filmscanners: Best value sure thing scanner...

["Kurt Simpson \(Dual Sport News\)" <dsneditor@softhome.net>]

There are a number of important factors you need to provide for anyone
to give you a reasonable analysis of what will be good value for you.

1)  What platform are you using

PC...

2) Does your system support SCSI or USB or Firewire? (Firewire isn't an
issue yet with film scanners, but will be soon)

I have both SCSI and USB...haven't used Firewire yet but I imagine it involves a
card

3) What type of films are you using?  Color or B&W, transparency or neg,
mixture of above?  What speed films (grain aliasing might be an issue).

I can choose as all of the images are used in printing a magazine for motorcycle
enthusiasts. Currently we use Fuji Provia or Sensei at ASA 100 even though we 
print
the magazine in BW. We use 35mm but suffer on cover shots as we don't have 
enough
room for cropping...I have 21/4 x 21/4 but haven't used it yet...

4)  Do you care more about speed of scan or quality, or must you have both?

Quality only...

5)  COST!  How much do you want to spend... a major factor when speaking
about value.

Less than $2,000

6)  Do you shoot panoramic images (non-standard 35mm frame sizes)

no

7) What do you like or hate about your current scanner?

Dust...lack of definition in the shadows

8) Do you tend to spend a lot of time fixing dust spots, dirt and scratches?

Time is something I don't have a lot of but the spots, dirt and scratches must 
be
fixed

9) Do you scan many faded/older color images?

Seldom but occasionally the only photos available are of poor/older quality

All these facts will enter into which unit would best fit your needs.
Otherwise, its a bit of mindreading.

Art

Thank you Art


Kurt Simpson wrote:

> You know I've spent a lot of time lurking on this list and I wonder if the
> experts could give a bit of a gift to those of us who are beginners but want
> to put our feet down on solid ground with a good purchase choice. I have an
> HP S20xi Photosmart that is on the blink and ready for replacement. Is there
> any consensus on the list concerning a very solid well-priced unit or units?
> Perhaps one that benefits very well from Vuescan ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kurt Simpson
> Editor
> Dual Sport News
>
> I've been holding out for the new Nikons but am wondering after hearing of
> the focus problems on the most recent models...