Gear discussion thread v. "I got some new gear and I got to post it here" - General

I scan at my school, they have Epson V750 Pro. But they use Epson software which is crap and doesn't crop right when using the film holder. I've heard SilverFast is better but I doubt they would install that.

[QUOTE=garychencool;42924105]The D610 is out which is just an update to the D600.[/QUOTE] I seen it come up a bit but thought it wasn't a worthwhile revision, now knowing that the D600 had issues I will defiantly keep the D610 in mind. Would lean towards a D700 if it was much cheaper, but can appreciate any reduction in gear weight. Cheers for that! +1 for the Epson V750 Pro. I scanned all my negatives through that and got great results. Software is just about usable though as you said!

[QUOTE=Dvorak231;42925633]What's the film scanner that everyone here uses? Just picked up a load of rolls of superia xtra 400 and want to try shooting some film[/QUOTE] epson v500 over here [editline]20th November 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Zeemlapje;42925707]I scan at my school, they have Epson V750 Pro. But they use Epson software which is crap and doesn't crop right when using the film holder. I've heard SilverFast is better but I doubt they would install that.[/QUOTE] the epson software ain't that bad, just turn off the auto cropping

[QUOTE=Dvorak231;42925633]What's the film scanner that everyone here uses? Just picked up a load of rolls of superia xtra 400 and want to try shooting some film[/QUOTE] I suggest the Epson 4990. I have both the v600 and the 4990 and the difference between the two is microscopic (quality is basically identical, the 4990 is slightly slower). You can get the 4990 for cheaper (I paid $90) and it will scan up to 8x10" film. [editline]20th November 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Zeemlapje;42925707]I scan at my school, they have Epson V750 Pro. But they use Epson software which is crap and doesn't crop right when using the film holder. I've heard SilverFast is better but I doubt they would install that.[/QUOTE] I have silverfast and it seems like it's better; it's certainly more rubust. I'm not proficient enough with it to use it properly, though. The epson scan utility is actually really good considering how easy it is to use and the results you can get from it.

im hoping when they announce the D7200 its actually a big improvement, not just some bullshit like a D7100 with built in wifi and GPS and $200 more than a D7100

Speaking of Nikon, it looks like they're having a little sale if anyone is shopping.

is there any reason I should pick a Nikon 40mm f/2.8 over the 35mm f/1.8 as a first prime lens?

[QUOTE=Uber|nooB;42925933]the epson software ain't that bad, just turn off the auto cropping[/QUOTE] Woahhh I haven't found this option yet I'll look into this. [QUOTE=FlippR;42926079]I have silverfast and it seems like it's better; it's certainly more rubust. I'm not proficient enough with it to use it properly, though. The epson scan utility is actually really good considering how easy it is to use and the results you can get from it.[/QUOTE] True, it's easy to set up and it usually takes 30 minutes for a complete roll.

Man I wish there was a decent dedicated medium format scanner under $1000.

[QUOTE=Desuh;42927214]Man I wish there was a decent dedicated medium format scanner under $1000.[/QUOTE] If secondhand isn't a problem try getting a Microtek Artixscan 120TF or the identical Polaroid Sprintscan 120. I have one and i can say it's just as good as a Nikon Coolscan 9000. It only doesn't have dust removal, but that's not such a big problem if you have a good lab or develop yourself properly. [editline]20th November 2013[/editline] Oh yeah and when it's working it sounds like a sewing machine. You'll get used to it eventually, that's why I forgot it in the first place.

[QUOTE=frag4life;42927707]If secondhand isn't a problem try getting a Microtek Artixscan 120TF or the identical Polaroid Sprintscan 120. I have one and i can say it's just as good as a Nikon Coolscan 9000. It only doesn't have dust removal, but that's not such a big problem if you have a good lab or develop yourself properly. [editline]20th November 2013[/editline] Oh yeah and when it's working it sounds like a sewing machine. You'll get used to it eventually, that's why I forgot it in the first place.[/QUOTE] Used is not a problem, I would even prefer buying used if these old scanners were not so rare. Also finding full resolution samples of scanners is really hard.

[QUOTE=dwt110;42926679]im hoping when they announce the D7200 its actually a big improvement, not just some bullshit like a D7100 with built in wifi and GPS and $200 more than a D7100[/QUOTE] Maybe they'll also add 1080p 60fps video recording and not have that live view bug.

[QUOTE=Zeemlapje;42927088]Woahhh I haven't found this option yet I'll look into this. [/QUOTE] if your epson scan looks anything at all like mine, uncheck "Thumbnail" just below the big Preview button, then you get to select the scan area manually if you select it manually then do zoom from the preview window, you can fine-tune it some more once it does the zoom keep in mind though, when you resize the scan area exposure and colour correction gets reset to auto in the software, so it's best to only do manual adjustments after you're sure of what exactly you're scanning

I don't understand why people like film so much

[QUOTE=Desuh;42927824]Used is not a problem, I would even prefer buying used if these old scanners were not so rare. Also finding full resolution samples of scanners is really hard.[/QUOTE] If you need a full-res sample of my scanner, hit me up and i'll send you one.

[QUOTE=Dr. Flame;42928207]I don't understand why people like film so much[/QUOTE] It just looks right. I don't like the look of most digital images. They look unnatural, sterile and distant to me while film feels natural and personal. I guess it's a subjective thing.

Film is fun and/or nostalgic for some.

[QUOTE=dwt110;42926948]is there any reason I should pick a Nikon 40mm f/2.8 over the 35mm f/1.8 as a first prime lens?[/QUOTE] No

[QUOTE=Dr. Flame;42928207]I don't understand why people like film so much[/QUOTE] It adds so much more to the process. The whole idea of only having a few shots to work with, no idea if the photo has worked until its been developed and scanned, the preparation needed before you can shoot and process of actually shooting film is such a lovely thing to experience. And the fact that my camera and lenses are somewhere around 40 years old and have travelled the globe, been used by probably multiple people to create images over the past 4 decades is such an incredible thing to think about. I do find myself wondering who has owned my kit before me, where has it been and I would love to see photographs that had been taken using the camera I use. Or better yet, meet any photographer who has previously owned it. For example, my body got shipped over from NYC and my latest lens was imported from Thailand - I would love to know more about their history. Also, getting a roll or 2 developed and finding great shots your forgot you even took on them is quite possibly the greatest feeling ever. I've got 4 rolls backlog now, going back to early September time and I have forgotten the contents completely off 3 of them. I can't wait.

i have wondered too, what photos has my film kit been used to take in the past and who held my camera in their hands before me

[QUOTE=Dr. Flame;42928207]I don't understand why people like film so much[/QUOTE] because it's fun [editline]20th November 2013[/editline] tbh i kinda want a half frame camera but 72 (or even 48) shots will take ages to finish

[QUOTE=Dr. Flame;42928207]I don't understand why people like film so much[/QUOTE] it looks good; i love the film cameras i own even just as pieces of precision equipment, especially the fully mechanical ones; you end up learning more about the history of the technical aspects of photography when you get into film and finding a film camera you like i feel the limitations of film i.e. having to pay money per shot and not being able to see the photo i've taken till the roll is done has helped me improve a lot [editline]20th November 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Eltro102;42928756]tbh i kinda want a half frame camera but 72 (or even 48) shots will take ages to finish[/QUOTE] take it to a party and take lots of drunken photos

Doing things old school is fun

My best guess is around £200 for the amount of money I've paid for on film, which includes about 30+ rolls of film (120 included), 6 bodies, 12~ lenses and processing+scans. You can spend more on a point and shoot. Why spend the same for a crap bit of kit when you can shoot full frame for little more than £50.

[QUOTE=Uber|nooB;42928714]i have wondered too, what photos has my film kit been used to take in the past and who held my camera in their hands before me[/QUOTE] Buying stuff off of Craigslist means I get to hear stories sometimes. One set I got was straight from Japan, the guy bought it when he was vacationing there and had it since the 70's, he took care of the stuff so damn well it looked brand new. He did a lot of scuba photography for magazines as wrll iirc. Then I bought another kit from a baseball photographer who used the camera to shoot Mets games professionally in the late 70's, and moved on now to a design company. Then the kit my mom picked up the lady was selling because it was her husband's equipment and he died ;( I also got a maxxum kit from a guy that was his mom's and she passed away, he told me that she used to say he would never end up using it and he never really did. There were a lot of .22 shells in those camera bags lol

In my college they have a hasselblad flextight x1 scanner as well as a microtek scanmaker 5, so I'm going to use them tomorrow and maybe also do contact printing and maybe actual optical printing.

[QUOTE=communistcat;42928983]In my college they have a hasselblad flextight x1 scanner as well as a microtek scanmaker 5, so I'm going to use them tomorrow and maybe also do contact printing and maybe actual optical printing.[/QUOTE] I wish my college had any photo equipment I could use.

[QUOTE=Dr. Flame;42928207]I don't understand why people like film so much[/QUOTE] It's the medium and it's a cheap method of shooting full frame.

I haven't shot film in a while but maybe this year I'll do it again.

i think im going to exclusively shoot film from here on out [editline]20th November 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Dr. Flame;42928207]I don't understand why people like film so much[/QUOTE] i have better luck with film, and im much more selective of what i shoot, because its a money suck