Photo Scanner Review 2008

Film has not died. It still beats digital sensors. The only biggest disadvantage is processing difficulties. To process film, you need years of learning to do it in a darkroom developing and printing with chemicals. But many have made this path easier for themselves, because any film can be scanned and processed just like digital camera owners do. Let's look at 2008's most popular photo scanners in various price categories.

Film Scanners

Film scanner is ideal for those who want to combine digital photo processing capabilities with film's advantages, quality and dynamic range. Many don't want to lose film's charm while using new digital processing programs. First the film is scanned to get a digital file, then processed according to needs. After processing, a digital file is obtained back on film (don't ask how. In Latvia such service is not available, but abroad and in Russia it's popular) and with chemicals in a darkroom a photo is printed. Taking the charm from digital photography but using photo film. Let's talk about this year's more popular film and flatbed scanners.

Imacon Flextight X5

Hasselblad's Imacon Flextight X5 film scanner is the top model from the Flextight series. It's equipped with 3 CCD optical sensors with maximum resolution of 8000dpi and 4.9 Dmax and 16-bit channel analog to digital conversion. Supports 35mm, 120/220 and 10x13cm film formats. Photos can be saved in 3F file format, similar to RAW files for digital cameras. Approximate price abroad 20,000$ (www.hasselblad.com)
 

Microtek ArtixScan 4000tf Dedicated

This scanner has 42-bit color scanning. Maximum resolution is 4000dpi. Optical density is 4.3. The package includes a film holder for six 35mm film frames. It has autofocus capability during scanning, which ensures perfect sharpness. The package includes LaserSoft Imaging's SilverFast Ai 6 ScanWizard Pro TX program. Approximate price abroad 800$.
 

Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 ED

Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 ED is Nikon's best scanner at the moment. Supports 35mm, 120 and 200, slide formats. It can scan at 4000dpi resolution with 4.8 optical density. Its 16-bit channel analog to digital conversion allows obtaining high quality scanned photos. Scanner 9000 ED is equipped with a large diameter scanner Nikkor ED lens, 10,000 pixel, three-level monochrome linear CCD image sensor and improved LED light. 35mm and wide film holders are included. 16mm holder can be purchased separately. The scanner also has good scanning time indicators. It can scan a 35mm slide in 40 seconds, but a 15x22cm negative in 185 seconds. Price abroad 2000$.

Pacific Image PF7250 Pro 3

Pacific Image PF7250 Pro 3 is a high resolution 35mm slide and film scanner with 7200dpi optical resolution and 3.6 optical density. It supports 16-bit channel analog to digital conversion. Scanner supports 35mm film and strip scanning. Also autofocus capability allows obtaining sharp photos. Pro3 comes with Kodak Digital ICE software. There are FireWire and USB 2.0 connectors. Approximate price abroad 450$.

Umax PowerLook 180

Umax is one of the cheapest film scanners that scans 35mm film. It uses a cold cathode fluorescent lamp as light source and scans with 14-bit channel conversion to obtain 48-bit color photos. Its resolution is 1800dpi and dmax 3.4. It supports 35mm film roll scanning and auto film sheet loading. The package includes SilverFast Ai 6.0 scanning program and slide holder. Approximate price abroad 200$.

Flatbed Scanner

Flatbed scanners differ from regular scanners by their construction. Flatbed scanners are large and resemble regular A4 or A3 scanners with a scanning surface. They don't have the ability to scan film rolls, but they can additionally scan photographs. Film scanning happens with film strip holder or frame. Their biggest downside is that the film strip needs to be placed in a special frame, which makes the scanning process slower. They are more affordable and functional for home use.

Epson Perfection V700 Photo

Epson Perfection V700 Photo scanner with 6400dpi resolution is a powerful flatbed scanner that can give independently good quality and color precision. It has 4.0 Dmax to provide as much detail as possible in dark areas. The scanner has Dual Lens System, which allows choosing one of two lenses for the respective scanning format. Approximate price abroad 500$.

Contex COPYmate G18 iJet

Contex COPYmate is additionally equipped with a special lid that allows conveniently scanning books, fragile surfaces and materials. It has 48-bit 4-channel CCD technology to achieve up to 45x60cm quality scanning of photos. It has the ability to scan and immediately send files for printing without a computer, as well as LAN interface. It can even directly scan photos or film frames to a USB hard drive. Approximate price abroad 10,000$. (www.contex.com)

Epson Expression 10000XL-Graphic Arts Scanner

Epson Expression 10000XL scanner has 2400dpi with 48-bit color scanning. It has Epson's exclusive ColorTune II system, xenon lamp, Epson Color MatrixCCD technology to obtain realistic colors. It has 3.8 Dmax. Autofocus optical system to obtain clear and sharp image. Maximum scanning surface is 30x40cm. The scanner has USB 2.0 and FireWire connectors and supports both Windows and Mac systems. Price 2500$. (www.epson.com)

HP Scanjet 8300 Professional Image Scanner

HP continues to produce the 48-bit HP Scanjet 8300 Professional scanner. It has 4800x4800 optical resolution. Maximum scanning surface is 20x35cm. It allows scanning 8 slides or 18 negatives at a time. It also supports medium and large format film. Price 500$.

Kodak Eversmart Select II

Kodak Eversmart Select II scanner has special alignment technology that allows the scanning head to reach exactly the center of the film or photo. It has 5600dpi optical resolution and approximate price

Microtek ScanMaker s450

Microtek ScanMaker s450 is one of the cheapest flatbed scanners with 4800x9600dpi resolution and 48-bit color scanning. Advanced ColorRescue automatic restoration technology restores faded colors in photos and film. Price 99$.

Umax PowerLook 2100XL-USB

Umax PowerLook 2100XL-USB allows scanning up to 30x43cm area with 800x1600dpi resolution and 3.4 Dmax. It's designed for professional photographers and graphics artists to work as quickly as possible and take up less workspace. Its size is only 45x60cm. It can even scan fabrics and X-rays. It has Mirror Moving Technology, which allows moving mirrors to send light to a static CCD sensor. This allows the scanner to work much quieter and faster. Price 1000$.

Conclusion

If you often shoot with film camera and at the development lab you additionally pay for scanning, then I recommend considering purchasing a scanner. You can roughly calculate how much you spend monthly on scanning and maybe it would be more advantageous to invest that money in a scanner purchase. I see there are two approaches to purchasing a scanner. First, when you buy a cheaper scanner, which will allow scanning photos for the internet and A4 prints, and then when you need higher resolution for a specific frame, you take it to the photo lab for expensive scanning. Second, when you buy a more expensive scanner to do everything at home yourself. Here are standard scanning costs at jvk.lv :

 

The biggest advantage of a home scanner is saved time, film safety (sometimes operators have been heard to crush or fold films after scanning), you can scan your films at any moment, ability to earn money by scanning for acquaintances.
If anyone uses any of the mentioned scanners or some other, feel free to write a review.

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