Canon 8800f or Epson V500 scanner

Jools · 09-17-2009, 09:37 PM

I am to the point of purchasing one of these two scanners for 35mm and 120 negatives. Money keeps me at this level of scanner. From what I have researched and read there are limitations for 35mm but coming from an HP scanner (circa 2001) anything else would be an improvement.

What I am wondering from the forum is if there are any differences between these two machines. I am going to use it exclusively for scanning negs. Does the ICE in the Epson warrant it's purchase or is the Canoscan good enough on itself. Really what if any difference (customer support?) is there between the two?

I have an HP 2.4 Ghz (quad core) computer so I am hoping this would help with speed. From where I am sitting, it's gonna be a long cold winter so I will have time to scan my negs.

Thanks in advance for any input.

kenyee · 09-18-2009, 07:31 AM

Epson just released the V600 that looks good...digital ICE and yes, it's worth it...

klh · 09-21-2009, 06:55 PM

I have the Canon 8800F and can recommend it highly. I can't compare with the Epson as I've never used it.

The Canon 8800F has a system they call FARE, which, if I understand it, is comparable to Epson's ICE technology.

I've used it to scan 35mm slides and negatives (some dating back to the mid-1950s) with excellent results.

johngs · 09-21-2009, 09:51 PM

I have the V300 Epson scanner (cheaper) and I've been amazed at the results I get from it scanning slides and negs.

*Gooneybird* · 09-23-2009, 04:48 PM

Based on the astounding results I've seen on a friend's Canon 8600 (the predecessor) I would prefer the Canon 8800f. But upon reviewing its requirements for software, it demands Windows XP or Vista. I have stood my ground for years, I will not use either, rather my Windows 2000. So, it looks like Canon has lost a loyal customer, for their support of Microshaft.

dstar · 09-23-2009, 06:16 PM

I have V500 around week .Scan all my older 15-20 yo slide. also scan my older family photo from 1940.Result great I just was impress. I paid 160$ in office depo
Set take 10 min .Its just work w/o too much headache.

Cloggie_UK · 09-24-2009, 05:56 AM

I've just bought a Canoscan 5600f. Should get it by the weekend. Only reason I bought it is that I got it about half price, brand new. Up till now, I've only used SCSI scanners (Epson and HP). This will be my first USB scanner. I doubt it will match the speed of SCSI but I am now running the retail version of Windows 7 64 bit and SCSI support is minimal. The only Adaptec cards supported are the 29320 and 39320 which are expensive cards.

We'll see what the Canon is like soon enough. Luckily, I don't scan all that much.

Cloggie_UK · 09-24-2009, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by Gooneybird

Based on the astounding results I've seen on a friend's Canon 8600 (the predecessor) I would prefer the Canon 8800f. But upon reviewing its requirements for software, it demands Windows XP or Vista. I have stood my ground for years, I will not use either, rather my Windows 2000. So, it looks like Canon has lost a loyal customer, for their support of Microshaft.

Why on earth are you still running Win2k? Is it because of your hardware?

You'll find that eventually every manufacturer will drop the older OS's. And even if the manufacturer doesn't support the OS, have a look at Vuescan. Much better than any scan software bundled with scanners. And it supports scanners with or without available drivers i.e. you can use the drivers that came with a recent scanner or use the built in driver to support older scanners for which drivers are not available anymore.

Oh, and you can calibrate the scanner and use colour profiles.

Jools · 10-01-2009, 05:44 PM

Just wanted to say thanks for all your input. Quite helpful.
Finally decided to go with the Epson V500. Just got here two days ago and so far so good. What a difference from my old but beloved dinosaur. I still got a lot to learn but hey I got all winter.