I am looking to purchase a scanner to work with medium format color negative film. Your review of the Minolta Multi was impressive. I am also considering the LinoColor Sahir 2 Ultra flatbed. A flatbed has the added advantage of working with reflection originals. Both of these scanners are similar in specifications and price. I have been told that the software for the LinoColor is very good.

My questions are as follows. What is your opinion on using a flatbed v.s. film scanner for scanning color negatives? With the specs being so close, do you think there is an advantage with the film scanner? Have you any experience with the LinoColor software for color negatives?

Thanks, Dennis Edson

-- Dennis Edson (DennisWCR@email.msn.com), May 24, 1999

Answers

Hi, The dedicated transmission scanners will always win, hands down, unless you go to a tremendously expensive drum scanner. Flatbeds do a decent job that cannot compare to the dedicated film scanners like the Minolta /Polaroid or Nikon. Lots of flatbed salepeople will try to tell you differently but don't believe them! Regards, Howard

-- Howard (hposner1@swarthmore.edu), May 26, 1999.