Why should I buy a V700?

[N Miller]

I've been using an Epson 2450 for a number of years now and it's still
in working order. I'm just a serious amateur and I rarely print my 120
negs bigger than 10x10 on A3 paper, so I normally scan at 1200 resolution.

I know that the V700 comes with digital ICE and that's certainly a plus,
but I'm trying to decide if that alone is worth $500 plus. What else is
there about the V700 that would be important or useful and therefore
justify the expense?

My 2450 came with the usual set of plastic toy film holders. I designed
a better one and more recently found a 3rd-party 120 film holder with
glass that does a fine job. I'd be reluctant to have to start all over
again in that department. Does anyone know the dimensions of the
opening in the V700's cover?

Norman Miller

 

[Bart van der Wolf]

I've been using an Epson 2450 for a number of years now and it's
still in working order. I'm just a serious amateur and I rarely
print my 120 negs bigger than 10x10 on A3 paper, so I normally scan
at 1200 resolution.

Assuming that your 120 negs are sharp, printing them at a minimum of
120 ppi resolution wouldn't do them justice. You would probably get
better results by scanning at 2400 ppi, and applying some resolution
boosting sharpening. Mind you, this assumes the filmholder positions
the film at approx. optimal distance above the platen.

I know that the V700 comes with digital ICE and that's certainly a
plus, but I'm trying to decide if that alone is worth $500 plus.
What else is there about the V700 that would be important or useful
and therefore justify the expense?

You'll most likely get even better resolution, again depending on the
film image quality. There is relatively little practical user
information at this point in time to decide if the scanner build
quality and dynamic range has improved much, although I'd be surprised
if true DR hasn't. You may want to check the

My 2450 came with the usual set of plastic toy film holders. I
designed a better one and more recently found a 3rd-party 120 film
holder with glass that does a fine job.

Maybe they'll make an alternative to the Wetmount carrier that's
supposed to be an option to the V700.

I'd be reluctant to have to start all over again in that department.
Does anyone know the dimensions of the opening in the V700's cover?

<http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson V700/page_1.htm>

Bart

 

[N Miller]

Assuming that your 120 negs are sharp, printing them at a minimum of
120 ppi resolution wouldn't do them justice. You would probably get
better results by scanning at 2400 ppi, and applying some resolution
boosting sharpening. Mind you, this assumes the filmholder positions
the film at approx. optimal distance above the platen.

Could you be more specific about the resolution boosting sharpness? I'd
be glad to try it.

nm

 

[tomm42]

I have the Epson V700, the scanner has good sharpness and great dynamic
range (better dr than my Nikon LS-2000). I have scanned a few 120 negs
and chromes, the images are sharp enough to see grain. Better than some
Kodak Pro-PhotoCD scans that I had done a few years ago. You have the
original scanner in Epson's film scanning line. My understanding is
that every generation of these scanners has improved from the other.
Mike Johnson on the "Online Photographer" called the model before the
V700 (4990?) the new darkroom. The main rap on these is that 35mm is
not sharp enough, and not as good as dedicated film scanners (I imagine
that 120 would be the same way compared to say a Nikon 9000). The V700
may have gotten it right, I only have a Nikon LS-2000 and a Minolta
ScanMulti to compare it to, but the V700 does very well in comparison.

Tom

 

[Dave]

I've been using an Epson 2450 for a number of years now and it's still
in working order. I'm just a serious amateur and I rarely print my 120
negs bigger than 10x10 on A3 paper, so I normally scan at 1200 resolution.

I know that the V700 comes with digital ICE and that's certainly a plus,
but I'm trying to decide if that alone is worth $500 plus. What else is
there about the V700 that would be important or useful and therefore
justify the expense?

My 2450 came with the usual set of plastic toy film holders. I designed
a better one and more recently found a 3rd-party 120 film holder with
glass that does a fine job. I'd be reluctant to have to start all over
again in that department. Does anyone know the dimensions of the
opening in the V700's cover?

Norman Miller

Hi Norman,

The Epson V700 lid opening is 8.5x11.5 inches and will scan up to 8x10
negatives and transparencies. (been there, done that)

Hope this helps,
Dave