com for scanning and other digitalizing related topics. As others noted, the focus here is more on making traditional prints with light sensitive paper, chemicals, etc.