Coolscan

[shayallen]

I am trying to decide which Coolscan to buy. I want one mainly to use for posting on the internet and to use to decide which photos to do in my darkroom. I print in my darkroom now and scan with a v500 to put on my website and for facebook and flickr. I can afford to buy the 5000 but I am not sure I need to. I can get some of the older versions on ebay for $500-700. Would it be worth it to go ahead and buy the 5000 or for my uses try and find one on ebay from a trustworthy seller?

[gilpen123]

If you plan to print and need the best scan for 35 mm. I strongly suggest the 5000ED. If your intention is for display in the web or small prints up to 5x7, then the V500 is more than capable. The biggest issue with flatbeds is acquiring good focus and film flatness so I suggest you get the ANR insert from Better Scanning.com.

[kully]

For web and proofing - get an Epson V700/V750. It'll be cheaper and you can scan four strips of six 35mm at a time.

The 5000ED can do whole rolls at a time but it is much more expensive and overkill for what you describe.

However, if money is no object - get the 5000ED.

The 4000ED can also do whole rolls.

The LS-50/LS-40 (also known as V and IV) does six frames at a time and is very good, but slower on a per roll basis than the 700/750 or 4000/5000.

[shayallen]

Thanks guys...Will I notice much difference between the 4000ed and the 5000ed or the version V?

[thomasw_]

Gil and Kully are right, you have what you need now. I'd only consider upgrading my v700 if I wanted to print digitally. As you use an enlarger to print, you are getting the best look already. Only get a Nikon 5000 or 9000 if you plan to do digital printing with your images rather than just posting them to the web.

[gilpen123]

Also please consider batch scanning of slides which not so many people do unless you have perfectly exposed and clean positives. The 5000 has an accessory batch scanning holder for slide and roll film where you will be able to scan a whole negative roll. One advantage of the 5000 worth to consider is the single pass multi scanning capability. It can get practically the smallest details in your image. Again that is if your work necessitates a professionally scanned 35 mm image to print.

[cnphoto]

I have a V700 with Better Scanning ANR inserts. it is fantastic for 120 film, but IMO crap for 35mm. it's fine for low resolution web previews and small prints (IMO 6x4" only).

I really don't like scanning 35mm with it, soft fuzzy grain even with shimming to sharpest focus point and ANR inserts... but i'm a stickler for quality and want to be able to see sharp film grain (like a 5000 or 9000ED scan). So i'll be upgrading to a 9000ED when $$$ permit.