Scanner Comparisons

[donbga]

Since there have been a few scanner related posts lately Hybrid Forum members may wish to visit this website for visual comparisons of several different scanners scanning different films:

http://shutterflower.com/scanner comparison.htm

Enjoy!

Don Bryant

 

[ctscanner]

Thanks for the information. I have been looking into this forum almost daily to see if there is anything new on the Microtek Artixscan M1. My current scanner is pretty much defunct so I am looking for a new one.

George

 

[Pinholemaster]

Thanks for the post.

Unfortunately none of my scanners are on this list.

Oh well.

 

[claudermilk]

Thanks. While the scanner that has my most intense interest isn't there, some close relatives are. Looks like from the limited samples (I'm looking mainly at 120 B&W), my intended path of a good flatbed is a good one.

 

[lenny]

Thanks. While the scanner that has my most intense interest isn't there, some close relatives are. Looks like from the limited samples (I'm looking mainly at 120 B&W), my intended path of a good flatbed is a good one.

If you can afford it, get a drum scanner.

Of course, this depends on the kind of results you want. Are you shooting fine art, commercial, both? Do you prefer b&w or color, what size prints would you like to be able to do?

I find those scan comparisons very difficult to decipher - for real world results.

Everyone wants an easy answer. There isn't one.

Lenny Eiger
EigerStudios

 

[claudermilk]

A drum scanner is nowhere near in the picture. Even the Coolscans are out of my budget. Keep in mind I've invested under $400 so far in my film system & it's an experiment so far. Keeping costs low is part of the plan & even the flatbeds I'm looking at will triple the costs so far.

In my playing so far, I'm leaning towards sticking to B&W, and am even a bit overwhelmed on the choices in film there. This will be "fine art" primarily for my own enjoyment--though as with most hopefully that will grow beyond that status. I'll print at large as the image will take, though the majority will be 8x10 or so; I have the capability to get fairly large size with an HP130 (price was an "are you kidding me? too cheap, gotta buy it" opportunity).

In any case, circumstances have push any near-term plans to buy a scanner back a while, so I have plenty of time to look at reviews & theorize...

 

[Greg_E]

HP130 + black and white prints=massive metamerism and constant headache to keep the prints neutral. They will make an average B/W print, but to get to the next level you really need a printer that has more than one black/gray ink. For the level of just starting it might be OK, and if the price was cheap enough then there is little lost as it makes some decent glossy color prints. But no matter what people say outstanding B/W prints are really just about impossible on that printer.

Use the black only method and deal with the "grainy" print is the best way.

 

[claudermilk]

Oh fine, burst my bubble! The price was good enough there's no loss & it can certainly do nice color. Limited funds means I have to a) make do with the 130 or my little old i950 or b) order prints from a pro lab. When I get picky & have more money, I'll look at better B&W printers. OK, back to topic....

 

[GREGGAN]

Maybe this review would be interesting for you?
Canon 8800F vs Canon 9950F vs Canon FS4000

 

[IloveTLRs]

I have the 8600F. I bought it last year in March for less than $200 (20,000)
I scan 35mm B&W, color negatives and slides. I also do 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7 and 6x9 and I'm more than satisfied with the results. I'm not a pro, nor am I a production house. I'm just a hobbyist.

I looked into getting a Coolscan but they were far too expensive for me.