Scanning Film w/ Epson V600

In this episode, I walk through the process of scanning film with the Epson V600 scanner.
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Hey, this is Matt Day and thanks for visiting my channel! I'm just a photographer from southern Ohio that's passionate about what I do and I wanna share that with as many people as I can. As a subscriber to this channel, you can expect all kinds of content from the photography world that no other channel is giving you. You're not gonna see me reading specs on the latest Canon or Nikon cameras when they're announced. You're gonna see a lot of videos on shooting film, as well as some tutorials in both the digital and analog world. I'll be answering YOUR questions that you send in on a regular basis. I'll be sharing some general thoughts and advice I have for other photographers and creatives, and so much more. So make sure you subscribe and join all of us here!

[@zolalloyd46]

Have just bought myself a V600 in order to digital scan a lot of photos and negatives from my family archives; and this video was a great help. I started off in "Full Auto Mode" purely because I wanted to get quick scans without all the faffing about with restoration and cleaning. But I have now moved onto Professional Mode, and wow what a bit of time and patience can make to the final result! You have a great easy-on-the-ear voice, with no annoying background music or irritating editing. You kept it clear and simple, and I hooked up on that straight away. So thanks for the time and the effort.

[@alexanderrossa6037]

When choosing to save your scanned images to a file format, when you choose JPEG I'd recommend going into options and setting compression level to 1 (high quality) to make sure you get a better image result. You only need to do this once and it will save the setting.

[@tristanahmad8931]

i guess Im randomly asking but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@dalons3]

Almost four years later and this video is still INCREDIBLY useful. Thanks homie.

[@lrave17]

Hey Matt, crazy how 8 years later, all set ups recommended here worked great as I just scanned my first pictures, thanks!!

[@H____enry]

Hi Matt, Great video. I taught myself to scan medium format with my V500 through trial and error and it's nice to see that my workflow isn't out to lunch. I do find the digital ice feature on Epson scanners makes a huge difference in reducing dust dots on the final scans. Also, quick note from a Canadian: a toboggan is a sled and a toque is a hat. :)

[@statelypenguin]

As a guy from southeastern Ohio, I love hearing you call it a toboggan.

[@iamdesertpaul]

Also love my v600 for 120 film. Only difference is that I scan my negatives as a RAW TIFF. That way I get all the information I need as possible and do all my levels/curves work in photoshop.

[@SoumaMondal]

I’m looking to pick up a scanner for 35mm and this was SUPER helpful! I also LOVE that you call it a toboggan. I grew up in GA and that’s what my friends and I called it 👌🏽

[@carbonejack]

Thanks. I just got the V600 today. Never scanned film before and had no clue how to go about it. Your video helped a great deal in taking the mystery out of it. Thanks.

[@BoyKnitter]

Just got my Mamiya rb67 and the Epson v600 is on its way. I'm so excited! Thank you SO MUCh for this video. It has everything I needed and nothing I didn't. BIG HELP!!!!

[@Artur-kn4te]

I just bought epson V550 and I am really happy with it so thx for this video which very simplify process and on the end that what I am looking for. Good to know that people using flatbeds because I heard many negative opinions about it.

[@AlmightyUniden]

Got myself the Epson V750 Pro to scan my 4x5 and 8x10 negatives. Was pretty expensive at around a grand in total but it's probably the best investment I ever made. Love their scanners.

[@mattdayphoto]

I've heard the V750 is great. I'd love to scan my 4x5 negatives. One day!

[@neilbixby6120]

What a nice intro to scanning MF mono film. It makes you fall in love with film all over again. Sincerely, Neil Bixby/Adam Lindoro Photography Guelph Ontario Canada

[@dimitri13]

Hey Matt, glad to see another Epson V-series user. Just a few points though. You want to check unsharp mask if you don't plan on processing it any further. Uncheck unsharp mask if you plan on sharpening in post. Tiff format is like RAW for scans (in terms of information gathered), but can be viewed in an image viewer, unlike RAW. You can flatten the image with the histogram to recover the highlights and shadows, but I recommend post-processing with that, as it would look like a RAW file from a DSLR. Dust on the film isn't as big of an issue as dust on the scanner glass. Use a bright light at an angle to see the dust.

[@Lizerator]

So helpful, clear step by step info. I have this scanner and just started shooting 645 images (Fuji GA645). This was extremely helpful.

[@davidhill3043]

Nice mines coming tomorrow, found the cost of having my film processed and scanned was expensive. Hopefully this will enable me to shoot more film 👍👍👍

[@8897johnson]

Hi Matt. I know this is quite old but it helps me decide on buying a scanner.

[@MatteoPreziosoPH]

I keep on using a 4490 and still does such a great job. Only issue I've ever had is with those plastic guides that really suck. But the problem can be easily solved (there are many ways to go around.) Epson are very good scanner and won't bankrupt you.

[@deltadave44]

thanks for making this video!!..I've had the epson v600 for a couple of years now and never really knew what settings to use...it really excels at scanning slide film!

[@lenniebruce]

You've kept it short and simple Matt, that's good enough for me. Straight to the point m8 ;)

[@jameswelsh453]

Thanks for taking the time to make this excellent tutorial, I have just bought a v600 after watching your video!

[@NicolasPetit]

Hey ! I just bought one and your tutorial helps me a lot. No need to test for hours before scanning my first films ;) Thank you Matt !

[@davidhillier6216]

Very helpful info for helping me make my decision to acquire the V600. Presented well, easy to take in and retain, not overly technical but gets the info through to the viewer. Thanx again... Cheers

[@Geritopia]

Excellent and good tips for anyone using the Epson V600.

[@Garacha222]

I admire the gradations you shoot at ... the transition from sharpness to blur is a natural look for me. I first noticed it with other portraits you've shown with the Rolleiflex 2.8 F Review video, although some of those portrait shots had the abrupt transitions exactly like some famous images have.

[@tonyf779]

Thanks Matt! Very nice video with a great and easy-to-follow explanation. I used it for scanning black and white negatives and it answered all my questions.

[@bedrichkopriva4465]

Hi Matt.Thank you - nice instructions. I recently bought Pakon, but have problem to make it running. You have inspired me - I wanted to use it for the first quick scans and only the best pictures run again with more complicated scanning. Best wishes to all.

[@scottvanaken929]

Thank you very much for your clear explanation. It has helped quite a bit as I wanted to know how to use this feature on my Epson. Like you, I find using a dedicated scanner for slides MUCH faster.

[@natengqc]

Hey Matt, saw your Portra shots on your Instagram account and the colors are awesome! Care to share your color scanning workflow? What programs do you use? Thanks!

[@MarcS4R]

+1 for that

[@TiMCoop3r]

i can tell you, he sends his color to the lab! v600 and portra are crap combo

[@Alchemist3333]

@@TiMCoop3r Really? I was thinking of buying the V600 for scanning my 120 Portra shots. Have you tried using Negative Lab pro with Portra and V600?

[@Alchemist3333]

@@TiMCoop3r kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZakh3qeq8tskLM&ab_channel=NatePhotographic

[@DespiertaConciencias]

Wish he answer this question

[@michaelbuckley8986]

I’ve learnt quite a bit from this presentation.Thank you.

[@MRking-mz8wh]

only discovered your channel now, love it. Helping me work out the learning curve of film nicely.

[@gurinderheer4951]

I think will buy this scannar. Sounds good for the price. The video was good. Thanx a lot

[@wabashamj]

Great video Matt. Thank you. I'm looking for info as straight forward as this on printing digital negatives. Enjoying your videos

[@louiecorrales3802]

This video couldn't come at a better time! I was just looking into getting a scanner because I'm tired of paying scan fees.

[@wilborha]

Great video. I give my scanner bed a little puff of air as well as my film to get that extra little bit of dust off.

[@montycraig5659]

I shoot 4x5 a lot, but I just can't pull the trigger on a V850. I have started shooting a lot of 645, and 6x6 too, so I believe you have sold me on the V600. Thanks for the great information.

[@paulbroderick8438]

Very good introduction to the units use. Well done.

[@eminusipi]

Very helpful! So many posters use third party software which doesn't help me. I'm cheap! I didn't know that the included software was so capable. I think that you can change the "Current Setting" at the very top of the program to describe different settings. I'm getting back into B&W after many years and processed my 120 film the other day--stainless steel reel and tank with no kinks or overlaps! Last time I did this when I was using an enlarger and double weight graded fiber paper.

[@xjoexedge]

Everyone always asks me what software do you use, and i tell them epson scan, its so simple and great and the dust removal on it works pretty well. And I didn't realize the difference between the 600 and the 700(what i use). and GS is awesome love what they do and it being a hometown brand

[@mattdayphoto]

Epson Scan is more than what I need as well!

[@missprissmmv]

Thanks SO much for this tutorial! I just got my scanner hooked up yesterday & for this novice this tutorial was amazing. :)

[@DinoDiLabio]

Your video is very cool ,At least you explain yourself very thoroughly.

[@--onewheelskyward--]

Super awesome write-up. I learned a few things despite having used Silverlight and another Epson scanner for a couple of years. :)

[@RobertsonDMcI]

I enjoyed watching this video, after all these years. I thought you might be interested to know that in Canada on this day 28 Apr 2022, the Epson Canada web retails the V600 at $329.99 (Canadian), converting to US $256.44 ... inflation seems to have some effect.

[@mariorego6680]

Had a V600. Nice unit, than upgraded to V750 with wet mount. Being a large format printer, it really just didn't make my giclee prints larger than life. I was always a person that hated things half completed. So invested in a Howtek scan master 4500. Great for 120/4x5/8x10 but for 35mm I required something with a higher DPI. So of coarse invested in a Heidelberg D7100 which can take a 35 mm to 11,000 dpi. Now I can use my Nikon F5 to make reasonable large prints on my giclee printers. I did the darkroom in Edu for 3 years. But doing these prints requires a more mindset than the darkroom. I create icc profiles for my high end monitor, icc profiles for the scanner, using image print to make the final print. Each their own on printing, but I believe you got an argument if you got both to compare with. I know your going a little bet at a time. But if you need a little taste, I can do one for no cost to you.

[@georgebernstein1203]

Thanks, Matt. That was great and really helpful. I have a V600 coming soon.

[@EilertVataker]

Thanks for the quick introduction, really helpful.

[@WilliamGWatson]

Matt thank you for doing this video. Its guys like you, that have made me dust off my Epson scanner! Thanks for the inspiration !

[@BenjaminKanarek]

I just purchased the V550. I will only be using this scanner to scan my 6 x 4.5 medium format film and am using a dedicated scanner for my 35mm scans. I hope it is up to the task, as I still have my very old Epson Perfection 3200 that works, but is producing red lines through the scans.

[@nickolaspedrosa8534]

Best video on the subject yet. Very precise and clean explanations. Thank you so much. Is there anyway you could upload full size samples for each format (35mm, 645, 6x6, 6x7) so we could have a glipse at the resolution? Im sold on tonality, but I wanna know how big I can print from this scans. Thank you

[@fubar66]

Very well produced video. Helpful and straight to the point. Thanks!

[@gurinderheer4951]

I have lots of 120 colour slides which i took with my yashica mat camera. This was on 120 color slides hope the scannar will be good for this format.

[@BeeMichael]

Nicely done video, full of information. I have a zilloin 6X6 negs to scan from way back and have been putting them on a LED light box and shooting them with a digi cam ( very slow process) - but this looks like the way to go for me. $200 on Amazon so here I go. Thanx!

[@not28]

Thanks for making this. I love my V600 and I'm always interested in tips from others. Do you find there's better quality if you adjust the histogram in Epson Scan instead of Photoshop?

[@maresh2all]

Great video Matt! I was in doubt which scanner to buy but after watching your video I went straight and bought the Epson V600.

[@ds111dodger5]

How is it? I'm thinking of buying one tonight... Not sure what to do. I shoot mainly 35mm colour negatives.

[@maresh2all]

the quality is quite good. I had issues with getting the App to work on OSX. The only downside it takes forever to scan

[@ds111dodger5]

Thanks :) Its cheap though so I'll just get one.

[@SmithMrCorona]

Just got one - this was a great, simple run through. Thanks!

[@teddymarkov6741]

Best review I came across. It'd have been great to see the original files you scanned.

[@amosk24]

Great run through on using the Epson V600. I have this scanner, run through the steps pretty much the same as you. Though I got mine on craigslist for $100 :) My only regret is not getting it sooner. I was getting my BW developed, but not scanned for a year. Now I have so many negatives to scan :(

[@mattdayphoto]

Better get started! :)

[@VINCENTOCONNOR]

Thank you Matt. Great video 😀

[@YahorStaselka]

Thanks a lot for this video!!! I was about to buy v600 and now I'm sure I will enjoy my purchase) P.S. I really love the channel too, you've inspired me to shoot more and I hope you'll continue doing this, good luck)

[@GigglingChinchilla]

Thank you very much for this video! This video really helped me getting to learn my V600, so I know how to get the best out of my negatives. Very useful, thanks Matt. :)

[@brentdrafts2290]

Thanks for this review. I looked at this a while back but was unsure having watched. I just got my first DSLR, a Canon 5d. I have a Takumar 50/2.0 and a 135/3.5 with af adapter rings. I still do color and b/w in my darkroom. I use aa Bronica ETRSi and a Mamiya Press 6/7 & 6/9.

[@apulk1]

Matt -- thanks so much for doing this video. Gave me everything I needed to get started. Nice job.

[@taybrits4554]

This was a super good video that showed me exactly how to use the V600 I just bought, but where are you living that you call it a toboggan!!! As someone who calls it a toque, and rides toboggans down snowy hills, this confused me

[@Jedilost1]

Great video Matt, I have the v600 also and love it for medium format

[@mattdayphoto]

Thanks! It's great for 120!

[@kerime.7861]

i was scanning 35mm at max dpi. taking ages and ages to et scans i barely could open to see ._. thanks for the video ! helped a lot !

[@charlesstephens5974]

Matt, i love all your posts i am a newbie to film , although i dabbled with it in the late 70's..... the work flow you showed was really informative. I also loved your portrait video on your wife, i would love to know your post processing. BY THE WAY hope the new job is what you hoped for and you got over your flying thing. All the best and keep posting your stuff, peace and love....

[@drknutz]

great video! I been thinking about ways to save money and bring my film into the digital version and this is a great choice.

[@BartRos1980]

I really found this tutorial / introduction useful. I have bought the V600 and my scans look absolutely horrible. Hope this helps.

[@BartRos1980]

@Mike Zielinski really? Lol

[@BartRos1980]

@Mike Zielinski its none of those. Scanners are just limited. And the film I used did not please me either. It was Ilford Hp5. I have since switched to Afga 400 and Kodak Tmax. Much nicer.

[@Crespire]

Hey man! This video rocks! Just picked up a V550 and this was super helpful! 1) I know it's a year old now, do you still use EPSON Scan? 2) What do you find is your sweet spot for stated DPI in the software vs time/quality? Talking about files destined for social media (Insta, FB, etc). 3) Have you tried to print negative scans from the EPSON? If so, what resolution are you scanning at?

[@kaneberry3570]

always helpful tutorials Matt!

[@dirtywater5336]

Very helpful video. I just bought this scanner and I'm looking forward to saving time and money not getting my negs scanned at the photo lab in my city. Film processing and scanning is a 5 day process with them. ugh

[@DirectRegister]

Great video! I remember when I scanned negatives for the first time after a year of only printing in the darkroom...it was like this euphoria---suddenly I can see all my images in seconds! And lightroom's heal tool is so much faster than using spotting pens on a print. Thanks for the tip about the histogram, I'll try that

[@hookemchris]

Only video I've found that was helpful, thanks!

[@arturgajewskiphotog]

Thanks for the video. I always blow some air into the scanner glass as well since it also contains dirt ;)

[@murigius1]

Thanks, Matt. Very helpful video!

[@IPOXstudios]

Great video and helped when I bought the same scanner. Thanks! I'm still testing, but find it to scan kinda soft compared to what the lab has produced for me. Did you have this issue? Thanks for any help!

[@jimgoodinmusic]

Helpful - I've been wondering how effective a modest investment would return. V600 looks like it will work for what I'm doing. Thanks for a good video Matt!

[@Sikhislove]

Great job Matt...thank you

[@jamesjacocks6221]

Interested in your thoughts on the quality of inkjet vs. darkroom output. I have used both for the last 16 years and have seen inkjet improve a lot. That being said, it just can not produce the same aesthetic as good fiber paper or of Fuji Mylar. For lesser product it competes well indeed. It is also true that I have moved through many printers and scanners, so the cost of digital prints is considerable from my experience. This is even more true for my digital cameras but that is another question. Very good video.

[@PMichaelPerez]

excellent review, thanks. I'm sold.

[@2549Discovery]

Very helpful! Thanks.

[@MaxLamdin]

i have the V550 because its cheaper than the v600 however i scanned a strip of b&w 35mm which started on 46mins and ended up being 8mins so the thing about times dropping down is so helpful

[@mattdayphoto]

Definitely! If those original times actually lasted that long, I don't know if I would own one. Haha.

[@MaxLamdin]

same, couldn't bare a 45 minute scan for 2 images haha

[@Fie.Franciska]

hey Max.. I'm looking at scanners and after falling in love with a hasselblad I don't have a budget for the v600, are you happy with the v550??

[@MaxLamdin]

CowWranglerdette extremely happy, the scans I get from it are excellent and for the price you really can't beat it.

[@lenniebruce]

Your desktop picture looks surprisingly like the top of the Ashgrove Road, in Portadown, Co. Armagh. Just to the left there would be Drumcree Church. I always thought North America looked just like Ireland :)

[@nerwin]

That was great Matt, I might have to pick up one of these. I have a bunch of 35mm negatives I should scan. I've also seen some make a lightbox for film and used a dslr with macro lens and some strobes to take pictures of negatives and then invert them in photoshop..seems to work pretty well..might be a fun project.

[@singletrack29349]

So, now that Epson Scan 2 is here... how do we scan medium format?

[@davidkilleen7707]

Thanks Man for the video.

[@AMBrikaer]

I use the v600 myself and, just like you, I kinda eyeball everything when it comes to settings and image quality. But hey, photography is for a huge part a visual thing, isn't it? Great video Matt. Thanks!

[@Defiance151]

Thanks a lot! Really wanted to see this :) I am curious to know which medium format camera you enjoyed most from all you've owned and got to use.

[@mattdayphoto]

Thanks! That's a tough question, but I think I would have to say it's a very close tie between the Pentax 6x7 and Hasselblad 500 C/M.

[@DavidSpector]

Just picked up the V550 scanner. Also buying a buy film not megapixels shirt from your friend at gradeselect

[@zark212]

Very useful review. Thank you Matt Day.

[@SyedIbrarAhmed]

G

[@yapproger]

Great production, you put it across really well, nicen leisurely but precise, Thx a lot!

[@YassefSelman]

a very simple method, thanks Matt

[@doctorstork]

Very nicely done...informative...educational

[@stilldasayme]

As far as resolution is concerned, most scanner manufacturers will "bloat" the DPI number just to advertise the higher spec (kind of like the $150 '"24 Megapixel" cameras you can find on eBay). My PIE PrimeFilm XE's specs say 10,000 DPI; but the extensive review/test at filmscanner(dawt)info taught me that the maximum resolution the scanner can actually "see" is closer to 4,100 DPI (think of it as akin to DXOMark's P-MPix). So I only scan at 5,000 DPI, considerably reducing the scan time and file size compared to the advertised 10,000 DPI, all the while giving me the exact same amount of detail.

[@normabenavidez2364]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@ashlynposiak5593]

Hi Matt! Nice video!! Happy 🐪 day!

[@MrNpurdee]

Great Info.Thanks

[@gutinnec]

You need clean your scanner before. Simple air handpump is sufficient with/or clean camera cloth... and after do the negative.

[@jameswuepper]

Matt, Your obvious dust on the one image. Why didn't you select digital ice which is supposed to eliminate it?

[@vonzfoto]

Just scored one of these bad boys on offer up today. New in box. Unopened for $30!!!!! Working on a zine. Stay tuned!!