That's an interesting viewpoint, as everything I've read says the opposite.
All I know for sure is my own personal experience, scanning the exact same
negative. I owned the SS4000, so I had a baseline. I then scanned with my
LS-4000 and also with a loaner SS4000+.
In my experience, the Polaroid did a better job with the shadows -- in
negatives. Not a big difference. Not even noticeable if you weren't
comparing the slides side by side.
The SS4000, in my experience, is less susceptable to resolving dust than the
LS-4000. On the other hand, it has a much bigger problem getting dust into
the mechanism, so it is a tradeoff.
DIce is great, when you need it, but in a fairly controlled environment, I
rarely use it.
I haven't tried Polaroid's dust or scratch removal as I haven't needed it,
since I have the LS-4000 with DIce. I don't scan old stuff and what I do
scan is in pretty good shape, so I can't comment on the value for 'bad
situations'.
In the end, if you already own one or the other, there is no true compelling
reason to switch -- EXCEPT that the LS-4000 will batch scan up to 36 negs or
50 slides. That made the switch for me, as I, at the time, was scanning a
ton (for me) of film. I've slacked off recently, but still...
One last comment. In comparing the SS4000 to the SS4000+, the differences
are truly minor. The extra two-bits doesn't show up in a typical scan.
Firewire is nice, but if you have working SCSI, it's not a real advantage.
The SS4000 scanners lots of people bought in the $500-600 range were truly
an incredible bargain.
In the end, I like them both!
I guess this should be a trigger for me to post the differences. I still
have the SS4000+ and the LS-4000, but I'm probably just too lazy.
Tom
----- Original Message -----
From: "SIJPESTEYN C&GV" <sijpesteyn@wanadoo.nl>
To: <tscales@attglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 8:42 AM
Subject: [filmscanners] Re: Nikon Coolscan 4000 ED
Not true. The Polaroid is a fine scanner but the LS-4000 ED has better
shadow detail. There are several tests on the web that will show you that.
Shadow detail is important to me and it was one of the reasons for me to
pick the LS-4000 ED. I have been using the Nikon intensively for a few
months now and I am very happy with it. The depth of field problem is highly
exaggerated.
I am a bit of a perfectionist myself but in practise so far the depth of
field "problem" has not been an issue for me. Should it become one then
there are still workarounds available.
I'm presently working on a bunch of old slides that over the years suffered
quite a bit and collected hard to remove smudges. I really am extremely
happy with the ICE functionality, it has saved me very much time. ROC comes
in handy from time to time as well - so does GEM. There seems to be a bit of
LS-4000 ED bashing going on but not rightly so, it's a very nice piece of
machinery.
If you already own a Polaroid I'm not so sure it's wise to replace it
though. The new "Polaroid Dust & Scratch Removal" may just do the trick.
However if you often have to scan dirty or scratched film it may still be
worth it to get the Nikon.
Rik
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Scales" <tscales@attglobal.net>
To: <sijpesteyn@wanadoo.nl>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 2:49 AM
Subject: [filmscanners] Re: Nikon Coolscan 4000 ED
Don't do it.
I had an SS4000 and it with an LS-400 (4000ED). The Polaroid is a better
scanner. Better shadow detail. Crisper -- no depth of field problem.
The advantage of the Nikon is DIce, which I rarely use, and the bulk film
loader (optional and expensive) which I just flat love. Being able to scan
36 negs at a time is wonderful.
If Polaroid had ever been able to build the loader they kept promising, they
would have taken over the market.
Tom
I am sure this has been hashed over and over, but I am new to this
group.
I actually already have a Polaroid Sprintscan 4000, but after seeing the
results
of the Digital Ice, it convinced me to replace it :-(
I am looking at a new Coolscan 4000, and have a couple of questions. If
you
want reply off list.
1. I have seen prices all over the map for this one, any suggestions on
a good deal from a reputable supplier?
2. Comments Positive or Negative about this scanner.
Thanks,
Jim Christensen
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
Unsubscribe by mail to listserver@halftone.co.uk, with 'unsubscribe
filmscanners'
or 'unsubscribe filmscanners_digest' (as appropriate) in the message title
or body
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
Unsubscribe by mail to listserver@halftone.co.uk, with 'unsubscribe
filmscanners'
or 'unsubscribe filmscanners_digest' (as appropriate) in the message title
or body
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe by mail to listserver@halftone.co.uk, with 'unsubscribe
filmscanners'
or 'unsubscribe filmscanners_digest' (as appropriate) in the message title or
body
