[filmscanners] Re: Newbie needs purchase advice

["Arthur Entlich" <artistic-1@shaw.ca>]

Hi Maaki,

There are a few conflicting demands you have made in your scanner
requirements.

In the lower priced scanners, when it comes to 35mm scans, the dedicated
models still provide the best scans.  However, they will not provide you
with anything over 35mm for anywhere need the price you are thinking
about.  However, larger format transparencies will provide reasonable
results on a flatbed scanner, where the cost of a dedicated transparency
scanner of that size will be crippling financially.

Also, many of the flatbeds scanners cannot scan film over about maybe
5cm x 8 cm, other than in sections.  I am not sure if you were referring
to transparencies of 4" x 5" or 4cm x 8cm, or 6cm by 7cm.

So, best scanner for 35mm in your price range, probably the Minolta Dual
III, but it will not scan larger format images, only APS or 35mm.
Best scanner for medium format transparencies in your price range, a
flatbed, probably one of the higher res Epsons, but make sure it
provides a big enough back illuminated area to be able to scan the image
in one or at least two scans.

Art




Maaki wrote:

> I joined this list because I need to get a scanner very soon. I'm a total 
>beginner in this area and judging by the little I have read so far, I realize 
>I have a daunting learning curve to climb. Unfortunately, I need to get the 
>scanner before I have time to master much of the curve, so I'm hoping people 
>here can point me in the right direction.
>
> The scanner will be used by a graphic designer to scan slides, 
>transparencies, (both 4x5 and 6x7), and possibly colour negatives of my 
>sculpture.
>
> Here's the criteria which I think I should be considering.
>
> 1)  I would like to get as good quality scans as possible using a scanner 
>that costs no more than about $400.
>
> 2)  I have a PowerMac 9500/150 with 304 MB RAM, which will have a FireWire 
>and USB PCI card, to which I can connect the scanner. Eventually however, I 
>will upgrade  to a G3 or G4, so I would like the scanner to be forward 
>compatible.
>
> 3)  I do not care whether it is a dedicated slide scanner or a flat bed 
>scanner with a transparency attachment. Quality of results is the most 
>important.
>
> 4) Speed although nice is not a top priority.
>
> A friend suggested an Epson 3200.  Any thoughts on that model?
>
> Any advice people can give me will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Maaki
>
>
>


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