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 It’s easy to spot digital novices: They’re the ones scanning 35mm film using a $300 flatbed scanner equipped with a transparency adapter. No surprise that their enlargements look so fuzzy and flat! But Epson’s new Perfection 3200 plans to change all of that (street prices: Photo model, $400; Pro model, $600).
This “dual purpose” scanner features 3200 dpi optical resolution, fast scan times via Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and IEEE1394 FireWire connections, 48-bit color, 3.4 density range, quiet operation, and easy-to-master control software. In addition, it has a 4x9-inch transparency adapter for scanning up to 4x5-inch film and 35mm slide and negative holders that allow you to batch scan multiple frames. You’ll never use the highest-res settings on this model to scan prints, since 800–1000 dpi is all that’s needed. But 3200 dpi settings are essential for decent film scans.
As a rule, the focusing systems on most low-priced flatbeds are optimized for flat art that lays on the scanning bed, while film holders lift the film away from the glass surface in order to eliminate Newton’s rings. So does the 3200 produce sharp film scans on par with dedicated film scanners? We had to find out.
In our lab tests, the scanner captured extremely accurate colors and extraordinary detail on prints and flat art, and 4x6-inch prints took under 60 seconds to scan at 800 dpi. The Epson Smart Panel software is easy for newbies to learn, yet digital mavens have advanced controls in the TWAIN driver (supported by Windows and Mac programs), including curve adjustments and color- management settings.
Film holders are easy to load, and can be quickly aligned on the glass bed. In auto mode, the scanner previews the material on the scan deck and automatically detects if it’s a transparency or reflective subject. 3200x6400-dpi film scans took about two minutes each in 48-bit color mode with no filters or corrections applied, and much longer with color and sharpening adjustments.
While the image quality results for film were much better than the average flatbed/transparency combination, they were well below those of similar-priced 35mm scanners like the 2840-dpi Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III. For medium-format and 4x5 originals, this might be the most affordable solution for scanning those film types. Otherwise, it’s a super flatbed scanner for the price.
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