I have an Microtek Artixscan 4000 ( mechanically identical to the Polaroid
SS4000 ). It seemed from early reviews that I might be able to scan my
slides a lot faster and in particular avoid the incredibly tedious task of
removing dust if I traded up to the Nikon. Rick then posted this link
(thanks Rick) :
The Nikon "unfiltered" scans look sharper. But it appears to me that the
SS4000 not only had better shadow detail but suffered far less from film
grain. Both of these are also a pain when scanning. The Nikon could remove
the grain to the Polaroid standard but by then the Polaroid image was
sharper. I have also found that if you scan slides the moment you open the
box for the first time, it takes less than 5 minutes to despot them and you
don't lose any overall sharpness compared to ICE. Usually you can despot
whilst scanning the next slide.
For the family archive I'd quite like the Nikon as some of these are in a
dreadful state, but otherwise I prefer my A4000/SS4000.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Honemann" <danh@selectsa.com>
To: <filmscanners@halftone.co.uk>
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 8:06 PM
Subject: RE: filmscanners: Time to upgrade: Opinions wanted
> > I thank all of you for participating. I believe I found answers to most
of
> > my questions. Only time will show if I am going to be happy with
> > my choice.
>
> So what did you finally choose, Peter? And _are_ you happy with it (so
> far)?
>
> I shoot color slide film (velvia and provia 100--leaning toward
> standardizing on the latter) and b&w print (everything, from delta to
t-max
> to agfa to tri-x, but I'm considering standardizing on the C41-processed
XP2
> super), and my oldests slides/negs are only a year or so old, and all are
> kept in sleeves and boxed carousels so I imagine they are pretty clean.
>
> I'd thought I'd start with the Nikon LS-40 (Coolscan IV), since it's the
> cheapest of the three I'm considering, but Ed and others have hinted that
it
> doesn't have high enough resolution for slide film--and I'm more concerned
> about those than the negatives since I'm comfortable enough in a darkroom
> for b&w work.
>
> So that brings me to the LS 4000 vs. SS 4000: the same decision (no doubt)
> that many have faced. The fact that my slides and negatives aren't
> scratched (not that I know of, anyway) and that the price of the SS is
quite
> a bit lower than the LS, has me now leaning toward the Polaroid. The only
> concern is the lower DMax and the lack of a batch feeder, but I can
probably
> live with both of those limitations.
>
> Hmmm. Did I just make up my mind? :)
>
> Dan
>
>
