Epson V550 Photo and a license for SilverFast 8

Discussion
1

Greetings, fellow makers!

I come bearing a curious offering for our beloved Makerspace. You see, nestled within the cozy corners of my home, I possess an Epson V550 Photo scanner that I acquired a couple of years ago from our trusty friend, eBay (directly from Epson, mind you, but with a few potential manufacturing quirks – more on that in a moment). Alongside this nifty device, I have in my possession a sparkling license for SilverFast 8, a wondrous scanner software designed specifically for the enchanting task of scanning negatives. Ah, the joys of preserving memories!

Now, here’s the scoop: I must confess that I haven’t been giving this magnificent contraption the love and attention it deserves lately. Alas, it has become somewhat neglected in my humble abode. So, I’ve been pondering whether it could find a new purpose within the hallowed walls of our esteemed Makerspace.

Before you raise an eyebrow and give me that inquisitive maker gaze, let me assure you that the scanner itself is in tip-top shape. It faithfully performs its scanning duties, crafting crisp and vibrant scans that will make your eyes dance with delight. However, the one feature I’ve struggled to tame is the elusive Digital ICE. It’s a clever feature designed to whisk away those pesky dust particles from your precious photo film scans, but alas, my attempts to harness its power have been somewhat lackluster. Fear not, though, for this minor quirk does not overshadow the scanner’s overall brilliance.

And what of SilverFast, you ask? Ah, it’s the secret sauce, the cherry on top, the grand maestro of film scanning software. This delightful creation outshines the EPSON Scan software in every conceivable way when it comes to the realm of film scanning. Together, this dynamic duo offers a formidable arsenal for capturing the essence of your filmic treasures.

Now, dear fellow makers, here’s where you come in. I find myself at a crossroads, wondering if there might be any souls among us who would appreciate the presence of this scanner in our shared space. Should there be a flicker of interest, I would be more than delighted to transport this marvel to the Makerspace, where it can continue its scanning adventures in the hands of those who cherish the magic of film.

So, my dear comrades, what say you? Shall we give this Epson V550 Photo scanner a new lease on life within our creative haven? I eagerly await your thoughts and musings.

Yours in the pursuit of scanning wonders,
@potatoman

1 Like
2

I have no problem having this scanner in the space and I might even occasionally use it for scanning medium format negatives, if you have the right holders (the film scanner I have at home only does 35mm).

Couple of caveats:

  • It’s not the fastest scanner ever, so if you’re dreaming of digitising your whole collection of film negatives in an afternoon, it’s not realistic
  • Scanners don’t like dust, but the maker space is hardly a clean room. Where can we put it that it doesn’t get too dusty?
  • I assume the Silverfast license will need to be attached to a single computer, which computer would we use?
2 Likes
3

Sounds cool! Would be great to have it! There will be plenty of space to set it up as soon as the 3d printers move to their area…

2 Likes
4

I do have the holder for 120 film as well. But, you’re right on all accounts:

  • it is a tedious process to get nice scans
  • the dust might be a problem but keeping the scanner in its box when not in use and cleaning your negatives should imho do the job
  • yes the silverfast licence would need to be tied to a single machine, however there is still the EPSON scan utility which is free and does the job ok
5

Did the move to the makerspace ever happen?
I am keen to scan. I bought a £60 scanner which gave terrible results.
Looks like I need to spend a lot more :frowning:

6

I didn’t move it there since there was no interest, but I’d be happy to bring it there or lend it to you directly since I assume there is less dust at your home.