Medium Format Scanning

[trippingthelight]

Hi,

I just want to find out the following from more seasoned MF users:

1. The cheapest "acceptable" MF scanner that I can get my hands on is an Epson V750. And with betterscanning.com's holders and ANR glass, you can get pretty good scans. Of course if you can do wet scanning it will definitely be better. But I am not sure they sell the liquid in Singapore. Very flammable. Is this the cheapest way to scan MF? I know you can send it out to be scanned but over the long term it is not so cheap. Also most shops do not have anything better than the Epson V750.

2. The more expensive way is to get a used Nikon 8000 or 9000 scanner. You probably got to pay close to $2000-3000 for a used one versus less than $1000 for an Epson V750 used. The Nikons are very good scanners but the learning curves are long and Nikon no longer support the 8000 and a check with local Nikon office informed me that the 9000 will no longer be serviced by them after 2015. The other scanner is the Plustek OpticFilm 120 which is on Plustek's website but I have not been able to find someone in Singapore that carries it. The reports on this scanner are mixed at best. So no sure if it is that good. Also, it is rumored to be around $2500 brand new. Not that cheap but Plustek will support it. Anyone has anyone experience with the Plustek 120 and know where to buy one?

3. The top of the line will be drum scanning. When I was living in the US, a drum scan image cost US$20. You only do this for photos that you want to print in very large format. I don't think anyone in Singapore has one or offer a service?

Thanks!

 

[hiroko]

I'm currently using Epson V700 for scanning my MF film , the image come out wasnt much detail (sharpness) at 100%. Until the moment i meet Chiifei from Chiff Camera , he just recently bought a plustek 120 scanner. it impress me with the scan result by just a 35mm negative. By 100% looking at the picture it was so much detail and sharpness in there. Singapore do have distributor for Plustek as well and you are right , its not cheap but is this the quality you looking for? price come with it.

If i'm not wrong Nikon scanner was OEM from Plustek it is the same machine there.

 

[time4d]

I just did a google search and I found 2 companies in Singapore that offer drum scanning. Not sure if their website is updated, though. I can't give you any advice on scanners, but I can share with you my experience so far.

As for the Plustek OpticFilm 120, I sent two 120 negative frames to a photolab near my place to get it scanned at 5300dpi resolution. I got back 60-75mb images at around 11625x11708 resolution. I then compared them with the noobish 3200dpi scan of the same negatives that I personally did on an Epson V700 scanner (with the default 120 film holder). I had to pixel-peep, and besides a difference in colour profile (obvious bluish tone on the Plustek), I couldn't really tell the difference between the two. I actually preferred the Epson scan, because the bluish tone on the Plustek made my model's skin look horrible.

Sorry to confuse you with the seemingly conflicting experience. Let me know if you want to compare the two images for yourself and I'll send it to you.

 

[kgston]

If you interested in the wet mounting fluid, I have a few bottles from ScanScience that I no longer plan to use. I can sell you at cost if you are keen.

 

[trippingthelight]

Thank you all for the information.

Kgston, are you still in the scanning business? I will consider buying the liquid from you if that is the direction I want to go.

I will go down to Chiff Camera and look at their Plustek 120 to see if it is worth the price you pay for this scanner. The bluish tone of Plustek is a concern.

 

[kgston]

Yupp, I am.. Sure thing