[rollei_list] Re: New Scanner needed
- From: Kirk Thompson <thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Rollei List <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:29:07 -0800
I've been thinking about changing scanners too, and here's what I've
found/figured out::
Epson flatbeds are good for MF on the Internet, and for relatively small
prints. Most people stop there (model V700/750). You should be able to
download software for any recent OS. They have a FAQ page for compatibility
with 64/32 bit systems and for Win 7.
But flatbeds are a bit disappointing if you make medium or large prints. If
you try to go up another step, the next rung of the ladder is broken:
Used Nikon MF scanners are priced through-the-roof. 8000's sell for around $2K
(which was the original price of the 9000); and 9000's sell for as much as $4K.
Unopened new ones? $5-6K.
Old MF Imacon FlexTights are sometimes available, but they require servicing
from time to time and you can get stuck for a heck of a bill for this, and a
long time without it . You have to use an adapter to gt from a SCSI to a
Firewire port, you'd need to read up on this and Win 7. In US, Hasselblad
discontinued West Coast service, so the scanners have to go to East Coast, if
that affects you. It puts the shipping above $100 each way. (A friend who
needs servicing for his 848 expects it to cost $2K all together.)
The only new scanner for 120 is the Primefilm 120, originally $1995, then
$1795, and now $1495 with rebate (B&H, Adorama, etc.). The price reductions
tell a story: initially a high rate of out-of-the-box failures; just-average
DMax that may not justify the price; no way to use 120 in strips of 3 or 4 –
you have to cut them down to 2s to fit the holder, ending up with a mess of
negative fragments; low-grade software; Vuescan very recently available, but it
has needed several upgrades to try to improve image quality and get rid of
noise and banding. Anyhow Vuescan should work with your new Windows computer.
Take your pick among lesser-evil choices?
My own solution has been to use an inexpensive flatbed to make scans for
work-prints, and then scan my few best images on an Imacon. In most cities a
photo lab or service bureau will rent their Imacon by the hour (in SF Bay Area,
$40-45/hr). It's a good idea to study some of the tutorials on the Web so you
don't waste time in front of the scanner. (I'm personally fortunate – I have
have a friend who has a slow but reliable old Imacon and an old Mac with a SCSI
port, dedicated to running it. I'd prefer, however, to make final scans in my
own 'digital darkroom.')
Sort of a footnote: If you can find an Imacon to use, don't fall into their
sharpening trap. The idea that their scanners are better than anything in the
world stems in some part from the fact that they automatically introduce a high
level of sharpening – persuading people that their negatives 'really' had all
that detail and they'd always lost it before they met an Imacon. Setting
sharpening (they call it 'Texture') to 0 doesn't solve the problem, because
that's still a good dose of sharpening. To avoid sharpening and just scan what
your Rollei saw, the setting has to be -120. This way, you can make a very
'filmy' archival inkjet print.
What they really accomplish is film flatness. You can end up with 20x20"
'archival' inkjet prints that rival BW gelatin-silver and put Type C color
prints to shame, in both appearance and longevity.
Kirk
> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:05:18 -0600
> To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> From: dwilli10@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [rollei_list] New Scanner needed
>
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