Film scanner help! Which one?

[Lazy Photographer]

I have a friend who shoots only black & white film, and then scans the negatives to his computer. His scanner just pooped out and he's asked me to help him decide on a new one. He's looking at one of these two:

Epson Perfection 4490

Canon CanoScan 8800F


Can anyone offer any advice on these units or brands? Or is there another in that price bracket that might be a better option. I think he wants to keep it under $300. I did mention the Nikon scanner but he doesn't have that kind of money.

 

[Taylor R]

I own an epson 4490, and have no experience with the canoscan so i can't really tell you which ones better. But I am very happy with the results my 4490 offers, its a very good scanner for the price.

 

[Pgeobc]

I just bought an Epson Perfection V750 Pro. It works very well, indeed.

 

[J.Kendall]

I'm a Canon fan

 

[Mike_E]

Have you seen this one? It's in the price range of the other two.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN/V600/V600.HTM

 

[molested_cow]

I got Epson V700, no complain.

 

[usayit]

Epson... V700 totally happy but I have had wonderful results from a variety of Epson flatbed models.

[edit]
I posted samples from my V700 a long time ago ..

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/digital-discussion-q/62119-epson-v700-experiences.html

 

[djacobox372]

I'm a fan of the epson, just make sure your film is flat and your film carrier is adjusted to the right height.

 

[Dwig]

I too am quite happy with the performance of my EPSON, though I have the v700, which at slightly less than $500USD right now (Epson Perfection V700 Photo Scanner, Overview - Product Information - Epson America, Inc.) is out of the OP's price range.

The 4490/v500/v600 family are still good but don't have as high a D-max (dynamic range) and lack the dual lens arrangement that, for improved film scanning, that is one of the improvements in the the v700/750 pair.

 

[djacobox372]

I too am quite happy with the performance of my EPSON, though I have the v700, which at slightly less than $500USD right now (Epson Perfection V700 Photo Scanner, Overview - Product Information - Epson America, Inc.) is out of the OP's price range.

The 4490/v500/v600 family are still good but don't have as high a D-max (dynamic range) and lack the dual lens arrangement that, for improved film scanning, that is one of the improvements in the the v700/750 pair.

I also have the v700... it's the same as the 750 it just doesn't come with the wet-mount equipment.

 

[Lazy Photographer]

Thanks everyone. My friend's been monitoring this thread and I'm sure he'll take all into account when making his final decision.

 

[Buckster]

I'm using the Canon 8800f and am very happy with it.