Nikon 9000 or Epson flatbed

[Tom Kershaw]

First post here on hybridphoto.com, over from APUG.

I am not going to have access to a darkroom for several months and need a way to deal with my negatives, scanning for web, and making digital RA-4 prints, inkjet proofs etc. My first reaction was to just go for an Epson 4990, but after further consideration the Nikon 9000 seems more appropriate as the main usage for the Epson would be scanning 6x6 negatives (black & white, and colour), and I already have access to a scanner that is reasonable for prints. I also want to start getting into some commercial photography including stock, so would want and need decent quality, presumably provided by the Nikon. Imacon scans are available locally but the costs are prohibitive for my purposes.

Although I am the UK it looks as though I could save several hundred GBP (on the UK price) by importing from the US, however this brings issues about the warranty into consideration.

Any further help on my deliberations would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom Kershaw.

[michaelsalomon]

I own a coolscan 9000 and its a great scanner capable of great scans. Is it a drum or imacon scan? No, but just for kicks I sent out a 6x6 velvia chrome to be drum scanned as well as scanned on an imacon - for my purposes I was not unhappy that I bought the coolscan nor was I totally blown away by the imacon and drum scans (mind you, I only print as big as 12" x 12" and scan medium format, mainly slide film) It seems that the coolscan has quite a following of happy users and as long as you learn the software (I use nikon scan) its a very capable machine. I would also say the the glass holder is a must, the nikon supplied medium format film holder does not do a good job in keeping the film flat. I've just started making digital negs from scans of b/w film output on an epson r2400 and the scans are just great from my b/w negs. Hope this helps.

Mike

[Tom Kershaw]

Interesting point about the glass carrier; looks as though I'll have to factor that into the price. Anyone with experience using Epson flatbeds (4990 or V700/750) for medium format?

Tom.

[livemoa]

I use a V700 (Epson Hong Kong wont import or support the 750) and I am very happy with it. I am scanning 35mm 120 (mainly 645) 5x4 and 10x8. It's not a drum scanner, but for my purposes it's good enough. I have not used a dedicated film scanner like the Nikon but my understanding is that they are better for 35 mm.

I am looking at buying a glass holder for my 120 negs.

[Tom Kershaw]

It would be good if someone had a cropped TIF or PSD sample scan from the Nikon with 120 film at 4000 DPI up online, but I haven't been able to find anything.

[Helen Bach]

Here's one from the 8000, using the rotating glass holder. I'll post another later - this one was hand-held at about 1/30 or maybe 1/15.

Best,
Helen

[Helen Bach]

And one on Fuji Pro 160S, tripod-mounted:

[Tom Kershaw]

Thanks for that Helen. Looking forward to the other examples later. What are your own impressions regarding the glass holder? (non/rotating/non-rotating)

Tom

(Opps didn't see your post)

[Helen Bach]

I agree that one or the other glass holder is essential for getting the best out of the scanner. As you've already spotted, I use the rotating one. I rarely have problems with Newton's Rings, and I do use the rotating facility on occasion.

Best,
Helen

[Doug Fisher]

Tom -

>>It would be good if someone had a cropped TIF or PSD sample scan <<

You might find the comparisons on the following pages to be a good read:

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/int...750/page_5.htm

While the Epsons are a good value for their price point, if you have the money I don't think you can go wrong with the Nikon 9000.

Doug
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BetterScanning.com