I need a flatbed scanner with an 8x10 or larger transparency adapter to make "contact sheets."

I have a Minolta Scan Multi that I use to scan 645 and 6x7 negatives. I have been doing a lot of color negative work lately, however, and would like to make contact sheets to do quick previews, rather than scanning individual frames that are of interest.

I am ready to buy either the UMAX 2400S w/ adapter (about $340.) or the UMAX 4000U w/ adapter (about $480.) The 4000 has 1200 DPI resolution, which I wouldn't need for contacts but could use in other caes.

Other suggestions? Any comments on your experience making "contacts"?

I haven't tried this, but don't see another clean solution except having the lab do contacts.

Thanks!

-- Michael T. Murphy (mmurph@ix.netcom.com), February 18, 2000

Answers

(Posted this above in response to another question, but thought I would repeat here.)

Just bought the UMAX Astra 4000U. About $500 with an 8.5x11 Transparency Adapter. Scans are 1200x2400 optical. It also supports USB for Win98 only - had USB ports but had to upgrade from Win95. No holders for negatives, you may be able to use the ones for the Epson (?)

SINGLE image scans from a 6x7 negative are pretty decent. I also have a Minolta Scan Multi so I can clip and compare the two for you if you like - let me know if you are interested.

The scanner software has one major problem from my perspective. I bought it to do contact sheets only, mostly of color negatives. Don't really need it for anything else.

The software WILL NOT allow you to turn off Auto Adjust in UTA (Negative) mode. As soon as you select ANY non-image area (for black borders, or contact sheets,) it automatically averages the orange base color to a medium-grey (blue) that is outside the range of the compensation controls.

I have been VERY frustrated with this. Have had a call and e-mail in to the help desk. For now I am doing marginal quality contacts using the UTA(Transmissive) (slide) mode, then correcting as best I can in Photoshop. Can't find any 3rd party software yet that supports it, including MagicScan, VueScan, SilverFast.

Epson 1600 looks interesting for $780+-. Look at the software before you buy, though SilverFast is offering a version for the Epson for $99.

Higher end UMAX scanners include MagicScan software, instead of VistaScan on the "consumer" scanners. MagicScan will also unoffically support UMAX consumer scanners that use SCSI, but I think these only go to 600x1200.

Will post separately on the 4000U once I have more time with it - and an answer from tech support!

-- Michael T. Murphy (mmurph@ix.netcom.com), March 16, 2000.