Camera Talk

I have two scanners:

- Epson Expression Pro 1600. A very large scanner. I think it weighs roughly 17 pounds. I bought this in 2001, I believe. The DMax isn't as good as the modern scanners, and I sure wish that I had the cash to buy the new Epson V series. Most of the photos on my site were scanned with the Expression Pro 1600. It has holders for 35mm slides and negatives, 120 and 4x5. It runs via SCSI or USB, and Epson has a Linux version of EpsonScan.

- Hewlett-Packard PhotoSmart S20. This was my first "real" scanner. It handles snapshot and 35mm slides and negatives. It's a very good scanner. Run only on Windows 95, 98 and XP. It won't run under Windows XP, but I've run it in a VMWare virtual session from Windows 7. You usually can buy the USB version (second model) for less than $40.

I use am EPSON V700 I use the Epsonscan software and for Post processing I use PS Elements 7 I think they are up to 16 or 17 now. Along with GIMP and Irfanview and the 2nd 2 are free. I use both the stock holders and Lomo holders. the Lomo holders hold them real flat but for mounted slides I just use the stock holder. I scan in Tiff with no adjustments then convert to JPEG in post and adjust.

I know that sounded short and sweet but really the scanning part is the easy part. The Post Processing is what takes time. Just like working in a darkroom except the trash can is not as full these days. I then have the better ones printed by a person who has a real nice printer that goes up to 30 inches and I get it at cost because she and I are friends.

Epson V600 for 120 film and Kodak Pakon F-135 for 35mm negatives. Since I have the Pakon I don't use my Minolta Dimage IV anymore...

Larry, how do you like those Lomography holders? I'm really looking for something better for 35mm and 120. The Epson holders can't handle curly negatives. Great scanners, however.

I like them and they are real easy to work with.

I use the Epson V-700 which I bought reconditioned from the Epson Store at a price that was too good to pass up. I kept my Epson 3200 because it's slide holder handles 4x4 cm SuperSlides of which I have a large number. I use the Epson negative holders for all sizes from HF to 6x6. For curly 35mm I picked up a tip somewhere online that works well. After the film is dry I cut it into 6 frame strips, put it into plastic negative sleeves, roll each strip with emulsion side out, and place in film cans. Overnight (or after several hours if you're in a hurry) they will be pretty flat and work well in the Epson holders. YMMV.

Bill Delehanty

Epson V600, bought it new a long time ago. I use the Epson Scan software that came with it (with several auto updates), and the standard plastic holders. It is more than enough for 120 film and adequate for 35mm.

The Epson software will separate automatically the frames for 6x9, 6x6 and 4.5x6, but in 35mm it only recognizes full frame. It becomes a PITA when I want to scan from my Pen D. Otherwise it works for me.

My recipe for flattening curly film is to put it inside the plastic file sleeves, and then below a big heavy book for a few days. I usually work with Pan F+, FP4+ or HP5+ which are quite flat anyway. Indeed, with the Epson holders curly film just remains curly. They have a plastic card for 120 film that you may slide as you scan, to keep film flatter, but I do not find this practical except for single-frame very careful work.

GIMP for postprocessing.

I use an Epson V700 and mostly I use the Epson holders that came with it. But I love the Lomographic Digitaliza holders for either curly negatives or for scanning the edges of the film. But they are not as efficient for large numbers as the Epson ones. (I'm gradually wearing away the little bits of plastic on the Epson holders, so I'm looking for some new ones.)

Years ago, when I started scanning, I was under the impression that Vuescan was the way to go for scanning software and I tried for years to learn it. Eventually I switched the Epson software and have never looked back. Far better.

And I do all my major or important editing in Paint Shop Pro. I've been using it since about 2003 (after a couple of regretted years trying to learn Photoshop). I am using their PSP X8 version now. (I don't think I'll upgrade to another until they make more substantial revisions than they ever did in the upgrades I have bought.)

I still use Picasa for organisation, even though Google essentially killed it last year. I also use Picasa for emailing and some minor editing.

I'm gradually scanning all my negatives and slides. All my recent rolls (since about 2005 are done) and all my oldest ones (up to 1986 or so), but I've got a *lot* more to do from the middle years.

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Epson V700 for me as well. I've tried Silverfast: lots of options, wretched user interface. Went back to Epson Scan and have been perfectly happy. For holders I use the Epson holders unless the film is particularly curvy or not in a size that the holders accommodate, in which case I use one of the Lomography Digitaliza holders based on a recommendation from Philip. If I'm particularly interested in best results or I'm working with weird large sizes, I use a Betterscanning ANR rig, which involves taping the negative to the underside of a piece of ANR glass and mounting it in an adjustable holder with a hand cut mask around it. Works well, just fussy enough that I don't do it unless I really need to.

I guess I use an Epson 4490. I said I guess because I can't remember the last time I turned it on. Maybe six months ago.