[Leica] OT: Best Film Scanner for Black and White

[drodgers at casefarms.com (David Rodgers)]

That's the same setup I use; a first version Dimage II for 35mm and an
Epson 1600 Expression for larger formats. As someone mentioned earlier,
scanning isn't just plug and play if you want really good results. I'm
not sure that I've gotten the most out of either scanner, even though
I've been using both for years. 

I thought about getting a Nikon 8000, or even an Imacon. I even passed
on a inexpensive used 8000 with glass carriers a couple of years back
(which I sort of regret). Truth is that I'm just not that committed to
film scanning. I'd rather use my D3 to make enlargements from 120 and
4x5, rather than go the scanning route. If I'm going to scan and make
small prints from larger formats, the Epson still works just fine. I use
a glass neg carrier -- the one I use on my D3 -- when I do critical
scanning (versus proofs) on the Epson flatbed. It does make a
difference. 

I don't really like to mix digital and analog. It's one or the other
from start to finish. I enjoy the analog process. More effort, but
sometimes worth it. A good 8x10 analog print from a 4x5 neg has a wow
factor, and is still a sight to behold. I guess that holds true of any
size print from 4x5. 

Dave R   



-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+drodgers=casefarms.com at leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+drodgers=casefarms.com at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Jim Nichols
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 10:57 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] OT: Best Film Scanner for Black and White

Jim,

I scanned fifty years of family photos, mostly 35mm film and slides,
using 
an early Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II.  I have an early Epson flatbed
scanner 
for the few MF and LF negatives, along with prints, that I needed to 
digitize.  If you are looking for professional quality, the ones you
have 
seen recommended are probably the way to go.  If it is just to preserve 
family memories, almost any film scanner, with appropriate software,
will do 
the trick.

Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA