Buy the SS120. I have one and I like it. The Nikon is probably a fine scanner if you could find one, but is reported to have problems keeping medium format film in focus at the edges due to the type of light source it uses, which also evidently accentuates dust which means you need to use ICE with it. You're evidently aware of these differences, so you can make up your own mind on those issues. As far as Polaroid's financial health, I doubt the company is going to disappear anytime soon. An as was mentioned in another post, Microtek can repair the Polaroid scanner as they build them for Polaroid. I don't know anything about the Minolta. But the Polaroid has been around for a few months now and has a bit of a track record, so I see no reason to look around for something else if you like the Polaroid's features and specifications.
Whatever you get, be aware that files size with medium format film are huge (approaching 600 mb for 6x7 at 48-bit color depth) and you'll need a lot of RAM in your computer to make it work efficiently.
In a message dated 9/24/2001 1:23:32 PM Pacific Daylight Time, peter139@home.com writes:
I had been considering buying either the Nikon 8000 or the Polaroid
Sprintscan 120. The Nikon has not been readily available while the Polaroid
has. Each have had positive and negative things said about them. However,
the Nikon's banding issue and Polaroid's financial situation makes a
decision about either difficult.
Very recently I read about the Minolta Dimage Multi Scan Pro and have been
impressed with its very impressive specifications. However, I have not been
able to find any independent reviews or commentary about it anywhere.
Of the three which one would the scanning experts on this list choose? Why?
I look forward to read your suggestions and thoughts about each. I am
anxiously looking forward to scan my inventory of 35mm and 2 1/4 slides and
negatives. Hopefully then being able to get a few prints worthy of being
framed for the few empty spaces on the walls of my home :-).
