[Jetsam1]

Well, looks like my Veho is dead (can't get into it to clean) and so I am considering a better quality dedicated scanner. i have been reading about the Epson V550 and it seems good and relatively easy to keep dust free? I like the idea of ICE as well........ It's expensive (relatively) but as I may be shooting film more regularly the savings compared to lab scanning should cover the initial costs. I do have a large box of my Grandad's and Dad's slides and negatives which I wouldn't mind re-scanning at a much higher resolution plus the ICE would really help some of the older slides.

So anyone with experience of home scanning? Is it worth not bothering with the Epson software and using Vuescan as I've seen recommended? Anything I should really know before committing?

Cheers!

[grispie]

I have an epson V550 that i mainly use for b&w scanning.
I like it. It's not too slow,easy to keep the dust out & turns out good quality for its price.

Can't help on the Vuescan though. I've read about it but never felt the need.
cheers

[Caver]

Well, looks like my Veho is dead (can't get into it to clean) and so I am considering a better quality dedicated scanner. i have been reading about the Epson V550 and it seems good and relatively easy to keep dust free? I like the idea of ICE as well........ It's expensive (relatively) but as I may be shooting film more regularly the savings compared to lab scanning should cover the initial costs. I do have a large box of my Grandad's and Dad's slides and negatives which I wouldn't mind re-scanning at a much higher resolution plus the ICE would really help some of the older slides.

So anyone with experience of home scanning? Is it worth not bothering with the Epson software and using Vuescan as I've seen recommended? Anything I should really know before committing?

Cheers!

+1 for the Epson V550.
I'm a long time Epson scanner user (older models and used mostly in graphic design workflow) - and in my experience they are the most affordable - very good quality - scanners around. I have scanned mostly photos and prints with the V550, and I can recommend it. I also scanned and enlarged a couple of slides (both 35mm and 6x6) - and I liked the result. The ICE technology is good, but it is not a wonder - you won't escape from retouching - but it does a decent work. I don't have anything against the bundled software - in the professional mode you can set up everything you need for a usual workflow.
As for the Vuescan - I've been using it (a few years ago) with some older Minolta film scanner - and I liked it - but until this point I didn't feel the need to buy it for the Epson V550.

Whichever solution you choose - you have to know, that scanning old slides or negatives is a time consuming task, especially the post-production :/

I have read - probably on this form (will try to find it for you) - about someone transforming an old slide projector - in combination with his camera - into a "scanning" device - with very good results - for digitizing old slides and negatives...

---------- Post added 05-05-15 at 13:19 ----------


This is something close to what I was referring to (still searching for the original post):
The other way to scan positive slides, or, why I kept my big DSLR by Stefan Schmidt | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS

[Jetsam1]

That's what I was looking for, I used the old scanner for a massive box of slides and yes took ages!! Well, saving up time again! My main interest in the ICE would be to get the worst damage/dirt sorted out as someof these were not stored that well before I got them.

Will be back at work in a couple of weeks so will have to think about it, as I will have no time at all as soon as back there........

[stevebrot]

At the current V550 price point, it is hard to find a better value in a scanner unless you can find a V700 at close-out. The main differences are better optical path and the ability to scan more negs/slides in a single pass with the V700. In regards to Vuescan vs. Epson Scan, I have used both and both work. I prefer Epson Scan.


Steve

[AquaDome]

I have the Epson V600. It does everything I need it to do, including 645, 6x6, & 6x9 negatives. I still want to upgrade to a V700.

[jonby]

The V550 will give you good results from prints and 'ok' results from film. It all depends on the quality level you are after. A used V700/750 would give you somewhat better results if it's working as it should. The other option for film is to use a DSLR and a good macro lens - this can give better results from 35mm film - but getting good results generally takes even more time than scanning (and you might not have a macro lens).

I have found the Epson Scan software to be pretty good once you know how to use it. One down side when batch-scanning is that the frame detection tends to crop to tightly into the image, meaning that you have to manually select frames, which slows things down.

There probably aren't any better flatbed scanners than the V550 at that price point.

[Jetsam1]

I don't have a macro lens and yes the price point the V550 is at is about the most I can spend on a specialist piece of equipment. In Hungary it would seem you are a little more limited in choice available. Would rather buy locally in case everything goes wrong! Qualitywise I just want decent files that can be tweaked in Lightroom and accurate reproduction.