This film scanner is receiving a lot of commentary. My suggestion is
that anyone considering it be sure to read the FULL reviews about it to
better understand it's limitations and benefits. I is certainly cheap,
and apparently high res, but it is not without major flaws.
It comes with Silverfast SE, which alone is worth the cost of the
scanner, but, keep in mind Silverfast is designed specific to one
scanner when it comes packaged with a scanner.
Just a few are issue with this scanner:
While the highest resolution scanner currently on the market, keep in
mind the specs often don't necessarily give you the full story of the
final output result.
Manual film advance... no batch scanning, you have to move the film
carrier into the unit and then for each scan. The light source and
scanning element moves, while the film remains stationary. Some older
Nikons used this same design.
Great on shadows, but blows out highlights, and has no way to adjust
exposure
Difficult to control color and no focus control, but the bright lighting
allows for high depth of field. Will not accept thick slide mounts.
Very visible dust and grain and software provided tends to soften image.
Software only works on PC (Is XP compatible).
This is a very good scanner for people doing occasional scans where
batch scanning is unnecessary. Due to the lighting, and resolution,
manual spotting will almost definitely be required. Not good from
grainy film, unless you like grain visibility.
It is definitely good value, but be sure to read all the information to
see if the weaknesses are going to prove fatal for your needs or not.
Art
Chris Street wrote:
> Consider the £169.99 incl.vat Plustek OpticFilm 7200.
>
> It's 7200dpi optical scan - highest resolution of any film scanner.
>
>
>
> Chris Street
>
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: filmscanners_owner@halftone.co.uk
>>[mailto:filmscanners_owner@halftone.co.uk] On Behalf Of Simon Pearson
>>Sent: 19 July 2005 13:07
>>To: chris@street56.fsbusiness.co.uk
>>Subject: [filmscanners] 'Cheap' film scanner recommendations
>>
>>I have been recommended this list after posting a question on the yahoo D70
>>mailing list, so hope you can help...
>>
>>I have a collection of around 2500 slides, mostly Kodachrome (and a handful
>>of negative), that I would like to eventually get around to scanning so
>>that
>>I have a digital archive of them all, plus this will mean they actually get
>>looked at a bit more often.....
>>
>>I do not need them to be scanned at any fantastic resolution since they
>>will
>>only be for web use and/or maybe small prints (under 7x5), since if I want
>>a
>>large print, I would just use the original slide.
>>
>>Also bearing in mind since turning digital I have not taken another film
>>photo, so once the slides are scanned the scanner will effectively be
>>defunct, so the less I can spend the better.... I had been thinking of
>>getting a flat bed scanner since that at least wouldn't become defunct, but
>>the quality isn't as good (for film) and I've never felt the need for a
>>flatbed ever anyway, so it too would probably be defunct.....
>>
>>I have been thinking along the lines of the Minolta Scan Dual IV plus
>>Vuescan software since it gives me a RAW file. The RAW file appeals since
>>it
>>is effectively the same as a 'normal' RAW file in the digital camera sense,
>>the basic data is there and I can return to it at any time in the future to
>>tweak and get the most out of it.
>>
>>Any advice greatly appreciated.....
>>
>>BTW I know that this will be a very onerous task taking me a few years to
>>complete, but the good side is that the slides aren't getting any more
>>numerous so an end is always in sight!
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Simon
>>>From sunny/wet Bolton.....
>>
>>
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>
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>
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