Which scanner?

[Jim Chinn]

Now that APUG has a gallery I think i will take the step and buy a new scanner. I am blissfully ignorant about current scanner options and would like any input. Want to be able to scan negatives as well as prints and keep the cost under $500. 4x5 maximum film size, prints up to 8x10.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[bmac]

I have a HP 5370c and while it does an ok job with prints, it is awful with negs. Don't get a 5000 series HP unless you are able to test it thoroughly.

Brian

 

[Nige]

I have a Epson 1640 that is a flatbed with Transparency Adaptor that will scan up to 4x5. It does a pretty good job (even with 35mm for web display) and there's newer/better versions. I think the model is called a 2450 or something... you could search photo.net, lots of discussion on the topic there

I must add that I don't print anything B&W via scanning, but I have printed a few colour things (on a Canon S900 - A4 sized) and they have come out pretty good from 645 negs.

 

[glbeas]

I have an Epson 1640 SU also and I use it for a digital darkroom when I'm doing color negs to prints and it seems to do a pretty good job. It will do 9600 dpi optical and a few steps beyond interpolated so I can do a decent job on 35mm film. Still doesn't compare to a silver print though!

BTW because of the newer models coming out the prices on these have plummeted where you can find them.