Re: filmscanners: Acer Scanwit 2720s vs 2740s vs HP s20

["Maris V. Lidaka, Sr." <mlidaka@ameritech.net>]

I have a Nikon LS-30 and not the Acer but:

Yes - the 2740S is 2720S plus ICE in terms of results.  The technical
difference is that the 2740S has an IR (infrared) channel in addition to the
color channels, and ICE works using the IR channel.

And yes - ICE is worth the additional money, whether you access ICE through
the Acer software or the version used by Vuescan.  Vuescan's dust and
scratch removal works using the IR channel also.

Once you have scanned some film you will inescapably note that there is dust
and there are scratches from film-handling on almost every piece of film
commercially handled.

Maris

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark T." <markthom@camtech.net.au>
To: <filmscanners@halftone.co.uk>
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2001 1:46 AM
Subject: Re: filmscanners: Acer Scanwit 2720s vs 2740s vs HP s20


| At 04:44 PM 20/04/01 +0200, you wrote:
| >am new to the filmscanner world..
| We all are or were! :)
|
| >I'm considering either the Acer Scanwit 2720s or the 2740s.  My
perception
| >after reading the specs, is that the 2740s is 2720s+ICE.  Did I miss
| >anything?
| As Art has pointed out, the 2740 also uses a 14-bit A/D converter instead
| of a 12-bit.  Without going into details (that I don't really understand
| anyway!), that may mean a slight increase in colour quality and/or
contrast
| range..
|
| >Would like opinions/experiences of whether the ICE was worth the price.
| >Otherwise, for the 2720s, how much effort did you take to touch up
| >any negative defects (assuming minor blemishes).
| I have the 2720, and would spend 1-3 minutes touching up an 'average'
image
| for 'average' quality :), for example if I wanted a good 6"x4" print or
| large on-screen display with no visible defects.
|
| If I am after 'high' quality (eg a razor sharp 11"x8" print), and it's
very
| dusty or scratched, it could take 30 minutes or more - but that is
| rare.  When I first started it could take a lot longer, but I think I have
| the hang of it now..!  I often spend longer tweaking color/contrast than
on
| dust removal..
|
| ICE slows the 2740 down, as it has to do another pass over the film.  I
| don't miss it, but if you have a lot of old dusty/damaged images it may be
| a worthwhile investment.
|
| >The other unit I'm considering is HP's s20, but on features, stacks
| >up with the 2720, and is much more expensive here.
| I think the s20 has slightly lower resolution, ie 2400 v. 2720, but my
| knowledge is rusty.  I'm pretty sure there is a review of the HP on Tony's
| page (www.halftone.co.uk).  I am very impressed with the Acer given it's
| price, and I think Art may be correct in saying that the s20 is a bit past
| its prime, particularly if you are planning to print at 7"x5" or more..
|
| Regards, MT.
|
|
|