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Thread ID: 112192 2010-08-27 04:40:00 Negative scanner philkiwi (8651) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1132138 2010-08-27 04:40:00 Does anyone know where I can get a decent scanner for black and white negatives? I have tried a Veho VSF-004 but the results were very dark with hardly any detail. I have hundreds of b&w negs which I want to put onto my PC. philkiwi (8651)
1132139 2010-08-27 05:59:00 Have you tried any flatbeds - perhaps off someone you know or maybe by taking your laptop and a usb cable to a shop and they let you demo it?
You can download the driver software at home and go prepared.

See if you like the flatbeds. People can be picky with scanners. Failing that you may want to look on Trademe, I doubt anyone can let you demo it b/c Nikon NZ does not import anymore in. In the USA the only model that is still being manufacturered is the medium format version which can also scan 35mm size. Won't be long til that's a goner too. Canon and Minolta have already quit the dedicated film scanners for some yrs.

You may want to consider outsourcing the job.
Nomad (952)
1132140 2010-08-27 11:42:00 My friend has a flatbed Canon with the negative attachment.

Works really well, but I can't remember the model number.
Agent_24 (57)
1132141 2010-08-27 11:52:00 I have a mate who has one of these and I've seen very good results.

www.ascent.co.nz
Snorkbox (15764)
1132142 2010-08-27 21:27:00 depends what you expectations are.

you could get $800 flatbed scanners. the real resolution might only be 1,000 dpi for flatbeds. if you are into photography, even a 6 megapixel digital SLR will be sharper than a flatbed scanner scanning at 4,000 dpi. 4,000 does not add any real detail other than file size - ref: photo pro's and hobbyist off their articles. i've got the Epson V700 but got that for more large format which I hope to get into (sheet film).

you might as well get something like a Nikon Coolscan IV or V, the V does 4,000 dpi dedicated scanner, the IV does, 2,500 I think, pro's have used these for publication. they are around $400 on TM I guess, when they were new they were about $800-1000. if you are gonna spend $800 for a scanner you mind as well hunt down a dedicated scanner.

i've asked pro's, press/printery consultants (guess speakers) at my camera club. if you are shooting 35mm flatbeds might not be enough that is you are submitting prints for competitions, exhibitions. if you are shooting larger formats like medium format they should be okay but then again there are some people who will only want the best and won't settle less than a medium format dedicated scanner. some of them even want a Imacon Drum Scanner.

re: darker images. generally speaking flatbeds do have that. the dmax isn't so ideal. b/c with a flatbed it's just sitting on the glass plate, the focus might not be as sharp. so they have fixed focus. some flatbed manufactuers have plastic / rubber feet that you stick on the film holders - diff sizes like 1mm or 2mm or 3mm etc etc .. so you can do your own tests and see which size you prefer. dedicated scanners will have a auto (and manual) focus ability when it scans each shot.
Nomad (952)
1132143 2010-08-27 21:30:00 Project them onto the wall or screen whatever you use and then set your digital camera up on a tripod and re photo them it's cheap and gives reasonable results also it's quick gary67 (56)
1132144 2010-08-28 00:07:00 I have a Digitech XC4881 slide/negative scanner. Have used it for slides and colour negatives. It gives reasonable results. Not bad for $150. Think you can get them for $100.
:)
Trev (427)
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