Film Scanners Pt. 2

[-=Rudy=-]

I'd like to stay under $500 if I could, but I'm looking for a decent film/slide scanner. I'm torn between a few models right now.

Minolta has two Dimäge models and, for the life of me, I barely see a difference between the two current models. The Dimäge Scan Dual III and Dimäge Scan Elite II are current models. As I can tell, dynamic range, resolution, bit depth, etc. are the same. Price for the Elite II, lowest I found was $599 (more like $699 at most other online shops), where the other retails regularly for under $299. An adapter for APS film is extra, just over $100.

http://www.minoltausa.com/eprise/main/MinoltaUSA/MUSAContent/CPG/CPGProducts?cname=scan

Canon's FS4000 boasts a higher resolution (4000 dpi), lower dynamic range (low-level light details would not be as good), and streets for about $550. Color bit depth might be comparable. BUT, the APS adapter is included. Hmmmm.
http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/fs4000/index.html

Canon's FS2720 matches the Minoltas' resolution (2720dpi), but only gets 12 bit color depth vs. 16. APS adapter is included.
http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/fs2720/index.html

Nikon's prices are out of my league.

Extras like the Digital ICE, dust removal, etc. aren't really that important to me. I don't even know if the increased resolution of the Canon would do all that much for me--I'd rather have accuracy in other areas rather than an ultimate high pixel count. If I can print something cleanly onto 8x10 in my photo printer, that's cool.

Any input? I think I'm leaning toward the Dimäge Scan Dual III. I don't see anything compelling me to spend so much more for diminishing returns.

TIA!

[aashton]

The Minolta Dimage Elite 5400 has recently been launched and is getting fantastic reviews. I spoke to one of the guys in my local photo shop when I was in to get some more developer. I mentioned I was going the Scanner route and when I told him it was going to be the 5400 his eyes lit up.

Over on this side of the water it is in fairly short supply - but I can get one for £499 - normally things seem to go for £=$, so you may get lucky. It is 5400 dpi and has all the ICE procesing. I think a lot of used Nikons are about to come on the market, their price versus features and quality just doesn't stack up against the new Minolta.

There is a review here http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Scanners/Minolta/page_1.htm

All the best - Andrew

[-=Rudy=-]

The Elite 5400 is way over my budget--it's around $899 US here. Ooooooh, if I had the money... ;) :D

[Jimbo]

I thought this thread was about the sequel to that movie "Scanners" where people's heads explode. Relieved to find out it's not. :sigh:

[-=Rudy=-]

*sigh* With the headaches I've had over the past few days, a head explosion might feel good right about now. ;)

[Lord Hawthorne]

I've been looking for such a product, but I'm also curious about scanning old 8mm and 16mm films. Any recommendations?

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Lord Hawthorne
I've been looking for such a product, but I'm also curious about scanning old 8mm and 16mm films. Any recommendations?

Do you mean moving picture film? I'd like to find that out myself as well. My dad had a few dozen reels of 8mm film he shot over the years. I had a converter where you project the image onto a glass screen and point the video camera at it. The results are so-so...and now the projector doesn't work either.

[-=Rudy=-]

I think I'm leaning toward the Dimage Scan Dual III if I had to buy new. However, I've seen some gently used Dimage Scan Elite II's closing on eBay between $350 and $400. I've read elsewhere that the "correction" features in the Elite II work better, and set up correctly, save a LOT of editing time in the photo editors. I'm not in a huge rush, so I'll see what kind of luck I get on eBay.

I've read of some problems with dark scans and the computer or scanner locking up, but the equipment some of these people were using...a Pentium II with 64MB of memory? Laughable. :)

[Holy Zoo]

Question: is this a long term investment? Or is this to do a onetime scan of your library?

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Holy Zoo
Question: is this a long term investment? Or is this to do a onetime scan of your library?

Possibly both. I have dozens of rolls of negatives and from Dad's estate, family pictures that I'd like to preserve and share on CD. I also have a lot of slides and negatives to scan. The majority of pictures I take today are digital, but there will still be times I use print film and want to scan it. I'd probably print the occasional photo on the photo printer, but a lot of it (most of it, perhaps) would be for slide shows on CD or displaying on the web.

[Holy Zoo]

I suggest this:

Buy the nicer scanner (Nikon) on ebay for $1000+. Scan all your old negs. Sell the scanner on ebay for probably the same price, then buy the $400 Canon.

[-=Rudy=-]

If I had $1000 to part with, I'd probably do that! ;)