I have the opportunity to purchase an older model film scanner - in this case a Canon Canoscan FS2720U. Although it's about 6 years old it's almost new and the price would be $100 which is very low considering dedicated film scanners run $400+++

The max resolution is 2720 dpi which I'm Ok with - I realize that 4000+ dpi is now the norm. Canon has released Win XP drivers for the machine.

I have hundreds of rolls of 35mm film shot prior to 2005 that I would like to digitize.

Here are my questions:

1. This scanner does not batch process from what I read. Is that a limitation of software or hardware? Is that a feature I will curse not having?

2. I'm not sure what software it came with but is it likely to be incompatible with newer versions of photoshop or more updated scanning software?

3. Is this likely to be easier and faster than my flatbed Epson Perfection 1650?

Thanks in advance.

1. If you have a lot to scan, it is almost invariable you will regret not having batch scanning. Scanning is slow, even at 2720 dpi.

2. Use Silverfast or VueScan. Just about everything else will be worse.

3. I'm not familiar with the Epson, but an advantage of a flatbed is the ability to scan a lot more surface area unattended. You don't want to spend your life in front of the computer and scanner waiting -- which you'll do if you're scanning 1 to 6 35mm frames at a time with normal quantities of shots.

Regards,
Bravin Neff

I'll second Bravin's comments. Time is the big issue for me, figure at least 2 mins per scan on the film scanner (more if you do ICE or other things). 100 rolls at 24 per is 2,400 images which would take at least 20 hours.

I have a Nikon coolscan film scanner and Canon Canoscan flatbed with backlight/negative adapter. In my opinion the Nikon image is better, but for general purpose use the flatbed is not bad and I can load 12 images at a time (and do more than just 35mm too).

I would also take a look at the V700.

There is a great 20 page in depth review at: http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%20V750/page_1.htm

A lot of the 2700ppi scanners had problems accentuating grain on color negative emulsions, especially high speed emulsions. The negs would print nicely but scan terribly, my old Minolta Scan Multi also has this problem. This is one of the reasons that after 4000ppi scanners were introduced almost no one sold 2700ppi units.
The 1650 Epson is an older scanner and that generation Epson's did not have the best reputation with 35mm. With the V700 they seem to have solved the problems they had with 35mm. I have had one for 2 years, scans 35mm very well, 12 slides, 24 negs at a time, each can be individually adjusted. Sharpness and film grain structure is there. This scanner equalled my Nikon LS2000 in sharpness and had better dynamic range. 12 images at a time (about 1/2 hour at 3200ppi double with digital ice) is a good amount to scan, you can get away fro the scanner but not long enough to forget about it.
Good Luck

Tom