Problems scanning Leica (on topic)

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Hello all.

I’ve been having numerous problems scanning (see http://www.futurafish.com/TestPage.htm) as im getting stripes across the image. I understand that this may be a scanner problem (any other comments??) However that is not my question; im looking to upgrade my scanner and looking for suggestions. The thing is I use Windows NT4 (Workstation) and have found possible options limited.

Can anyone recommend which scanner I should consider to use on NT? I don’t want to move from NT to Windows2000 for the moment, although if I really have to I guess I could consider it.

Any thoughts re the original problem would also be appreciated.

Btw.. for arguments sake lets say my budget for a scanner is around $1000 (£600-£700)

Jason

-- Jason Vicinanza (jason@futurafish.com), July 02, 2001

Answers

I'm curious (because I had a similar problem): what scanner are you using? Also, you may want to consider subscribing to the filmscanne rs mail list. It is an excellent source of information.

Fergus

-- Fergus Hammond (fhammond@adobe.com), July 02, 2001.


Jason,

For what it's worth, I own & use a Polaroid SprintScan 4000 on NT4sp5, cost $1300 7 months ago. I scan 35mm exclusively, negs and slides, for printing only (Epson 1270), so the resolution was the deciding feature for me.

The scanner requires a SCSI interface which was included (hardware and NT drivers) with the scanner -- very thoughtful of Polaroid I reckon.

I've noticed people panning the Polaroid's mechanicals, but I've never had a problem and I've run 300+ frames through the thing (limited by time & disk space -- scans get over 100 Mbytes at times).

The scanner does NOT handle full film strips, it uses plastic carriers for slides and a 6-frame negative strip. If you are in a production environment where you gotta scan all day long I could imagine it would make you crazy in no time.

Optically the scanner likes contrast, does real well with slides. Low density negs are sometimes troublesome, the scanner can't seem to pull detail a wet print shows. But with normal density the Polaroid/Epson produce prints every bit as good (to my old eyes) as I ever got with an enlarger.

It has no automatic dust removal, but I keep my film pretty much dust and scratch free, so no problemo. When I do find a blemish I whip out the ol' Photoshop stamp tool and make it go away.

The scanner comes with two SilverFast plugins for Photoshop, which is essential because Polaroid's software is pretty lame. The plugins work in the 48-bit domain for contrast adjustment and color correction, then dump into 24-bit Photoshop. Silverfast's tools are subtle and easy to dial in. (I wouldn't call Silverfast's UI easy, but it's worth the trouble to learn.)

The kit includes an IT8 color reference slide, and calibrating the system is a piece of cake.

Overall, I'm a happy camper, again, for what it's worth.

Good luck,

Jeff

-- Jeff Stuart (jstuart1@tampabay.rr.com), July 04, 2001.


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