Comparing 5 Epson Film Scanning Techniques

[@nickcarverphoto]

Because I'm such a nice guy, you can skip to the verdict at 5:06. But please, before you leave a comment saying how I’m wrong and my video sucks and I should have done everything differently, at least watch the entire thing. Enjoy! 👍🏼

[@bthemedia]

So awesome... how many hours of work, testing and editing was that? All summed up into a 10min video - with a highlight direct to the verdict - God bless you my good man! 👍👏😃🎞 Just curious... Any download example scans? Example height settings on the BetterScanning tray? Will watch again on my monitor instead of phone :) 🖥 >📱

[@nickcarverphoto]

bwvids thank you, my friend! I was thinking of putting the sample images into a blog post for people to reference if they’re interested.

[@GordonMoat]

Just a suggestion. You can eliminate using the Mylar, and get even more improvement. It will take some practice to get it right, and avoid bubbles. I place the film emulsion side to glass carrier, leaving the smooth side upwards, which allows easy bubble removal. I know it sounds weird, but I've been doing this many years this way.

[@strongjrs]

I can't tell you how much of a treasure your channel is. An unbelievable resource of information. You make scanning painless and a joy. Which just makes shooting all the much more enjoyable as well.

[@Reason-fg4ik]

Nice video, and I appreciate your honesty about your results. Thanks a million!

[@grainydaysss]

I've actually found the sharpest way to scan to be shooting the negative with an old Motorola razor phone haha. Thanks for the tips!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Ha! Well I think I know what my next tutorial will be...

[@phonologic]

Hi Nick, I recently discovered your channel. As a professional photographer myself for over 12 years, I’m finding your vids really informative and watchable. I like that you don’t edit too much like so many of the A.D.D. Vids out there. Straight goods, nice and dry, with a dash of lolz. Nicely done. Thanks for these tips too. I learned a few new things here and my scanning is already improving.

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

Seriously, this presentation from you, Nick, blows all the other scanner videos out of the room. Certainly in terms of getting the best out of a Flatbed scanner. 👌 ☆☆☆☆☆

[@RossJukesPhotography]

Always so exciting when there’s a new *Nick* video 😉

[@nickcarverphoto]

Ross Jukes Photography thank you!

[@patmccarthy1624]

Nick - you've opened my eyes! Here we were with an Epson 800, and had no idea as to it's potential. Thanks for the wake-up!

[@clickroach]

I've scanned hundreds of 8x10 negatives wet-mounted directly on the glass of my v700. After many exhibitions displaying 24x30 prints from this scan method, I can confirm, the lower resolution lens is completely adequate for that format.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Good to know. Thanks for the confirmation.

[@b-roll642]

I have a v850. Nice to hear you praise the trays. I’m not a pro, so I’m happy enough with that.

[@karimbiri]

You should start a Patreon, your channel is actually very useful. unlike others ! I would happily contribute to see more quality content from you.

[@nickcarverphoto]

I've considered that, but I worry I wouldn't have enough time to put out the videos I promised to my patrons. I'm not really sure how frequently you're supposed to put out content on Patreon, but I'll look more into it. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@karimbiri]

@@nickcarverphoto give it a go , if it turns out too much work you can always end it. Or if it works out you'll get your photo trip paid for ;)

[@gchristopherklug]

Nick Carver I would sign up for your Patreon in a minute

[@johndoddato2662]

Nick, When I first started scanning with my Epson V750 a number of years agos, I adapted my Epson glass frame with home made calibarated shims to raise the negative to the proper focus point. I wet mount on the underside of the glass to eliminate scanning through the extra glass. At the time it was the only way I could find to do a underneath wet scan using the Epson glass frame. It is still working good for me but I am glad to learn about the better scan and their product if I decide to upgrade. I always enjoy your informative videos. John Doddato

[@theclovercross]

Thanks for sharing! It's great to see people putting up videos on how to use flatbed scanners in a good way. Sure, using a dslr to photograph the negatives gives sharp results but the colours are really lacking when going that route.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Amen to that. I'll be doing a comparison video soon of the DSLR method vs an Epson V750 vs a drum scan.

[@Miguel-kh9pc]

@@nickcarverphoto Looking forward to that one. Is this the reason you prefer (I assume) to do flatbed scanning vs DSLR scanning? Or is there more to it?

[@nickcarverphoto]

@@Miguel-kh9pc The short answer is that stitching images and color correcting with DSLR scanning proved to be a bigger hassle than it was worth.

[@GrainyByNature]

Option 6, Try wet mount inverted Epson tray. You can flip it so your not scanning through the glass like better scanning. That’s what I’ve used for sharp results but Bettering Scanning gives you more adjustments.

[@morepork281]

Nick Carver upload and a trim flat white, great start to my day!! Very interesting. I actually had a V750 and sold it because I was fortunate enough to get hold of an Imacon 848. Fast forward 18 months and I re-purchased a V800. Firstly because I'd seen the results from their new film holders and secondly because I wanted to take some workload off the Imacon. The Epsons are plenty good enough for anything other than 35mm in my experience.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I have the 850 and have been using the Epson trays that came with it I set them in the lowest setting and the scans look great. Though my trays don’t fit 120 and 4x5 film and I had to cut the tabs out of the way.

[@therealpoka]

"ARE YOU SICK OF IT YET", hands down best channel out there!

[@adambellemare3265]

Hey Nick, great videos. This was super helpful for me figuring out what to use for my 4x5 scanning. Thanks a lot, I love your channel.

[@absolutmax]

Nice comparison Nick, I learned something new! On my V750 I use the delivered tray and put incrementing strips of tape under the height adjustment, until it was just perfect. Now I find the scans coming out of it really nice and printable.

[@Huginn1000]

Hello, Max! Can you please make a photo of how it looks?

[@Red-fx7hc]

The only youtube channel i have my notification on! Love your work!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Yeeeaah! Thank you!

[@fotoresearch]

You are still my first choice in photography knowledge, inspiration about the 6x17 format (I love it!)(I use a Fuji G617 myself) and the way I run video on youtoube :))) I love your channel! :)

[@cinnamon--girl]

Thanks Nick! I scan 6x6 and 4x5 with a v700 (and sometimes a medium format digital camera), and may upgrade to the v850. I am not interested in fluid scanning. I had a Betterscanning mounting station years ago for a different scanner but found it to be cheaply made and tossed it. 😠 Times change and so does manufacturing. I appreciate this review a lot!!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@danchannel9316]

Thank you for this. Your videos are incredibly helpful. I appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge.

[@AlejandroGonzalez-AGS]

I’m learning a lot from you Nick...the fact is you never end learning! Thanks much and keep them coming. Cheers, Alex

[@acidsnow5915]

epson has some great flatbed scanners i use one myself! thanks for sharing all this great content with us! always appreciate watching videos like this!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you for watching!

[@john_murch]

Good to know, I will continue to use my V850 MF tray. And timely as I'm about to scan a bunch of Velvia and Provia 120 films. Your challenge Nick Carver is to produce another relevant instructional video just before I'm about to do something again! Cheers...:)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Challenge accepted!

[@john_murch]

@@nickcarverphoto You're the man!

[@azzalos]

Thanks a lot Nick. I just discovered your channel and it helped me a lot. I was gonna buy a DSLR just for scanning film thanks to all those other hipsters on KZbin claiming it works better. Damn that would’ve been a lot of wasted time and effort for an amateur photographer. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@nickcarverphoto]

I think it's probably a great method if you're doing 35mm or any sort of scan where you're not stitching multiple images together. And I think if you can get good at the color inversion, that part wouldn't be too much of a headache. But, alas, it just isn't a good fit for me.

[@omni5129]

Hi Nick, I have a V750 pro, no you don't have to scan 8x10 on the glass. I stuffed around with trying to work it out for a while, asking in a facebook forum. Turns out the issue was the front part of the film holder/shim. I copied my "scan science" cardboard shims of 4x5's for an 8x10 and it kept on cropping the width of the scan. It's those little tabs at the top that govern the width of the scan, the sensor picks up on them and crops it in... So just cut them off and move your holder back from the front of the scanner so nothing blocks it at the first part of the scan, it then sets it at the widest scan and I can do full width 8x10 scans on cardboard shims at perfect focus.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Good tip. I didn't know about that. Thanks!

[@ivm1058]

I really wish you made videos more often man. Love your content. Hats off to you my friend.

[@sbphotography3751]

Thanks, very helpful - especially the tip about the V850 tray!

[@gchristopherklug]

I’m shopping for one now

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Very helpful Nick, thank you for sharing all your testing.

[@filminrussia7095]

Love your channel! And waiting for new videos!

[@paulfranke9840]

Enjoy your videos - always informative and fun to watch. Thanks!

[@partypie1977]

I have no clue what any of that meant... but its you.. so I listen.

[@fangxusun1723]

you sound like his wife.

[@bebox7]

Great video - and very interesting outcomes. If you only used the other methods you could end up blaming your lens for that colour fringing when it was in fact the scanning method.

[@张嘉效]

虽然没听太清楚，不过还是很喜欢，你的视频都超好看，超级喜欢。等有时间了好好看一遍字幕，好搞清楚意思。期待你的更新，加油💪。

[@stecchris9547]

Love your videos mate so much better than the average youtube "photographer"

[@jonneville2287]

I like your videos, and above all, your presentation. Very well done. Your images are also something that piques my interest - a sort of panoramic New Topographics style. Often, pan shots include too much useless information, and the eye scans left to right away from the (usually ) central subject. But you are able to balance the composition just right, and not draw attention to the extra wide view. Good work.

[@flowerlittle1810]

IT is really enjoying to go into your video and life. I check every episode many times. I love you running left and right, back and forth to light Saguaro. I would like to say there are many special moments. many, many, hope to have chance to visit you. I am hong kong China.

[@brianentz2785]

Loved this video. Very helpful. I may pick up a new tray.

[@petepictures]

Well done, and straight to the point.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you

[@_MattyG_]

Thanks for the videos! They are a big help 👨‍💻

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jimbojam]

this was excellent, thank you. I had a feeling the betterscanning tray would be best.

[@stoystorieschannel3574]

Cool! Thanks for the hard work! Very informative and always a pleasure to watch your videos Mr Carver!

[@ApostolosNikolaidis1]

Super informative, as always. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@Harlequin565]

Really helpful, thanks. I have a V550 and if I ever take anything good enough to warrant it, I'd like to have a go at wet mounting. Just did a comparison of Ilford SFX & Rollei 400 and was getting significantly sharper results from the Rollei film, but after seeing the curl on SFX I suspect it was more down to the scan than the film itself. May have to invest in a betterscan holder just to see which is best without that issue. Still - even with the default (no glass) holder for the V550 I'm getting super results that I can print to 13x19. And for me, that's pretty good. Thanks again and this new 2 videos a month thing is definitely working ;-p

[@jonolaba]

As always, really nice video Nick! But crap, I think I'm late to tell you a different holder system to scan 120 film (and also 135). Did you heard about the Lomography Digitaliza120? Quite innovative concept that "holds" the negative stretched using little magnets and without using any glass! Give it a look and tell me what you think. I use it and I'm quite happy with it. Congratulations for your channel, really mindblowing content. Hats off to you!

[@stealthvanlife6867]

Excellent video Nick. Any plans on sharing your process for adjusting the better scanning holder?

[@seandrepi]

You missed one method of scanning - The Digitaliza by Lomography. Uses a unique mounting method which pinches the outer edges of the film only, eliminating the need to scan through any glass (besides the glass bed of the scanner, of course). I've found that it keeps film flat well enough, but sometimes the "wavy" sections of 120 film still aren't tamed by this method. Another point against this product is that it does not offer adjustable height, although I have used tape to shim it up to the focus plane of my v850. Anyways, appreciate the video and trying out these methods so that I don't have to! I am curious about the BS holder and will probably try that next for anything I need to print large or just to geek out at the detail of medium format. I also enjoy squeezing out every bit of quality from my equipment - major kudos for explaining your process and keeping things consistent so that the results can truly be compared! So many times the scientific method is lacking with youtube content creators and it really invalidates their conclusions sometimes, but I'm rambling now... Cheers!

[@brentsmith9411]

Another Digitaliza user here. It's definitely not perfect, and it took some trial and error to determine I needed to raise it up a bit with cutout mat board to get it into better focus. But I'm mostly happy with the results.

[@BillMcCarroll]

Man Nick, all your stuff is spot on...you seem to nail any subject that I need to know but I didn’t know I needed to know it. Kind of like you don’t know what you don’t know. Does that make sense? ;-0. Now I have to try wet scanning on my V850!!!!

[@zguy95135]

Would you ever consider trying scanning with a camera? It's really is super easy and the sharpness of fine details will blow you away. Color correction used to be the hard part but now with Negative Lab Pro (not an ad btw) it's so easy and the best color I've seen out of a scanner... If you can set up a tripod and level it you can scan with a camera, all you need is a cheap macro lens and a light table.

[@paulkaihla7743]

Very, very helpful. I've been through a V600, and now working out the software bugs with the V800 (which has not kept up with Apple O/S).

[@abigailsockeye1586]

Thank you. I needed to see this comparison and it came just in time.

[@martinpearce7420]

Thank you mate for putting this on your are a gentleman kindest regards UK

[@calvinchann1996]

Next video: focusing your scanner.

[@cschebel]

Very nice. Thanks for the video.

[@talleyrand9442]

Excellent info! I have a question. How does the better scanning fluid mount compare to a drum scan? Do you have a comparative example? Thanks

[@JRileyStewart]

Wet mounting? I find less fluid is much better. I use less than 3 mls for 2 4x5 negs at a time. In the video, looks like you used about 20. Extremely thin layers is what I’m after. Easily remove bubbles with a pec cloth. And evaporation during a session is insignificant. Try it.

[@Intel-i7-9700k]

7:39 Somehow right at this point in the video, some coffee got on my monitor. Pretty hilarious :D

[@lintownboy]

Time for some more on location in the desert, those are the best videos on this channel, no offense :)

[@nickcarverphoto]

You know, some people get into it for the money, but for me it's back-handed compliments like these that really inspire me to go out and make more free videos 😂

[@lintownboy]

@@nickcarverphoto Glad to hear that. You dont seem to be inspired by green at all, just the pure enjoyment of making videos, that makes me love this channel so much more. But also keep making videos like these if you enjoy them, I will still tune in as long as the regular on location videos keep coming :)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Lindstenfoto good to see people enjoy the on location videos. I’ll definitely be doing more.

[@weschilton]

Well, it makes sense that you would have better chromatic control scanning through only one piece of glass.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Precisely. But what's weird is even the V850 tray and the ground glass technique both had a little more chromatic aberration than the inverted fluid mount. Still one piece of glass, but maybe the fact they were dry mounted had something to do with it.

[@ghosttownsentinel5288]

I have experienced unsightly chromatic aberration when I use iSRD in Silverfast. Taking it out solves it. I wonder if that's the culprit in your case as well.

[@levanbutsashvili4786]

Nick we need more on location videos ! :D

[@andreapiombin2145]

I've found (V850 Tray) if I scan reverse film (emulsion side faced to the bottom of the scanner) the definition is a little better,

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

OOOO WEEEEEEEe now that is a 1st class review well done sir .

[@michaelj7069]

Well I guess the rabbit hole of scanning is calling my name now. Damn you Carver. Joking. Mostly.

[@nickcarverphoto]

It'll be nice to have some company down at the bottom of this rabbit hole.

[@michaelj7069]

Nick Carver I actually do really appreciate all these tips you share. Pretty awesome stuff.

[@IainHC1]

Loved this! Crucial information here for us togs! Ta Nick :-)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@travellma8562]

Yo Nick! you Rock... and you are funny has hell!

[@Qigate]

Always love you videos... great fun

[@FILMARCHIVCHEMNITZ]

Den Epson-Filmhalter muss man mit selbstgebauten Füßchen in die Position bringen und im Scann-Programm, Scann mit Filmhalter, einstellen. Sonst wird der Scann unscharf. Man muss bei dem Epson-Filmhalter auch die Maske benutzen sonst wirft die Perforation bei 35mm-Filmen, schatten ins Foto.

[@chadkrzmarzick]

Love the way you shoot and can't wait for more on-location videos. Question: Any experience with the DA YI 6x17 roll film back? Thinking of getting one and shooting with a 4x5 for some pano landscape stuff. Thanks Nick!

[@oxaxap]

It would be nice if you could compare the v850 tray to the betterscanning dry mount. The betterscanning is almost four times the price.

[@janet4637]

Very helpful! thank you Nick!

[@Richardsumilang]

This is such quality!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you sir!

[@markharris5771]

Very interesting and very useful, thank you.

[@RaymundAmonoy]

Hi sir Nick! I tried contacting betterscanning but I never get back from them, did the company shuts down or change the name? Maybe you have any information about them. Thanks!

[@ChrisKonieczny]

Do you happen to know if betterscanning is still producing these? I have tried to order twice now and have not heard anything back from them. I also sent them emails and did not receive a response.

[@Siillky]

I tried a year ago and nothing

[@Crazy41ism]

Thank you very much for the comparison. :)

[@JRileyStewart]

Lots of folks asking about checking focus on the Epson scanners. Here's how I did it: jrileystewart.com/blog/2017/04/10/easily-verify-the-focus-on-your-flatbed-scanner/

[@guymaclean7107]

Love this, super helpful. Have you ever considered trying wet mount on the piece of glass that you hold up with shims? sort of like a make shift better-scanning mount? These mounts are really hard to come by in Australia and I wonder if this would bridge the gap...?

[@mansooranwar8116]

Nice video sir, thank you! I have a few questions for you... what model & size is your Gepe light table? Where did you get it? Also, why does the scanner have to use a lower resolution lens if you scan directly on its glass?

[@alexkryszkiewicz980]

Thanks a lot for this video, very helpful!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Glad to hear it!

[@StevesFilmThoughts]

Great video. I have also been hunting for the best way to scan my film and I ended up designing and building a film holder for scanning on my Epson v750 that holds the film perfectly flat with no glass, no fluid, and ultra high focus adjustment. I'd be curious to see how it compares to your results.

[@Theprophet3531]

Would you mind sending some pictures over of your setup? I'm really interested in this.

[@amazinglightstudiosllc5179]

i freaking love your videos man!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you!

[@pgawlik02]

Where did you order the V850 tray from? I was thinking of doing the same, as I am having a lot of curling on my older film. And thanks for the video!

[@MrAtlantis95]

The most reviewers reviewing a V800/V850 advise to buy a V700 frame without glass (yep). That reviewers don't any additional liquid during scanning. The problem that dust can appear on the glass which seems to be hard to remove.

[@RustyTube]

Where did you buy the V850 trays? B&H does not seem to have them.

[@c.augustin]

I'm 5 years late … but well, thinking about it - the color fringing when scanning through the glass might be kind of a "prismatic effect" due to its thickness. When doing camera scanning, the glass is always below the film, and due to the larger DoF, it should not matter if the film base or the emulsion is facing to the camera (film defects should be similarly visible and influence the result both ways). No surprise there, but good to know!

[@FrankoFM2]

Excellent 👍🇬🇧

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thanks!

[@emanuelllR]

So helpful, thanks man!

[@digiternst]

Love your content, Nick! Any advise for scanning old 35 mm rolls of negatives that have been tightly wound for 50+ years? They're like springs and *really* hard to handle. I can get them under glass which works ok but then... the dreaded newton's rings...

[@zachpw]

Can I make a recommendation? I’m assuming you’re lighting your set. I think some gels would take the lighting to the next level. Maybe a 1/2 CTO on the overhead key and a 1/2 CTB on the light camera right. It would look more like a lamp over you and a window to the side. Maybe add a small, dim, 1/4 plus green kicker in front of your left foot shining up. Great video as usual! Interesting results.

[@nickcarverphoto]

I wish I had the patience and time for that. I actually don't even light these videos. Just ugly overhead fluorescents.

[@zachpw]

Nick Carver Oh I thought you had a large octabox or something right over you (although I was wondering why you went with directly overhead). Honestly it’s pretty nice light as it is. Looks better than 90% of stuff out there.

[@zbvision]

Nick, I wanted to inquire about the betterscanning Variable Height Mounting Station, specifically the glass. I was wondering what the primary difference in glass quality is between the fluid mount only and Dry + Fluid Mounting Station. Are both made of true glass or is the Dry + Fluid ANR glass made of Acrylic like the epson OEM v850 ANR 'glass' film holders? Which one did you purchase with your Variable Height Mounting Station? Super informative video. Thank you for your time!

[@ralphedelbach]

I taught photography classes at a college for many years and recognize the fine job you did covering this subject. Well done! Where do you explain your "ground glass technique" of scanning? THX

[@m00dawg]

Few I was getting withdraws from not having an Nick Carver video to watch. Thanks for spending the time and sharing these results! I am curious - how was dust with the V850 holder? I found it tends to be a dust monster unless I use a Zerostat, polish clothes, and sometimes some Novus 1 plastic cleaner and after all that sometimes I can get good results (before iSRD which does tend to work decently well). I wish Epson sold versions of these that used real glass instead of plastic. It's not such a big deal for 120 but for 35mm black and white, it's sometimes a small nightmare.

[@donk.johnson7346]

The first I've ever heard of this.

[@thomaspopple2291]

Thank you for this video. Showed up at exactly the right time for me.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for watching.

[@albertogarcia1386]

Hi Nick. Thanks for the video. I recently purchased a v850 holder with the ARN glass to work with my Epson v700 but I am struggling to get that thing clean from dust before scanning the negatives, it is like a magnet for the dust. How do you handle this issue when you are scanning the negatives?

[@jacopotassinari]

Nice video, really interesting! Would you suggest wet scanning for black and white negs on a epson v800?

[@thomasz1543]

Such a great video, extremely useful for me and saves me so much time going through all the options. I just have one quick question: do you use the Epson trays with the film side facing the scanner or or as recommended - facing up?

[@xelacrypt]

great vid! could you make one on how you use silverfast?

[@smillerstube]

Hi Nick, your videos are very informative and amusing, which is very rare. It’s good to know that the standard epson film holder is quite good. Did you have a chance to test the better scan normal film holders in the mean time. Greetings from Munich, Germany

[@Richardsumilang]

Nick, do you recommend a sleeve for the 850 film trays to keep dust and stuff off them as much as possible? Maybe something like the stone photo gear you have on the scanner but for the actual trays? Thanks!

[@nickcarverphoto]

It couldn't hurt. I keep mine in a drawer covered with a sheet of paper. The 850 tray is great, but man is it prone to dust!

[@Neo-n_Cowboy]

Hey Nick, How necessary do you think Aztek's mylar is? I've tested some much cheaper durlar off amazon and I think it works pretty well. What do you think?