To scan or not to scan, 35mm

[S Raff]

Hi there, just came to HybridPhoto from APUG and think I'm better asking a few questions over here. I've gone from being a full digital user (high end Canon) to a film user. Due to various circumstances I've just let my medium format outfit go and now just have 35mm (Pentax ME Super). I develop BW myself with a changing bag and need to send colour off to a lab. I intend my final output to be prints up to about 12x8. I was hoping to set up a darkroom but that has been delayed for now. I came to the conclusion that a scanner would be the way forwards for now as the time, expense and quality of sending off for scans is a not ideal. Trouble is from all my resent readings is seems that the only way to get quality scans from 35mm and a home scanner is from a dedicated film scanner such as Coolscan and that flatbeds such as the V500 (my price range) etc excel better with MF/LF. I can't afford the like's of a dedicated scanner such as the Coolscan but feel reluctant to spend out on a flatbed and be unhappy with the results.

This is has led me round in a cycle wondering whether I would be better off for now selling what film based kit I have and putting that to my budget and getting a DSLR (maybe a Pentax K200D) and using my M42 Takumars. This is something I swore not to do but I'm just not shooting as much as I used to or would like to as I'm unable to get much further than a negative.

So now I've bored you all to death I'll shut up hope you my have some thoughts or advice to cheer me up before xmas.

 

[Ben Altman]

Hi,

I grew up in S. Devon; now living in upstate New York... I get back there every couple of years for a visit.

People are pretty much giving away darkroom equipment over here. Craigslist is the source. Check out the "Darkroom Portraits" thread on APUG for some inspiration about how minimal your darkroom can be.

The digital stuff is great but ever-changing. I do a lot with used equipment. Ben's Law is that the used price for equipment halves every 18 months - and a lot of 3-year-old gear works just great.

Good luck,

Ben

 

[S Raff]

Quite a jump Devon to New York... fair play to you.

Are you suggesting that a 3 year old dedicated scanner should be an option? if so any suggestions of make/model.

Thank you

 

[S Raff]

Just to add, would the new technology of say the V500 not be of comparison to a 3 year old dedicated scanner?

 

[lenny]

Just to add, would the new technology of say the V500 not be of comparison to a 3 year old dedicated scanner?

I don't think so...

Your needs are relatively small, in print size. You could easily go digital. It's more about learning how to suck the most out of either of the choices....

I went back to film myself, but I wanted to make larger prints. I also wanted to print like the old masters. Once again, it depends on what you want to accomplish...

If you want to print like Sutcliffe, it's one thing, like standard more contrasty look of most of today's photography, then its quite another...

Hope this helps....

Lenny

 

[S Raff]

I think that I have drawn the conclusion that for now I will invest in the V500 for the purpose of simply viewing my negs/trans and making the occational contact print. I'll send off anything I wish to have printed of size for pro scanning or borrow some time in a friends darkroom.