After a few false starts with 4870's and Microtek i900's I'm using the Epson
F3200. I'm getting excellent quality for 6x6 negatives at 16" square and
would obviously expect even better still with the larger negative. The
scanning software plays a big part. Vuescan does mono best, the Epson seems
to make effortless work of colour negatives and Silverfast seems best for
Slides. Not quite the most minimalist approach!

I worked out for critical resolution I would need 5lp/mm on the print, which
equates to 330dpi ( a lot of integral calculus). The F3200 has an effective
resolution of 2500dpi which is sufficient for MF negs and comfortable for
4x5.

I'm also working on the basis that you don't examine a 20x16 from 12 inches
off your nose. I'm sure I can do better, but unlikely with a consumer
flatbed.

Chris Woodhouse ARPS


On 25/2/05 12:34 pm, in article , "Jim
Hemenway" wrote:

I use an old, long in the tooth Epson Expression 836XL for my 11x14
chromes. It's an 11x17 flatbed with the transparency top.

It scans at 800 spi which works well for printing the chromes as 11x14
"contacts". I think that I could probably print twice as large, but my
printer is only 13x19.

It looses detail in dark shadow areas so I try to shoot high key photos
rather than low key.

I use a Leafscan for 4x5 and smaller film. It's old and very slow, but
does as good a job as the Imacon.

Jim



rafe bustin wrote:

What scanners are folks using for 4x5 film?

Would love to hear what folks are using,
how it works for them, and what scanners
you all lust after.

I'm doing "reasonably well" with a
Microtek/Artixscan 2500. The sharpness
and resolution are adequate, but there's
no dICE, and an annoying problem with
banding in dense areas of negatives.


rafe b.
http://www.terrapinphoto.com