Hi, I currently own a Nikon LS-2000 scanner but need to acquire a scanner with 6X7 capability. I've read about the Minolta Dimage Scanner but was concerned that the resolution is only 1128 DPI at 6X7. Does anyone have experience with this scanner? Is there a better 6X7 scanner under $5,000? It would SEEM, to me, that the file size for a 6X7 scan at 1128 would be significantly smaller than a simlar scan of 35mm at 2,800. Help appreciated! Howard

-- Howard Posner (hposner1@swarthmore.edu), February 08, 1999

Answers

Hi Howard, Sorry for the slow response - we've been pretty busy getting ready for the PMA show, so I haven't been paying as much attention to the 'board as I should.

The "under $5,000" is the tough part: Both Polaroid and Nikon sell large-format scanners that go as large as 4x5, but I think they're both over $5K. We're about to get a Minolta Dimage Scan Multi in for testing, probably shortly after PMA. I think the file sizes for 6x7 and 35mm on it actually work out the same - they basically set the optics to spread the same number of CCD elements across the larger film area. The only catch for us testing this unit is that we don't currently have a test target at 6x7, so can only check it running 35mm film through it. I guess what we'll need to do for a fair test is go rent a 6x7 someplace & shoot a roll of the same subject with both it and my trusty Nikon 35mm. I don't know the schedule of when we'll (a) get this unit in, and (b) get to testing it, but it should be within the next month.

-- Dave Etchells (web@imaging-resource.com), February 13, 1999.