Comparing 5 Epson Film Scanning Techniques

What's the best technique for scanning film on the Epson Perfection flatbed film scanner?

Mmm, mhmm, yes. That's a good question. That's what I wanted to find out. So I set out to compare 5 different scanning techniques on my Epson Perfection V750 Pro scanner. The techniques were:

1. Using the good old Epson film tray
2. Dry mount to a piece of ground glass
3. Fluid Mount with the Epson fluid mount station
4. Fluid Mount directly to the scanner glass

Listed above is just about every technique I could think of for scanning film on a flatbed film scanner. And by the way, I know, dedicated film scanners are better than flatbed film scanners. But I can't scan such a wide variety of formats on a dedicated film scanner. Unless it's a Hasselblad Flextight film scanner. But if I had the kind of scratch for one of those, I wouldn't be photographing buildings every week, you know what I'm saying?

I digress.

The Epson may never be up to competing with a drum scanner, but seeing as how I'm not going to drum scan every ones of my negatives (again, wouldn't be photographing buildings every week...) I figured we might as well find out what technique would squeeze out the highest quality file.

In doing this comparison, I of course looked at sharpness, but I also compared things like grain, chromatic aberrations, and dynamic range.

And you're never going to believe what I found out!

That's a lie. You'll believe it. It's not a big surprise. But okay, enjoy the video and thanks for watching!

[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! 👍🏼

[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!

[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 😉

[patmccarthy]

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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[therealpoka]

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

[sbphotography]

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

[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.

[adambellemare]

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.

[morepork]

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.

[Red-fxhc]

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

[johndoddato]

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

[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

[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! :)

[b-roll]

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

[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 Youtube 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.