Thought I was wasting money on a film scanner but after one roll of 120 I get it now

Been shooting 35mm for years and just used the lab scans. Picked up a used Epson V600 for $150 off Facebook marketplace last month because I wanted to try medium format. First roll back from a local shop in Portland was $18 for scans. Second roll I decided to use the scanner myself and honestly the difference is night and day. I get way more control over the shadows and highlights than the lab ever gave me. Plus no more waiting a week. Anyone else find that the real benefit of home scanning is the editing freedom?

2 comments

2 Comments

carr.lee21d ago

...and here I was thinking my "pro" lab scans were good until I realized they were basically just hitting auto on everything while I was paying for burrito bowls. Now I've got a backlog of scanned negatives and no excuse for my underexposed shots.

wendyg4320d ago

I used to defend my lab too, @carr.lee. thought they were doing custom color work but nope. One day I pulled up the raw and lab jpeg side by side and it was literally the same thing, just with a little contrast slapped on. My shadow detail was gone, my highlights were blown, and I was paying $12 a roll for that. It stung to admit it, but you're right. Now I'm home scanning and messing with exposure myself, and my keep rate is way better even if my workflow is slower.