Took a bit of manual reading to figure out how to use the film attachments. But I'm very happy with the quality of scans I'm getting from this product. However, I'm giving it four starts because the Silverfast software that comes with it is a total bust. After an hour of playing with it, I still couldn't get a decent scan out of the Silverfast software. Stick to the Epson scanner software, which is actually much easier to use and provides better results.
Also, this model has scanner profiling software and a color targets.The process of profiling the scanner was more complicated than it needed to be because you have to track down the proper download files to match the specific version of the targets shipped. The download link provided doesn't go to the actual download page. You'll have to search around the site until you find the right page. There wasn't an exact match online for the target version I received, so I used the best available match. After spending a couple of hours profiling the scanner, the difference between the custom scanner profile I created and the generic V850 profile provided by default was infinitesimally small. It took a lot of staring at histograms of scans to even determine that there was a difference.
The moral is, unless you need two sets of film trays, you can probably save the $150 bucks and get the V800.
I bought this scanner primarily to scan 120 medium format negatives, mostly black and white, and that remains my sole use of the equipment. As such, it performs entirely satisfactorily. The film holder for 120 film is robust plastic with anti-Newton Ring glass. Loading the film is a little tricky as it is difficult, particularly in the case of curling film, to get the film both flat and centered in the the holder (I typically scan three 6cm x 6cm images at a time), but once achieved the holder does hold the film tight and flat. The holder is easily positioned on the scanner. Epson supply two scanning programs, Epson Scan and Silverfast SE Plus. For 8-bit scans, the Silverfast software is adequate, but to work with 16-bit images, you would need the full Studio AI version of Silverfast's software to get proper control over your scanning. Thus for 16-bit scans, I use the supplied Epson Scan, a much more limited program than Studio AI, but entirely capable of producing a contrast and levels balanced 16-bit RGB image which is my preferred scanning method for both color and black and white negatives. Importing this image into Photoshop CC allows me to make the types of contrast and curve adjustments that I would be able to do with Silverfast Studio AI during the scan.
Typically, simply to control file size, I scan my negatives as 8-bit RGB (24-bit) via Silverfast SE Plus, but for images I prize above others I will use the Epson Scan for full 16-bit images for a marginal increase in scanning quality (most manifest in shadow area detail). Quality is excellent, with details rendered clearly and grain (always reduced for medium format compared to 35mm) present in a realistic manner. Tonal range is good, likely lacking somewhat compared to rendering the negative's image with an enlarger and photosensitive paper, but more than adequate for most purposes. Scan times are about 2 minutes for a 6cm x 6cm image scanned at 3200 dpi which is certainly fast enough for me.
No flatbed scanner that handles transparencies can give you the sharpness of a drum scanner, but this machine comes as close as any flatbed can do.
On the plus side, the LED light sources need very little warm-up time, and the multiple film holders and software allow for efficient scanning of multiple items in a single pass.
On the negative side, the film holder for 120 film is poorly designed, and requires a lot of fiddling in many cases. Also, the Epson scan software could use some improvement. [The "zoom" function in the scan preview provides an inscrutably minimal size increase over the standard preview, for example, and the slider controls for image adjustment are way too small and fiddly.] Proper color management is very difficult to achieve.
The "Digital Ice" software does not work on either black & white or Kodachrome transparencies - I assume most folks know this already, but be prepared to do your own dust busting.
I previously had the perfection 4990, which in its day was the best there was. This is a nice upgrade that includes some technology features that were not available when the 4990 was produced. This has the LED light, so warm up is much faster not only when you start it up, but also between scans. That saves much time. The updated event manager software is more tightly integrated to the scanner, than with the older model 4990. The model 850 pro is somewhat louder during scans than the 4990 I had before it. If you are a professional like me, than the 850 pro may be worth the extra money. It adds a better software package, upgraded optics, and an extra set of film/negative holders, I have however found the holders to leave allot to be desired because of the flawed design. This was the only disappointing part of my purchase. I have had to either modify, or re design the holders altogether. If you are an amateur the the regular model 800 will be more than adequate for you. But if you are a professional like me, it may be worth the extra cost to gain the the extras that only come with the 850 pro. One more thing to note is that with the 800 and 850 pro. you can order a fluid mount kit, for wet negative,positive scans to produce even better scans. This option is not included with either model, but is an optional accessory.
I had a HUGE slide scanning project to complete for my family history--5000 slides in all. Decades of slides taken! This scanner is amazing. In fact, it is so good that I have to dust off each slide because it captures the dust on the images. There is a preview screen which is helpful to cull unwanted slides. You can scan 12 slides at a time. The scan is slow--about 8 minutes, BUT, this scanner does an amazing job. It is, no doubt, the right tool for the job. I am halfway through my "project" that I thought was going to be my life's work. This scanner also scans negatives from print slides and film, but I will not be
Feature Product
- Pro quality color & detail - get unparalleled scans w/ 6400 dpi resolution & adv
- Remarkable tonal range - 4.0 Dmax for smooth gradations & fine shadow detail
- Exclusive Dual Lens System - selects from 2 lenses for optimum results
- Operating Systems: Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Mac OS X 10.6.x, 10.7.x, 10.8.x, 10.10.x
Description
The pro-quality scanner with advanced control to archive film and photos. Professional-quality scans of slides and film with 6400 dpi, 4.0 Dmax, advanced optics, dual-lens scanning, LED array and Digital ICE. Includes film holders. Scanning Speed: High-speed mode: 4800 dpi|Full color: 10.8 msec / line (approx.)|Monochrome: 10.8 msec / line(approx.)
Great scanner. The included lite version of the SilverFast software is very frustrating to use when scanning slides. It forgets settings (e.g. customized name for the sets of slides) and the feature for scanning a BATCH is well and truly hidden under a multi-second hold-mouse-down click of the normal scanning button. The lite edition seems cruelly designed to torture the user into spending more money on the pro version in hopes of saving all the agony. For scanning slides, in particular, the tutorials and online help were not terribly helpful. For other types of scans such as individual photos, it may well be much easier. I did not need to use the other modes.
Nonetheless, I scanned over 2000 slides with it and I thought the quality was extremely good.
Speed of scanning depends on resolution. I was going for slightly less than archive quality. I averaged about 5 minutes per set of 12 slides. It would have been faster if I hadn't been capturing the notes on the edges of all the slides in an extra photo step.
If you don't have time to burn on the scanning, you might save money by sending the media to a place that will do it for you, obviously it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I can recommend Good Heart Media in New Hampshire.
After receiving numerous requests for photo scanning and organizing, I started looking for devices to help me do this. I chose this scanner after a great deal of research because of the brand’s reputation and quality, for the versatility and high DPIs. Though this is just one of several other devices I purchased, it’s a huge favorite. I couldn’t believe the huge variety of scanning templates. It scans nearly any kind of photo, slide or negative. Because there are 2 of each kind of template, I can get the next one ready while one is scanning. This allows me to get some decent workflow going. I’d have to spend a LOT more money to get something better.
Bought this for my business to scan thousands of slides for customers. I figured 12 at a time is faster than the standard 4 at a time. First run took 2o minutes for 12 slides with Digital Ice Technology.
Running a second batch without Digital Ice technology to see if it speeds it up. Scanning color slides at 1400 dpi. Attached is a slide scanned. Quality seems better than my old Epson scanner. Will update this review if I find anything better. Speed is not as fast as they mentioned in the description. Still a good buy thus far, based on quality.
The scanner is a fine piece of equipment, and works well and dependably. The accompanying Silverfast software does NOT work. There is a glitch somewhere in the software or driver that the software itself does not identify. Silverfast support is very difficult to reach, and when reached, is of no help. If purchased separately, rather than bundled with the scanner, I would demand a refund for the Silverfast.
This scanner is perfection! I've scanned prints, negatives and slides all with high quality results. I have no issues with the plastic holders; they work great and the quality is good. Setup was a breeze on my Mac.I highly recommend this scanner.
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