Russ,
Sounds like we are pretty much on the same page. The question of where to get a really good film scanner boils down to the used market. What you have for a budget will be the ultimate decider.
Money no object, get a Nikon 5000 (35mm only) or better still an 8000 or 9000. They can do the 35mm plus all the 6x7 or any other medium format film. Short of the Hasselblads or drum scans they are as good as it gets. After that, The Minolta Dimage scanners are supposed to be about as good, but I have zero experience with them. One of the problems you will see if you try for any older film scanner, is making sure all the parts are there. The scanner might work or power up, but if it doesn't have the film holders, it isn't of much use. Truth is, almost any dedicated film scanner will likely deliver better results than a flatbed. The Epsons do a decent job, but they just can't match a good film scanner. I've recommended them because they are within many folks budgets, will do a credible if not great job archiving most slide collections, and they are very good flatbed scanners for other things.
eBay is the obvious place to look, and their guarantees if used carefully would help you steer around a problem with a seller. One thing to keep in mind. If you get what you want scanned and no longer need the scanner, sell it. The Nikon 9000's are selling for more than they cost new. If I had to buy today, I would buy a Nikon, scan like crazy until I had the job done, then sell the scanner.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2014 08:22AM by jgunning.