What are the film scanner options in 2017?

[Peter De Smidt]

Pali, I agree, Although a 5d mk ii is not a great camera for dynamic range.

[Pali K]

... a 5d mk ii is not a great camera for dynamic range.

Also in full agreement here

Pali

[Pali K]

This test made me scan an image that I never thought would be useful. Tango proved me wrong

Underexposed Slide Test by Pali K, on Flickr

Sinar Norma 4x5 | Fuji Velvia 100
Heidelberg Tango PMT Drumscanner

Pali

[Pere Casals]

So I did a test and I am going to take a strong position and say that NO, DSLR cannot outdo a Tango for shadow detail...

Hello Pali,

I don't doubt that the Tango is a way better scanning system than a DSLR.

Anyway your test shows a very good result fron the DSLR source. It is true that the DSLR has way more stray light (Tango has near zero stray light...), but this signal level can be removed with PS.

IMHO the DSLR performed much better than I would guess:

With stray light:





Just removing stray light level:






With a quick color balance:





IMHO a better match can be done with a proper LUT.


Regards

[Rich14]

Rich,

I am curious to see any samples you have to share. My tango can see through the velvia 50 film rebate with extended range profile with no contamination of color. I don't know how anything can be better but I would love to see what others are doing and seeing.

I might have to try this test myself too. I do have a 5D MK II and macro lenses.

Pali

Pali,

I posted messages about using a D800E for scanning a number of months ago and wondered when someone was going to ask for a comparison between such scans and a drum scanner.

I've though about this quite a bit. I am confident that I am seeing better scans with the D800E than with scans that were made over the years with a wide variety of scanners, including Tango, my current D4000 and other assorted machines. I have scanned the same Kodachromes, Velvia and Ektachromes with the D800E.

I no longer have access to the Tango. But I still fire up the D4000 from time to time.

While I know that my results are valid, I don't think that my posting my results will be proof to anybody. My drum scan technique could be faulted. There could be any number of criticisms that I'm not showing the drum scans at their best.

So here's what I suggest - send me a difficult chrome (or a number of chromes) that you have scanned on a Tango, or any other drum scanner. Post the image(s) here. I'll scan them with my D800E and post my results. (Of course I'll send your film back). We'll be able to compare the D800E to not only a Tango other than the one I used, but the capabilities of different operators.

It should be interesting, and will be done openly on the forum.

I'm not particularly interested in sending my film out as my collection now is all personal stuff, and I have no question about the ability of the D800E.

Rich

PM me if you want to get in touch.

[Pali K]

That's a great idea Rich!

I'll send you a PM and will plan to send you this very exact 4x5 Velvia sheet. I'll also make some proper scans from a Epson V700, Eversmart Pro, Scanmate 11000, and Tango that I have access to for comparative purposes.

Pali

[stefan dinu]

Hey guys, do you think 600USD is a reasonable price for a Fuji Lanovia C-550? I am thinking about an upgrade from V700. Also I was curious in terms of speed in Fuji will be an upgrade on this regard.

[Pere Casals]

While I know that my results are valid, I don't think that my posting my results will be proof to anybody...

Why not ?

Just scan a USAF 1951 resolution target slide and post the scan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_U...ion_test_chart

If group 6 element 2 bars are seen then your system is outresolving LF lenses, so enough for LF sheets. If you see Group 7 elements then you have a first class system...


Here you have the result from an X5 (Not a drum, but close, This is scanning 35mm):





You can compare to that.

Other practical tests can be done with an IT8 slide target, for density, etc, Also you can measure stray light.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/timpar...125592977@N05/



IMHO numeric tests do not explain all but a lot is explained...

[bob carnie]

That's a great idea Rich!

I'll send you a PM and will plan to send you this very exact 4x5 Velvia sheet. I'll also make some proper scans from a Epson V700, Eversmart Pro, Scanmate 11000, and Tango that I have access to for comparative purposes.

Pali

I would contribute by scanning on a Eversmart Supreme and a Imocan if someone handles the dynamics of sending the original around.

[Pali K]

I would contribute by scanning on a Eversmart Supreme and a Imocan if someone handles the dynamics of sending the original around.

Bob, I can certainly send you this particular 4x5 Velvia image but does it make sense for us to better organize this effort? Does anyone have access to the original images that were used for the scanner comparison here for a more meaningful 2017 update to these tests that were done many years ago?

Pali