Film & negative scanners

 

 Choosing the best film and negative scanner.

Many flatbed scanners are capable of scanning film using a transparent media adaptor but most of the cheaper ones tend to produce such poor results that we really can't classify them as film scanners.

When scanning 35mm slides, 120 (medium format) and 5x4 film,  it's important to look beyond the resolution.  At the same resolution, two scanners may deliver vastly different results.

If you are trying to scan 35mm negatives, bear in mind that it's the most difficult task for a scanner.  Scanning colour negs is also likely to take longer than scanning slides.

The qualitative aspects are essential to obtain good results.  They include the scanner's mechanical precision, optical quality, optical path (e.g. glass free or not), number of mirrors, dynamic range, colour calibration, software and last but not least: auto-focus.  Bear in mind that published specifications are often very misleading, especially when it comes to dynamic range and resolution.  If this sounds too complicated, please feel free to contact us for advice.

 

Microtek professional scanners

Microtek has a range of scanners with film scanning capabilities, but the Microtek Artix F1 is by far the best Microtek scanner in terms of film scanning quality, and in fact the best in its class.  It offers glass-free film scanning, a good dynamic range, superb software and auto-focus...

If you are looking for an A3 scanner with film scanning capabilities, have a look at the Microtek ScanMaker 1000XL.

 

Epson scanners

Epson has a range of flatbed scanners but one model stands out from the others in term of film scanning quality: the Epson Perfection V700 Photo . It's still short of what the Microtek F1 offers, but is significantly better than most of the other sub $1,000 scanners on the market.  The Epson Perfection V700 Photo comes with Silverfast SE scanning software and this is fine for home users. Semi-pro and professional users should seriously consider upgrading to the full version of Silverfast, which offers much more powerful features and full colour calibration from a colour calibration target.

 

Nikon professional scanners

Most of the Nikon Coolscan  scanners have now been discontinued.  Only the Nikon Coolscan LS9000ED is still available while stocks last.  If you are looking for a professional quality 120 film scanner and can't afford a Flextight, then hurry while the LS9000ED is still available!

 

Plustek Optic-film scanners

Plustek offers well priced dedicated 35mm scanners suitable for slides and negatives.  Whilst they are not up to the same level as the Nikon scanners were, they represent excellent value and are the most popular 35mm scanner for the home user market.

 

Hasselblad Flextight scanners

Flextight scanners offer a unique 'Flextight drum' design and deliver benchmark quality film scanning.  The are used for archival digitisation projects, pre-press scanning, image libraries and professional photographers.

 

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