Need Scanner choices

[Jim Chinn]

All right, it looks like it is time to buy a scanner. The last one I had was about 4 yrs ago. So now I reach out to pick the fruit from the APUG tree of Knowledge and Experience. Of course, as always cost is an issue. I would use it to scan 35mm up 8x10 (if that is possible for good price.) I don't know if the less expensive but quality scanners scan negs up to those sizes either. I guess i am looking at a $350. Price limit. If this amount is "wack", please let me know. If there is a scanner for $50 to $100 more that you think is a good deal, let me know.

Thanks for any and all information in advance.

 

[juan]

One place to check for bargains is Epson's site. They have a sale section which usually contains discontinued and factory reconditioned items, some very cheap. I bought my scanner that way a couple of years ago and it came with a free 4x5 negative/transparency scanner attachment.
I know from my time in retail that most returns to the factory have nothing wrong with the item - the customer just got the it home and decided to return it claiming it didn't work. The factory reconditiong consists solely of testing and repacking.
j

 

[Robert Kennedy]

For around that - $350-400, you can get an Epson Perfection 3200. This is the BEST flat-bed you can get at anything NEAR that price. Very high quality, and it scans negs up to 4x5. Plus it is firewire and VERY fast.

 

[bmac]

are you talking 8x10 prionts, or negatives? I wouldnt scan anythng smaller than 4x5 on a flatbed for anything more than small throw away prints, and web use. I have a Microtech Scanmaker 8700 pro at work and it scans up to 8x10 film in glassless carriers. It is still priced out of your range, but they are coming onto the used market. It is firewire and usb 2.0. I wouldnt waste my oey or time on a USB 1.1 scanner.

 

[ann]

I have been thinking about scanners and when doing some research it would appear that the Epson 3200 both regular and pro version have a 100 dollar rebate until the end of the year. This would place the cost 269 and 464. Check out b&H. I have not talked with my dealer yet, but i am assuming that the rebate will be valed regardless of purchase location. At least that is what the form seems to indicate, does't seem to be just for b&h customers. I have heard good things about this model.

 

[ian_greant]

I've got an Epson 3200.

Pretty darn happy with it for MF and LF neg and transparency scans.
35mm is ok for web stuff or smaller digital prints.

I've got several unedited scans sitting on my drive right now. Drop me an e-mail or PM if you'd like a sample scan.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If you want to scan 8x10" negs and transparencies, the best deal out there that I found is to get an older Agfa Duoscan (the HD is the best model, but any will do). You'll need a SCSI card, if you don't have one already, and the scanner should be under $150 depending on model and condition. I recommend scanning negs and transparencies directly on the glass plate with a sheet of anti-newton glass over it for sharpest results.

The Agfa scanner interface is the best OEM interface I've used on any scanner. You can do quite a lot of tweaking before you get to Photoshop with decent results.

Of course it may turn out to be older than your current scanner, but these were originally pretty high end pre-press machines. Something newer will be much better, but for 8x10" it's tough to find anything new under $1000.