Inexpensive scanners

[Jorge Oliveira]

I like my final prints in 24x30 cm.
My flatbed scanner is A4 size (correct lenght, but shorter width), so if I want to post a photo, I have to make a smaller copy also.

I wonder if it's worthwhile to purchase one of the used, inexpensive (circa US$50) negative scanners that shows up on Ebay from time to time, just for B&W Internet postings.
(for color I have an Coopix 2000, used mostly at parties, etc)

Any suggestions or the really cheap ones are useless?

Thanks,

Jorge O

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

Oh, and i only use 35mm.

 

[bmac]

Forget buying a cheap film scanner. All that I have tried are truly junk. Use your coolpix and take a photo of the finished print. Adjust in PS to tweak it back to what it is supposed to look like.

Brian

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If you have a SCSI card, one of the better older 35mm film scanners is probably pretty cheap by now, like the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual (I), which I have or the comparable Nikon or Polaroid 35mm film scanner from about 4-5 years ago.

 

[Jeremy]

I agree with David about the scsi card scanners. I picked up a Minolta Dimage Scan Elite for ~$200 4 or 5 months ago. 2900 dpi and digital ice.

 

[Robert]

Anybody know how bad/good the Microtek ScanMaker 5900 is? I've heard some nice things about it.

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

Brian

Thanks, that's a nice idea.
Just did a quick and dirty test, and it's promissing.
And if it doesn't go, I will look for a SCSI board for my PC...

Thanks, guys

Jorge O

 

[Nige]

I use a Epson 1640su flatbed with transparency adaptor for web scans and the occasional colour inkjet print. I can show you examples of 35mm ones (most of my online images will be 645)

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

Brian

Take a look at the critique gallery - photo name is YOU!

Thanks for the idea.

This is a very old print (1971) and the neg was lost ))-:

This print (and other 2) were made in Gekko paper and I don't know what went wrong - but they lost contrast and have a yellow/green tone...

So I've refixed them (dunno if it helps), rewashed throughly and stuck it, wet in a wall.

Placed the Coolpix in a tripod, enhanced it a bit (I don't have PS) et voila!
It looks better than the original.

Jorge O

 

[removed account4]

hi jorge:

i have been using a umax 2100 u with the transparency adapter for 4 years. lots of folks dis-
the scanner, but seems to work okay, haven't hd any problems ( knock wood!) every once in a while i do a search with google to see if anyone is still selling it, and once in a while it is still for sale for about $50 usd, the adapter is large enough to scan 4x5 ... and we got ours for $100usd ..
it isnt' a rolls royce, but it ain't a yugo either

-john

 

[Jeremy]

I have an Acer Scanpremio ST as my flatbed scanner and it came with the scsi card. I think it cost me ~$100