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Originally posted by rparmar I do not yet have a scanner and am rather envious of the cheap prices Epson makes available in the USA on refurbished units. I have found the Epson V4490 for $100 and the Epson V500 for $150. I'm looking at double that or more plus shipping from the UK. These units have a built-in transparency unit that will handle 645, and provide for a Dmax of 3.4, which I have on good authority is fine for all but the most contrasty negs. The only difference is that the cheaper unit uses bulbs instead of white LEDs as a light source -- these may be less consistent and take longer to warm up.
By comparison, the Epson V700 is much the same but has Dmax of 4.0 and costs £470, which is more than I can afford.
I found the Pentax 645N
manual.
For developing I will get a changing bag but am not sure which size is sufficient for 120?
Since shipping anything liquid is expensive and sometimes restricted, I will try out Ilford ID-11 powder developer.
Robin, as you know, I am on the same boat with you. My 645N with a 'A' 75mm f/2.8 MF is coming likely tomorrow. I don't know why I get into it. I guess, I want to try something new in B&W film. I can have gone into b&w film with a 35mm, I do have a SuperProgram but I feel the 645N is intriguing to say the least.
If you have come to some good sources of links that can share about the kind of b&w films to purchase from and the good store to develop them along with a good scan service, that will be great for my beginning. I will look for the scanner when I have a feel on thing. I am looking forward to sharing the film experience on 645N.
BTW, I think I fixed the comment problem that you mention in my tech blog. I have disabled word verification in blogspot, I hope you give that a try. Also I discuss my 645N purchase in the private yahoo group that we are in. Please check the latest messages from me in the yahoo group for pnet users
Thanks,
Hin