v900?

[bagdad child]

Sorry for posting this in the large format forum, but you people seem to know whole lot about scanners. I am looking to purchase a scanner for 6x7 and 35mm formats. I am looking for something capable of quality print 8-10 times enlargement of 6x7 transparenices. Over and over again I end up at the exceptionally pricey coolscan 9000 and its pricey accessories. Seems like there is no viable alternative unless I am willing to venture into the treacherous land of used drumscanners and used pro flatbeds. The epson v700/750 looks to be a very fine scanner but not quite up to the enlargement capacity I am after. So I stumbled across this information about an upcoming v900:

http://www.ausmedia.com.au/Epson_V900_Photo_Scanner.htm

Is this likely to be happening or is just a silly rumour? What would you expect from a possible update to the current top of the line epson scanner? Would it be wise to wait until Photokina before I possibly pay a lot of money for a coolscan 9000? Seems to me there is still a market to justify further evolvement of non-pro flatbed scanners. What's your take on this? I would really prefer a good flatbed as it is a whole lot more convenient in use imo. I am most grateful for any advice!

[Joanna Carter]

The epson v700/750 looks to be a very fine scanner but not quite up to the enlargement capacity I am after. So I stumbled across this information about an upcoming v900:

http://www.ausmedia.com.au/Epson_V900_Photo_Scanner.htm

Whatever the title for the article, the picture is that of a V700. Methinks this is either a spoof or a spelling mistake.

As for the V700, I would not have any problems getting decent 10x enlargements, provided I use the Better Scanning film holders.

[Peter De Smidt]

What type of film will you mainly be scanning? If it's fairly grainy, the flat bed with good holders or wet mounting might be your best option at anywhere near that price point, although at 10 times enlargement, not everyone would be happy with the quality. It depends a lot on the type of pictures, how close the images will be viewed... The coolscan will do a great job with fine grained film, significantly better than the flatbed, but you will need to modify a carrier, buy a glass carrier...or something to keep the film flat.

[redrockcoulee]

I paid less for a used Nikon 8000 than the cost of the V750 new and the cost of scanscience's fluid mounting kit is less than the decent carrier from Nikon and can be used for both120and 35mm. Not saying not to look at the flatbed scanners but a used 8000 could be an affordable option. I already had access to a V750 for my large format negatives but it is nice to have a scanner at home as well.

[Lenny Eiger]

Sorry for posting this in the large format forum, but you people seem to know whole lot about scanners. I am looking to purchase a scanner for 6x7 and 35mm formats. I am looking for something capable of quality print 8-10 times enlargement of 6x7 transparenices. Over and over again I end up at the exceptionally pricey coolscan 9000 and its pricey accessories. Seems like there is no viable alternative unless I am willing to venture into the treacherous land of used drumscanners and used pro flatbeds. The epson v700/750 looks to be a very fine scanner but not quite up to the enlargement capacity I am after. So I stumbled across this information about an upcoming v900:

I am most grateful for any advice!

The Epson scanner is not in same the class as the Nikon. I think it would be a minimum given the enlargement. I would prefer a drum scanner for this. Nikon's are cheap, by comparison to the top scanners. Of course, it depends greatly on your aesthetic, and the level of quality you want.

Lenny

[Andrew M]

there may be something to it; a new model epson scanner that is.

i read the other day, i think it was that Mr Fisher guy (or on a forum that he is on frequently) that sells the holders for the dry or wet mount film formats.

anyway i read a post (dated around jan or feb) that said a new model (no model number was mentioned) to replace the V700 was released in Japan, and he said it was expected to be released in the US the following month--which obviously didnt occure.

the v700 is probably due for an upgrade--been out for a couple of years i think hasnt it. but whether (if and when it does arrive) it is much different to the v700 i wouldnt know...epson from what i have read or seen have only done small improvents as the models have progressed


Andrew

[Frank Petronio]

While it still wouldn't be close to being in any sort of league as drum scanner or even a dedicated film scanner, if Epson did come out with a better build quality flatbed/transparency scanner with focusing capability, better film holders, (one for 8x10!), and a small gain in performance (D-max not resolution), it could probably be the last scanner most of need for a good long time.

(And if Nikon made a Coolscan 9000 that could handle 4x5... that would really be something!)

[Andrew M]

if Epson did come out with a better build quality flatbed/transparency scanner with focusing capability, better film holders, (one for 8x10!),


to be able to take a holder for 8x10 sounds good to me! or whole plate even..

i nearly bought a v700 the other day but thought perhaps i should wait and see if it turnes up--particularly because or the 8x10 and whole plate thingy--hoping the (possble) new model can do it

[Leonard Metcalf]

the company that this announcement comes from is a reputable Australian company, I would have no reason to think that the announcement is a hoax. Epson has recently made two new product announcements in Australia. Which were both seen at distributors websites before the official announcements came.

[Joanna Carter]

the company that this announcement comes from is a reputable Australian company, I would have no reason to think that the announcement is a hoax. Epson has recently made two new product announcements in Australia. Which were both seen at distributors websites before the official announcements came.
My assertion is based on the fact that, if you zoom in on the image of the "new" scanner, you can clearly see the V700 product name.

[Andrew M]

possibly they dont have picture of the v900 yet...the small print up the top says that 'the model has not been released yet, specifactions are our best estimation'

[bagdad child]

I'll be looking to scan all sorts of films, the velvias, kodachromes, portras, provia, tri-x, scala, t-max and so on so i'll look for the grain as well as try to avoid it..

I have recently found there is a local arts organisation open for anyone for $20 a year that lets you use the nikon 9000 and the imacon 343 for free... That may well be the deal breaker for me until I can make enough money to buy one of those wonderful used pro flatbeds. BTW, I could have purchased one in the neighbourhood the other day for around $200. It was a Scanview Scanmate F6, I believe branded as the Howtek F6 in the US. It had the Color Quartet CDs but there was no mounting accessories and there was no way to check operation beforehand. I live in Sweden and the scanner is still serviced a 4 hour drive away in Denmark but still I decided not to go for it. I figured it would mean to many headaches to get it to operate and produce the results I am after. The scanner apparently has a maximum resolution of 3000 dpi but as far as I understand only along a thin strip. Someone else may correct here if I am wrong. Oh well I am sure the scanner was working fine I just didn't have the confidence to try my luck with it. I may start looking for a scanview drumscanner instead. They seem to be no too rare and reasonably priced.

Lets hope the consumer flatbeds will soon reach those magical 4000 dpi:s...! It' s kind of the analog photographers' megapixel race, aint it..!?

Thank you all of you for taking your time to reply to my post

[bagdad child]

and as for the Epson v900 rumour - googling "epson v900" won't give you much...a few forum threads and the actual australian rumour link... maybe it's just a rumour after all..? or perhaps there's very little interest... ...in the digital world?

[Huib]

I hardly expect that epson will introduce a real successor to the V700/V750, the market has become too small to warrent any substantial R&D on improving the current scanners. Probably we have to get used to the idea that we will not see any improvements any more.

[Brian_A]

I hardly expect that epson will introduce a real successor to the V700/V750, the market has become too small to warrent any substantial R&D on improving the current scanners. Probably we have to get used to the idea that we will not see any improvements any more.

I would have to disagree with that statement. MicroTek is still coming out with new flatbed scanners. So long as they are, Epson will follow suit. I'm sure they're always working on ways to maximize Dmax.

-Brian

[Steve Kefford]

...the market has become too small to warrent any substantial R&D on improving the current scanners...

All the more reason to introduce a marginally improved model, obviously marketed as a great improvement, to increase demand.

Steve

[Huib]

All the more reason to introduce a marginally improved model, obviously marketed as a great improvement, to increase demand.

Steve

wasn't that what happened with the 4990 --> V700 model :eek: :)

[Jeffrey Sipress]

For 35mm and 6x7 films, I use a dedicated film scanner. Mine is the Minolta Dimage Dual Pro (or something like that!). It has holder for all MF and 35mm films. Years ago it was nearly $3k new, but now I'll bet probably around the cost of a good flatbed.

[Sevo]

There will be a slightly updated V500 - the V600. As they haven't announced a successor to the V750 at the same time, there will hardly be a update this year. Besides, the V750 is still ahead of the V600. The V900 rumour was already around more than a year ago, based upon the same typo, and it has not materialized.

[sngraphics]

Hello all.
Just found this thread after Googled a search for any info on new/updated Epson scanners to replace their top end V750 Model.
Any news or info would be much appreciated.

[rich815]

I currently have a 9000 and it is a great scanner but I've gotten terrific MF scans from my Epson 4990 in the past and that scanner is a few generations back. None of the flatbeds are good for 35mm though IMO. That said for 35mm you can get a Nikon 4000 or even a IV for under $400....

[RichardSperry]

I currently have a 9000 and it is a great scanner but I've gotten terrific MF scans from my Epson 4990 in the past and that scanner is a few generations back. None of the flatbeds are good for 35mm though IMO. That said for 35mm you can get a Nikon 4000 or even a IV for under $400....

I would bet that there is at least one 35x24mm area in each of your MF flatbed scans. Would you say that that area is not good?

[rdenney]

I would bet that there is at least one 35x24mm area in each of your MF flatbed scans. Would you say that that area is not good?

If you print at the same enlargement ratio, sure. That's like cutting out a piece of a print with a pair of scissors. But not if you enlarge it further to achieve the same size print.

Many report here a maximum enlargement from an Epson of about 4x, while maintaining the highest quality available from that scanner. That's a snapshot-size print from 35mm. With only slightly lower expectations, a little larger is probably possible, perhaps 6x. But an 8x10 from 35mm will exceed an 8x enlargement, and that will impose a visibly lower standard, though it still may be good enough for a given need.

A 4x enlargement from medium format allows a 9xwhatever print, and a 13" print requires only 6x. That's as big a printer as most people have, and the Epson-scanned medium format keeps up pretty well. For 17" prints from the next size class of printers, medium format requires an 8x enlargement--beyond the Epson sweet spot. 4x5 printed that size is right in that sweet spot, however.

(I'm talking the perception of endless detail, not the best possible representation of subtle tonalities, which most here would agree is beyond all consumer scanners).

But any film scanner can support 8x enlargements in their sweet spot.

Rick "who thinks anything is adequate for web display" Denney

[rdenney]

I should add that I'm not sure what Epson would do to improve the 750 that would not require a systemic increase in costs. Better holders are already available.

Rick "thinking the sensor, mechanics, and overall quality are pretty well matched" Denney

[Robert Budding]

wasn't that what happened with the 4990 --> V700 model :eek: :)

LOL. That's why I bought a Nikon CS 9000 ED. My Epson 4990 now serves as a paper weight.

[RichardSperry]

rdenny,

He makes the unqualified statement, "None of the flatbeds are good for 35mm though IMO."

There is no mention of printing or enlargement being done. If you blow up 35mm to 16x20 under an enlarger it's going to be pretty paltry, And the MF will do just fine.

Would one make the equivalent statement that "no enlarger is good for 35mm" then?

For web stuff, 35mm, on even the baby V500, is going to be fine. And I may be doing something wrong, but 8x10 is my max for 35mm under an enlarger; they crap out visibly after that.

This is the problem with film the size of a postage stamp. Not a problem with the scanner(or enlarger).

Can you surpass this limitation with super duper expensive drum scans of 35mm? Intuition tells me no.

[Corran]

Every dedicated 35mm scanner I've used, all of which were 1/3 the price of the V700 or less, have completely blown away the flatbed scanners I've used for 35mm. I'm thinking of the Minolta and Plustek models.

I've made prints of 11x14 and 12x18 from 35mm scans that look great, from those scanners. Scans from a V700 have not given me anything close to that quality level. Of course, higher-end dedicated scanners are even better.

I think Rick's statements are completely correct, in my opinion.

[rdenney]

Can you surpass this limitation with super duper expensive drum scans of 35mm? Intuition tells me no.

No offense, but I'll take my actual experience over your intuition. I doubt any scan can surpass a good enlarger, but a good scan can certainly match it, while a consumer flatbed won't even come close.

Film scanners of even moderate quality will surpass good consumer flatbeds by at least a factor of two, in terms of enlargement ratios.

Don't you suppose that someone who spent a thousand bucks on an Epson V750 on the basis that someone on this forum said it would be fine for 35mm would be a little upset when their 8x10's could not match the quality they once got from a bottom-of-the-line plastic Vivitar enlarger with a no-name tessar lens? It seems to me wrong to assume that "web stuff" was a more likely target than "8x10 prints", without it being specified.

I paid a couple of hundred bucks for a cheapie Acer Scanwit film scanner about a dozen years ago. It could give me 2700 pixels/inch with decent quality. That's still at least 75% better than a current V750, of which I have one sitting right here next to me. An 8x10 from 35mm was no problem with that Acer.

I've already demonstrated I can get better results on 35mm than the Epson using my 13-MP Canon 5D and a macro lens over a light table.

Rick "who provided detail so that people could make their own judgments" Denney