MF scanning & digital printing: Any Advantage ?

ruben · 01-04-2009

Let me put my question bluntly:

Is the relative (to 135) greater film format to forgive for a more economic scanner and printer ?

Kindly consider my budget is very tight, and I already own a 2450 Epson scanner.

So the question left, if my assumption is right, is which printer will be the cheapest "acceptable" for A3 prints from COLOR MF negs.

(For BW, my analog infrastructure is ok)

But in case there is no special edge to MF in the process, kindly tell me as well.

Thanks,
Ruben

Dave Wilkinson · 01-04-2009

Hi Ruben, my scanner and printer are only 'budget' models, and I find the same conditions apply - as in 'wet' printing, i.e. - the lesser degree of enlargement required from medium format gives a lot better results, ( 5x4 are exellent! ) although I do usually get very large file sizes, that are slower working.
Cheers Dave.

IK13 · 01-09-2009

MF is greatly superior to 35mm no matter what your budget. It's a different story why would you go to the trouble of shooting MF (it is more expensive, it does take more time to set up and shoot and it is simply not as convinient) if you're going to cripple it later with a mediocre scan. I recently took fancy in the old Koni-Omegas. I have a Canon 8800F flatbed, which is probably better than the Epson you have, and I'll never consider printing A3 from its scans even for the film I shoot in the old iron. For web and email it's ok, but then again - you want the MF for superior prints, right?

"Acceptable" is relative of course...

Tuolumne · 01-10-2009

I use an Epson 4990 flat bed scanner for 35mm and MF scans. The MF scans (any format) are worlds better than the 35mm. YMMV, since many people here don't like the output of flat bed scanners. For me they work fine for 35mm and MF. It's just thta the MF output is that much better. Pretty much as it is in the analogue world.

/T

bmattock · 01-10-2009

The 2450 should be fine. I got some dandy MF shots on mine that I printed 11x14 and a few larger. No problems. For 35mm, I think the 2450 might not be the best choice - I have a 2400 (like the 2450) and a 4490. I can use the 4490 in a pinch for 35mm, but I prefer my dedicated Scan Dual IV for 35mm.