Any idea v/v the best value on a slide scanner...speed,performance, quality, ease.

I have used a Nikon coolscan and just an HP flatbed with a transparency adaptor and found almost equal quality when the scanned image is dropped into a powerpoint talk and projected in a large lecture theatre/ballroom. Do I need a dedicated slide scanner or should I just get a good flatbed that can do it all?

-- peter j evans (peter j evans@msn.com), March 12, 1999

Answers

How large was the file you dropped into the powerpoint presentation? If all you ever did was to scan images for powerpoint presentations, you may find that a flatbed scanner with a transparency adaptor may be all you need. However if you are going to print an image you may not be happy wiht the results. If you want a better comparison print the scan from the flatbed scanner at 8X10 and then print a scan from the coolscan scanner at the same size. you will notice the difference,especially if you have an image with fine detail.

Jonathan

-- Jonathan Ratzlaff (jonathanr@clrtech.bc.ca), March 14, 1999.

If all you are doing is dropping images into Powerpoint you are fine with your slide adapter. I too have run a comparison - using an HP6200cse with it's slide adapter, and an HP Photosmart. Bottom line is the slide adapter went straight to the dust bin.

The Photosmart scanner is very good. Go for the newer one that comes out April 1st - it seems to address some of the myriad of problems reported with the current scanner (which is still a good one - and will probably become quite cheap on April 2nd!). Some of these problems are noise(especially noticable in the dark areas of high contrast slides), "newtons rings" - possibly from light reflecting on the glossy surface of the slide (???), and streaking (so far I've always been able to cure it by putting the slide in the other way (not upside down). I've heard of some focus problems, but have not experienced one myself.

If you are printing pictures - get the slide, negative scanner. Photosmart if you want to spend less than $500.

In a review I read of the Photosmart Scanner the reviewer indicated the fact that the scanner does slides, negative and prints was a lame idea(apparently referring to prints). I disagree - I have used the scanner for all three and absolutely love the flexibility!

Dan Desjardins

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@tek.com), March 17, 1999.