 Highly Satisfied with the Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner |
| Review Date: May 12, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Anchor Bob, Jacksonville, FL |
I am highly satisfied with this product. Scanning photos for me is a means to an end. The goal is to share web-based images and pleasing prints, occasionally as large as 8.5" X 11."
Prior to purchase, I researched extensively what I would need to digitize a large quantity of mostly personal photos - both those existing and any future pix I may take with my film equipment. Since the majority of the photos are 35mm slides and negatives, my initial inclination was a Nikon Coolscan film scanner. This was further reinforced by having been a Nikon user since the Nikon F days. Two factors, however, steered me in the flatbed scanner direction.
Studying reviews, both from sources such as Amazon's Customer Reviews and from other web sources convinced me that the Epson V700 would meet my needs from a scan-quality standpoint. And, a closer look at my photo collection revealed that there were numerous prints without corresponding 35mm negatives and a surprising number of medium format negatives, too. I felt it would be nice to digitize these, as well as the 35mm transparent material, but no film scanner could accommodate them all.
I purchased the V700 scanner through Amazon with expedited shipping. That went smoothly, as did the Epson set up.
The V700's graphical user interface is straightforward. Now, I have used for the last 5 years or so an Epson scanner in my business (embroidery design). While that scanner is much more basic in functionality, my previous experience gives the V700's user interface a comfortable, familiar feel.
I only installed the Epson Scanning Driver Software and the User Guide. I use Adobe Elements 5.0 for any enhancement and cleanup that may be necessary. I scan in Professional Mode, and most always turn off all Epson features. This has to be verified each time, by the way, since they have an annoying habit of mysteriously turning themselves back on. I could probably correct this, but haven't taken the time to delve into it since it's so easy to fix on the spot. I've developed recipes for handling the varied media I scan.
I put together a kit for film cleanup/preparation. It includes PEC-12 solution, PEC Wipes, a soft brush, cotton gloves, a can of compressed air left over from my old darkroom days, a bulb blower (aka ear syringe), a soft brush and cotton swabs. This kit, in combination with an antistatic plastic dustcover sized for flatbed scanners, has taken care of things so far. (Where real damage has to be dealt with, the restorative functionality of Elements 5.0 must be utilized.)
In addition to handling satisfactorily my scanning requirements, I like the way the V700 sits on my desk. When not in use, if a stray document or two is placed on it temporarily, no harm is done. It has its own on/off button conveniently located in front, which permits powering up my computer with or without powering up the scanner. The V700 simply fits into what I do and want to do. I am pleased with it.
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Very Nice Product - Totally Met Expectations
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| Review Date: May 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Linda G. Hewitt, |
Let me say up front that, because the V700 ships with a SilverFast image management program, this is essentially a joint review of device and software.
We're a family of photographers with a lot of legacy negatives and slide material, some ours, some inherited from our parents. We've tried several scanners, with so-so results, and found them slow and somewhat clunky to use. Which meant we made little headway with the huge quantity of material we were trying to get into digital format.
The reviews convinced us to try the V700, and we've been delighted. First, I won't say it's perfect - at this price point, we didn't expect to have a totally professional experience. If it were possible, we'd probably give it a 4.5 instead of a 5. Some of the glitches noted by others can be at least mildly irritating. Still, even with the basic SilverFast software shipped with it, it works much better than anything else we've tried. (And using the SilverFast Studio Ai with ME makes it even better - you have to order this separately, but you can get it as a download.)
When used with the shipped SilverFast program, the device is intuitive, which results in a fast learning curve. (The videos on the SilverFast support site are extremely helpful should a question arise.)
What has impressed us the most is the adjustability of the import controls, especially the ability to adjust F-stops 3 up or down on negative imports, which literally brings most heretofore unviable negative images "back from the dead." As to transparencies, the adjustments provided for their import are also helpful. If you combine this adjustment capability with Photoshop controls, it is truly amazing how much life you can return to images so faded or discolored that they're almost invisible to the naked eye. Evidently there's a lot more information left on even the worst of old slides and negatives than our cursory examination led us to believe.
Also, we like the speed. The scan process is reasonable as to time required. Also, the ability to scan multiple images at once is cool. Which reminds me of the plastic holder issue. The V700 ships with a good assortment of sizes. Still, it would have been nice to have been offered the option of purchasing spares with the scanner at perhaps somewhat less than the rather breathtaking price charged by after-market vendors like SilverFast.
As to ICE, unlike the experience of other reviewers, we definitely notice a difference when using ICE, especially on images with large areas of solid color. If you want to use ICE, do go through the steps of specifying exactly how you want to use it, as this very much affects not only speed but also the end output. The degree of detection and correction sensitivity that you set is critical. If you set the sensitivity high, you can get rid of just about any dust, etc., but the tradeoff for this much "cleaning up" is a significant degree of image softening. A setting somewhere in the middle seems to work best. We don't use ICE for closeup people images, instead doing any cleanup in Photoshop. Also, at least in our opinion, we would not use ICE to clean up material that is going to be reproduced in print form.
There's more one could say, but I think the above is what we've observed from our experience that would matter to most users.
In summation, we really like this product and recommend it. |
Just the Scanner I was looking for
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| Review Date: July 19, 2007 |
| Reviewer: John Lynch, Murfreesboro, TN United States |
I'd been looking at film scanners for more than a year when I read about the V700. I considered a dedicated film scanner, but didn't want to pay for one that could scan negatives up to 4x5. Long story short, I bought the V700 and it has far exceeded my expectations. It will scan a whole sheet of negatives to make great proof sheets. With the slide holder it'll scan 12 slides, but I've found I can skip the holder and lay 20 slides on the glass to just make a proof sheet. I don't use the enhancement software so scans are very fast. My favorite thing about the scanner is that it's a time machine. My family and I are enjoying slides and negs I hadn't looked at in thirty years.
There are some esoteric reasons this scanner isn't quite as good as a dedicated film scanner, but I'll bet 99.999% of the population would never be able to tell the difference. |
Awesome scanner for anyone
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| Review Date: November 22, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Unlisted, |
I don't know why everyone hasn't rated this scanner a five. It is very fast to set-up, and makes stunning scans. I am using it to convert all of my old 35mm negatives to digital images, as well as some old photo prints. You buy a scanner for its scanning, not the software that comes with it, and this is a solid scanner.
The software for actually scanning from Epson is very simple to use, and works great. LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast SE6 does not come with a manual, but when installing, you can install the manual as an option, and it links to their website and has very extensive and excellent instructions, including quick tour guides and videos on its use. I don't see what anyone is complaining about below when it comes to the software? Plus a copy of Photoshop Elements, you can't ask for more.
The bottom line - don't be scared to buy this scanner, everything is great about it. |
Pricey, but worth it!
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| Review Date: December 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Curtis A. Frankenfeld, Colorado |
| I did a lot of research on scanners before I bought the V700. My requirements are to be able to scan everything from 35mm slides and negatives to 4X5 transparencies and negatives. This replaces an older Epson flatbed/film scanner that I thought was doing a good job, until I scanned the same negative on the V700. Holding the resolution constant between the two, and scaning the same 4X5 BW negative, the scans seem sharper with better contrast. Controlling a scan is easy with the provided software. I have scans from a dedicated 35mm film scanner and find that scans from the V700 range from nearly as good to better than the dedicated scanner results (all run at 3200 dpi). It installed very easily into Adobe Photoshop CS3. I definitely recommend it! |
Best buy for " Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner ", Lowest Price Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner + Free shipping. Get Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner Now! |
February 8th, 2010 | 
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