Recommend me an entry level scanner please.

[Arcus]

Hello, first post on the forums. I've decided to "dabble" in LF and am looking to buy a Crown Graphic. I'd like to process my own B&W film and scan, but I won't be printing....I'll just be displaying on a website. I'd like to get an image only about 5000 pixels long, and I don't want to spend a lot of money on a scanner. Can you recommend to me a couple of scanners that will meet my needs? Thanks...

[Pere Casals]

If you don't want to invest much money for the moment, say $40, you can get a HP G4050, it will deliver an effective resolving power of 1000 to 1300 dpi, you know, one think is the dpi you scan and another thing how many dpi are effectively worth.

It just delivers the 5000 true pix from a 4x5" sheet, sporting DMax 2.87, this is well enough for BW film, but it will miss deep Velvia shadows.

When you can, then you may get a better choice, an EPSON V700, 750, 800 or 850, which mostly it's the single LF option for new gear.

Also you may scan with a DSLR.

________

https://www.filmscanner.info/en/HPScanjetG4050.html

It looks it has modern drivers: https://support.hp.com/es-es/drivers/selfservice/hp-scanjet-g4050-photo-scanner/3236371

Search: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=HP+Scanjet+G4050&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15


This is a Flickr search of: G4050 4x5 https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=g4050%204x5 you may realize what it can be obtained with it.

[Peter De Smidt]

Do you have a digital camera?

[Arcus]

If you don't want to invest much money for the moment, say $40, you can get a HP G4050, it will deliver an effective resolving power of 1000 to 1300 dpi, you know, one think is the dpi you scan and another thing how many dpi are effectively worth.

It just delivers the 5000 true pix from a 4x5" sheet, sporting DMax 2.87, this is well enough for BW film, but it will miss deep Velvia shadows.

When you can, then you may get a better choice, an EPSON V700, 750, 800 or 850, which mostly it's the single LF option for new gear.

Also you may scan with a DSLR.

________

https://www.filmscanner.info/en/HPScanjetG4050.html

It looks it has modern drivers: https://support.hp.com/es-es/drivers/selfservice/hp-scanjet-g4050-photo-scanner/3236371

Search: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=HP+Scanjet+G4050&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15


This is a Flickr search of: G4050 4x5 https://www.flickr.com/search/?
text=g4050%204x5 you may realize what it can be obtained with it.

Wow, that could be just the one I'd need. Thanks! I don't want to spend much money until I'm sure I want to stick with this LF stuff. For 40 bucks, you can't go wrong.

[Arcus]

Do you have a digital camera?

Unfortunately no, not at this time.

[Larry Gebhardt]

Find a used Epson 4870 in good condition. They seem to be around $60-100 on ebay and easily resolve more than your stated requirements. Ideally get it locally to test. Make sure the carriage is locked for shipment (there's a mechanical switch).

[Tin Can]

Copy with cell phone for website, all anybody does is look at tiny pics on cell phones.

Buy a LED light table (https://www.amazon.com/Portable-LITENERGY-Artcraft-Sketching-Animation/dp/B07F147VF6/ref=asc_df_B07F147VF6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241884170557&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17181517559147767079&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022720&hvtargid=pla-538374853357&psc=1) and put the negs on that to copy with the trusty cell phone.

If you never print that's all you need.

[Pere Casals]

Epson 4870 in good condition.

Also Epson 4990, some at $90.

[Arcus]

What about this one? Epson Perfection V550. You can buy it new for $160. Any good for 4x5? I don't see 4x5 in the specs.

[PRJ]

I found an HP 4050 at a church rummage sale so I said what the heck. The scanner was pilloried when it was released. With the HP software I can understand why. The scans I did were horrid! I mean really really bad. Then I gave it a whirl through Vuescan, and boom. Nice and clean. If you have Vuescan then it is a good scanner, especially for color. I think I read somewhere that it has two different lights in it for a larger gamut. I can believe it from the color scans I have done. Not worth it though if you don't spring for Vuescan.

Another scanner to look at that can do 4x5 and shouldn't cost that much is a Canon 9950F. The Epson 4990 would work well also.

Keep in mind that if you buy an older scanner you will have to clean it.

[Keith Fleming]

Arcus,

I don't know about the V550, but I have a V500 which is for 35 mm and medium format film only.

Keith

[jnantz]

Find a used Epson 4870 in good condition. They seem to be around $60-100 on ebay and easily resolve more than your stated requirements. Ideally get it locally to test. Make sure the carriage is locked for shipment (there's a mechanical switch).

I've been using one of these for 12-15 years, it has never let me down.

[Arcus]

Also Epson 4990, some at $90.


Couldn't find a 4990 for sale, but I did find a nice clean 4870! Thanks everyone for the advice. Now I just need a camera. :p