Film scanner

[_dobbo_]

Having been scared witless by film processing cost for my first couple of 35mm films, I'm looking at scanning options.

Seems "proper" film scanners are in the region of £200 up to £1000, all way outside my meagre budget.

On the other hand cheapo flatbeds like a £40 Canon 4400f claim to be able to scan 35mm negatives.

Anyone using a cheaper scanner to good effect? If I can avoid printing costs and just get my films developed I can just about afford to continue with my foray into using film cameras!

[darthdicky]

I've got a SCSI Epson Perfection 1200s and was fairly impressed with it with the transparency/film attachment, but it's been a good few years since I used film last. Good for getting your photos on the PC but probably doesn't quite compare to professionally scanned ones (I never had any done properly so can't compare)

I'm selling mine if you're interested? Doubt they're worth much now as USB ones have become so cheap.

[jackal]

i will have a monilta scan dual IV up for sale soon as im upgrading

it works well and was comparable to the Nikon IV ED in its day

i have plenty of scanned examples to show if need be

[stigmundfreud]

I use an Epson 4490 photo for 35mm scanning. Its very good for the price plus acts as a normal scanner too

[Zad]

I have an Epson Perfection 1640SU with plug-in lightbox for scanning transparencies. 1600dpi does seem to be about the practical limit for flatbed scanning of transparencies. The limiting factor is the glass which degrades any image (although only microscopically, it really shows up on high res stuff like negs).

It is fine for creating a decent catalogue and for printing 6x4s or so but 10x8 will start to look a bit iffy.

[_dobbo_]

Cheers for the info chaps. I've managed to lay my grubby mitts on a borrowed Epson so I'll be giving that a go.