Epson V700 - Is it for me?

igmolinav · Jul 20, 2023

Hi,

A friend is selling me his scanner. It is an Epson V700 scanner.
He is upgrading to an Epson V850.

I am interested in the Epson V700 that he is selling because:

*I had been saving myself for an Epson V850 since the V700
is not produced anymore, and this could be a good technical
option / solution for my needs.

*His offer seems attractive to me since I just want to have low
resolution scans for internet use. For example: If I happen to like
enough any of the scans as to print them (at a maximal size of,
say, 8x10"), I would only need to rescan the negs to a higher
resolution. So, technically seems interesting because it would do
the job and perhaps relatively fast.

*It may do the scans within a moderate and not long time frames.

*The price may be good.

We haven't spoken price yet. The scanner looks good and
comes from a person I trust.

I have some questions for you:

Is there a lot of practical difference between an Epson V700
and an Epson V850?

For the needs I have: scanning negs for instagram and/or
whatsapp use, and scanning negs mostly for prints sized:
4x5", 4x6", 5x7", and 8x10", is the scanner good enough?

What price would you suggest for such an scanner? It is
in good condition and it has been some years with him.

I appreciate very much your coments and answers!

Thank you very much in advance : )!!!

Ig

Les Sarile · Jul 20, 2023

For 35mm only or other formats too?
You might also consider the 4990 which was the model before the V700. Very similar performance specially if there is a good price difference.
As I understand it, the V800 went with LEDs which makes it faster.
I don't know where you are but also keep an eye out at the Epson site as they do sell refurbished.

igmolinav · Jul 21, 2023

Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

I will mainly be using 35mm.

Two persons I know in my city allow me
every two months to shoot with their
cameras. One medium format, the other
large format.

Thank you for telling me about the 4990.
I will take a look into it.

I don't mind if the scans take a bit longer.
I hope I can do something in between scans
if they take a couple or a few minutes each.

He has mentioned today that he would like
$340-$350(usd) for the scanner. He said it
in a way, I feel, like there may be margin for
a bit of negotiation. What do you think? For
$340-$350, do you think is a good price, or
should I try to bring it lower?

Thank you again, very kind regards!

Ig : )!!!

koraks · Jul 21, 2023

igmolinav said:
I don't mind if the scans take a bit longer.

I don't think a V800 is much faster than a 4990 in terms of the actual scanning speed. It's mostly that the lamp on the 4990 needs to warm up when you start scanning and this takes a minute or two.

Eric Klingberg · Jul 21, 2023

For 35mm, I recommend getting a dedicated 35mm scanner or using camera scanning. I got lucky and bought a Nikon Coolscan 5000ED for a good price. I've also used a Minolta Dimage 5400 too, which was great. My philosophy is to splurge on a scanner up front, so you won't feel the need to rescan things in the future.

Bronson Dugnutt · Jul 21, 2023

Eric Klingberg said:
For 35mm, I recommend getting a dedicated 35mm scanner or using camera scanning. I got lucky and bought a Nikon Coolscan 5000ED for a good price. I've also used a Minolta Dimage 5400 too, which was great. My philosophy is to splurge on a scanner up front, so you won't feel the need to rescan things in the future.

Alan Edward Klein · Jul 21, 2023

A dedicated 35mm scanner won't help you when you want to scan medium or large format. The V700 is suppose to be a good scanner. The 4990 is an older unit. Make sure you get all the film holders too. Make sure you have the transportation carrier "locked" before moving to prevent damage. There's a procedure. See manual pdf linked below. Price seems competitive compared to ebay prices and your trust your friend. Also check it out in his house to see how it works. Good luck.
ebay prices for comparison https://www.ebay.com/b/Epson-V700/11205/bn_7023371042
Manual check under Mainenance section to see how to transport. https://files.support.epson.com/pdf/prv7ph/prv7phug.pdf

Rolleiflexible · Jul 21, 2023

igmolinav said:
For the needs I have: scanning negs for instagram and/or
whatsapp use, and scanning negs mostly for prints sized:
4x5", 4x6", 5x7", and 8x10", is the scanner good enough?

The V700 is more than enough for your needs. I use the older 4990 to scan negatives to make enlarged digital negatives -- a more demanding application -- and it serves me well enough. If you trust the seller, grab it.

Les Sarile · Jul 21, 2023

Eric Klingberg said:
For 35mm, I recommend getting a dedicated 35mm scanner or using camera scanning. I got lucky and bought a Nikon Coolscan 5000ED for a good price. I've also used a Minolta Dimage 5400 too, which was great. My philosophy is to splurge on a scanner up front, so you won't feel the need to rescan things in the future.

I agree that if the OP can find a Coolscan V or 5000 at a compelling price then they can potentially provide an even better scanning experience for 35mm.

blee1996 · Jul 21, 2023

I have a v700 since its release and Nikon coolscan v for more than a year. Both are similar in price on the used market.

V700 is adequate for 35mm, and excellent for medium and large format. Coolscan V is definitely better in resolution and dynamic range for 35mm.

V700 is faster: you can load 24 frames of 35mm frames in one go.

Ideally you can have both, but starting with v700 is a reasonable choice. I did it that way.

igmolinav · Jul 21, 2023

koraks said:
I don't think a V800 is much faster than a 4990 in terms of the actual scanning speed. It's mostly that the lamp on the 4990 needs to warm up when you start scanning and this takes a minute or two.

Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

That is nice to know in a way. That the time in between may not be much shorter on an Epson V800, and I assume too on an Epson V850. I guess I'll only need to attach a "little string" of perhaps small things to do in between scans.

Thank you again, kind regards,

Ig : )!!!

Alan Edward Klein · Jul 21, 2023

The V850 comes with two film holders in each format. That way you can be setting up the next scan while the current scan is working. The V850 holders also have glass built in to keep the film flat. That's Ok but it also gives two more surfaces for dust. The V850 holders have height adjustments to maximize focus. Not sure about the V700/750 holders. Having said all that, getting a used but workable V700 for $350 seems like a good deal. A new V850 is $1300. Even refurbished from Epson, they're $1000.

igmolinav · Jul 21, 2023

Eric Klingberg said:
For 35mm, I recommend getting a dedicated 35mm scanner or using camera scanning. I got lucky and bought a Nikon Coolscan 5000ED for a good price. I've also used a Minolta Dimage 5400 too, which was great. My philosophy is to splurge on a scanner up front, so you won't feel the need to rescan things in the future.

Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

Usually, when given the chance to shoot medium and large format with the cameras I have mentioned you,
I usually shoot two rolls of 120 and four to eight sheets in 4x5". There is no lab in my city for 4x5". This
guy sends his 4x5" to be scanned. The local lab scans 35mm. and 120 at a tad expensive price. That is
money, I think often, that could be saved and allocated to a scanner.

Thank you again, kind regards,

Ig : )!!!

igmolinav · Jul 21, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
The V850 comes with two film holders in each format. That way you can be setting up the next scan while the current scan is working. The V850 holders also have glass built in to keep the film flat. That's Ok but it also gives two more surfaces for dust. The V850 holders have height adjustments to maximize focus. Not sure about the V700/750 holders. Having said all that, getting a used but workable V700 for $350 seems like a good deal. A new V850 is $1300. Even refurbished from Epson, they're $1000.

Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

It doesn't come with extra holders, only with one set. Hopefully film will stay flat when using the scanner. I don't usually take film to the lab to be scanned right away. I don't always have the chance. That allows me to get the film stripes inside the 'pockets' of those Print File archival plastic sheets. Then I'll place a couple of heavy books to sit on the negatives in the Print Files. That way, with the heavy books, they get very flat.

Yes, it seems like a good price. I was checking the prices from the link you sent me and they are similar.

Thank you again, kind regards,

Ig : )!!!

igmolinav · Jul 21, 2023

Rolleiflexible said:
The V700 is more than enough for your needs. I use the older 4990 to scan negatives to make enlarged digital negatives -- a more demanding application -- and it serves me well enough. If you trust the seller, grab it.

Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

Yes, I'll talk to him once again. I will also do some scans with him, and finally purchase it if everything works out well.

Thank you again, kind regards,

Ig : )!!!

Rolleiflexible · Jul 21, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Having said all that, getting a used but workable V700 for $350 seems like a good deal. A new V850 is $1300. Even refurbished from Epson, they're $1000.

FWIW, beware Epson refurbs. I bought a new P900 printer that was damaged in transit. Epson shipped a refurbished printer as a replacement. It, and the four additional refurbished printers that followed, all had paper path and print head malfunctions that required returns and replacement. The sixth time, Epson finally shipped a new replacement printer that (so far) works.

My guess (echoed by Epson customer service) is that the cursory bench test that Epson conducts on returned units probably isn't thorough enough to catch many problems that led to the unit's return to Epson.

I give Epson the very highest marks for responsive telephone support and commitment to fixing my problem. But NEVER EVER get a refurbished Epson product and expect it to work as a new unit would.

Eric Klingberg · Jul 21, 2023

igmolinav said:
Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

Usually, when given the chance to shoot medium and large format with the cameras I have mentioned you,
I usually shoot two rolls of 120 and four to eight sheets in 4x5". There is no lab in my city for 4x5". This
guy sends his 4x5" to be scanned. The local lab scans 35mm. and 120 at a tad expensive price. That is
money, I think often, that could be saved and allocated to a scanner.

Thank you again, kind regards,

Ig : )!!!

Glad I could help! I have a Epson V750 which is pretty good. If you do get a flatbed scanner, look into different film holder approaches. Keeping film flat is pretty important to make sure the entire negative is in focus.

Tel · Jul 21, 2023

igmolinav said:
Yes, I'll talk to him once again. I will also do some scans with him, and finally purchase it if everything works out well.

I think it's a good decision, pending your analysis of working condition. That's a good price and the V700 is a very good scanner. I'd been using one for many years with no issues but recently upgraded to V850 when I got my tax refund. The 850 is faster to warm up and runs quietly and maybe renders the image a little better (but I haven't done any microscopic comparisons and don't feel the need to). I haven't tried the fluid mount yet. (Edit: just ordered one; it doesn't come as standard issue with the scanner.)

Marcelo Paniagua · Jul 21, 2023

Currently have a V700 and a Plustek 8100. I use V700 for all my medium and large format scanning and I really like the results I get from it. For 35mm I prefer the Plustek.

Les Sarile · Jul 22, 2023

igmolinav said:
Thank you for your message : )!!!

Yes, I'll talk to him once again. I will also do some scans with him, and finally purchase it if everything works out well.

Thank you again, kind regards,

Ig : )!!!

Definitely a worthwhile exercise. You should scan the same frames you've had scanned from the lab for comparison.

Since 4X5 is something you would scan, here's one from a colleague of mine whose father was a combat photographer in WW II. He inherited these from his dad and wanted to see the results from a V700. I simply put the film directly on the glass. He was pleased with the results from this and a few others I scanned for him. Full res 2400dpi result is posted.

Don Miller 2400-005 by Les DMess, on Flickr

igmolinav · Jul 24, 2023

Eric Klingberg said:
Glad I could help! I have a Epson V750 which is pretty good. If you do get a flatbed scanner, look into different film holder approaches. Keeping film flat is pretty important to make sure the entire negative is in focus.

Hi Eric,

Thank you : )!!! Yes, I'll keep the film flat! It is very important!

Kind regards,

Ig : )!!!

250swb · Jul 25, 2023

I now only use my V700 for occasional low res scans making digital contact sheets.

From the sample low res images I edit and choose the few to rescan at a vastly higher resolution than the V700 (or dedicated scanner) can achieve by using a Nikon Z7 and micro lens, and this is so for 35mm, MF, and large format. But 24mp is plenty for 35mm so if you ever envisage doing any high resolution scanning perhaps think of a camera instead of a V700, with a camera it takes less time than a V700 per roll of 36 especially if the V700 is doing higher resolution, the camera is tens of minutes quicker. Scanning, editing, rescanning to a higher res just two or three rolls and you can save an hour or more with a camera, or simply photograph them all as RAW files and invest in a bigger hard drive.

igmolinav · Jul 25, 2023

Marcelo Paniagua said:
Currently have a V700 and a Plustek 8100. I use V700 for all my medium and large format scanning and I really like the results I get from it. For 35mm I prefer the Plustek.

Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

One more vote of confidence for the Epson V700.

Thank you again, kind regards!

igmolinav · Jul 25, 2023

250swb said:
I now only use my V700 for occasional low res scans making digital contact sheets.

From the sample low res images I edit and choose the few to rescan at a vastly higher resolution than the V700 (or dedicated scanner) can achieve by using a Nikon Z7 and micro lens, and this is so for 35mm, MF, and large format. But 24mp is plenty for 35mm so if you ever envisage doing any high resolution scanning perhaps think of a camera instead of a V700, with a camera it takes less time than a V700 per roll of 36 especially if the V700 is doing higher resolution, the camera is tens of minutes quicker. Scanning, editing, rescanning to a higher res just two or three rolls and you can save an hour or more with a camera, or simply photograph them all as RAW files and invest in a bigger hard drive.

Hi,

Thank you for your message : )!!!

That seems amazing! I mean, I had heard of people scanning 35mm. film with a digital camera, but scanning medium and large format, that is something I had not heard of before. How do your scans, specially in the larger formats, come out?

Thank you again, kind regards!

igmolinav · Jul 25, 2023

Rolleiflexible said:
FWIW, beware Epson refurbs. I bought a new P900 printer that was damaged in transit. Epson shipped a refurbished printer as a replacement. It, and the four additional refurbished printers that followed, all had paper path and print head malfunctions that required returns and replacement. The sixth time, Epson finally shipped a new replacement printer that (so far) works.

My guess (echoed by Epson customer service) is that the cursory bench test that Epson conducts on returned units probably isn't thorough enough to catch many problems that led to the unit's return to Epson.

I give Epson the very highest marks for responsive telephone support and commitment to fixing my problem. But NEVER EVER get a refurbished Epson product and expect it to work as a new unit would.

Hi,

Thank you : )!!! Good point when buying an Epson either used or refurbished.

Thank you again, kind regards!

Epson V700 - Is it for me?

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