I've just returned to its owner after loan a Polaroid 4000 film scanner which gave impressive results from my M6 negs.

I should like to buy a cheap film strip scanner (flatbed ) so that I can do some initial sorting.

There seem to be many options. Can anyone recommend a particular make and model from their own experience. ?

-- Tony Brookes (gdz00@lineone.net), January 02, 2002

Answers

I have the old, SCSI, version of the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual (2480 dpi resolution). It's produced good results for me & didn't cost too much (<$450). I've heard good things about the current USB version, too.

-- Chris Chen (furcafe@cris.com), January 02, 2002.

I have recently acquired an Epson2450 and I am delighted with the performance. It too is in the $450 range.

-- Ivor Quaggin (iquaggin@rogers.com), January 02, 2002.

For flatbed,the Epson 2450 is a good choice. I am a very satisfied user of this scanner. also see www.virtualtraveller.org Best

-- Chi Cheung (chic@intergate.bc.ca), January 02, 2002.

Thanks for the info about the Epson 2450 which I have seen and used but I was thinking of a really budget model at about $200.

-- Tony Brookes (gdz00@lineone.net), January 02, 2002.

Hi Tony,

I have the epson 1250 Photo, which is about 160 $ here in Germany. Quite nice, good resolution, but unfortunately the software suffers some problems in my eyes: No way of scanning MF, though size yould allow this and, which is more crucial, no scanning of bright negatives / dark slides. This means only slides with a +/-2.5 stops exposure can be handled, no 'face in the dark' pictures or similar subjects. The scanning sw just cannot recognize the slides then.
Otherwise a nice piece of HW. If it would deal with the above problems which are sw - related I'd give it 5 stars.

Kai

-- Kai Blanke (kai.blanke@iname.com), January 02, 2002.

There's nothing available at $200 that I would consider worth spending the money on. For $400, the Epson 2450 is well worth the $100 premium over the Epson 1650 Photo. For about the same money, the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II will do even better for 35mm format film scanning. See the following page for a comparison between the two scanners:

Epson 2450 Photo : Small test

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), January 02, 2002.

Sorry, screwed up the link:

http://www.bayarea.net/~ramarren/ photostuff/epson2450test/e2450.htm

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), January 02, 2002.

I am using a SCSI Minolta ScanSpeed which can do 2800 dpi and is quite adequate for 8x10. The Minolta software was not very good, so right now I am using the scanner with Vuescan form Hamrick Software. The only drawback is the Dmax which is not high enough compared to the new Nikon Coolscan 4000.

-- Toan Nguyen (toan.nguyen@videotron.ca), January 02, 2002.

I have a Minolta Dimage Scanner for sale, I bought it for my mother, but in the end she bought a digital camera. I have only used it to see if it works. Based in the UK, make me an offer....

-- Richard (richard@designblue.co.uk), January 04, 2002.

Too bad you waited so long. The Polaroid SprintScan 4000 has been on sale, with a $200 rebate for the past several months. I got mine from B&H for $550 with rebate. Before doing anything, I would check with B&H and see if the rebate has been extended. I think you'll find anything else in this price range disappointing after using the Polaroid 4000.

-- Glenn Travis (gmtravis3@home.com), January 04, 2002.

Tony, after having used the Polaroid SprintScan4000 scanner, you'll probably be REALLY disappointed with the results from a flat bed scanner for negatives, especially if you are looking at "cheap film strip" scanners. The SprintScan is incredible and there's nothing in it's price range. I've been using this scanner for a few weeks now and it's fantastic. Scanning at 4000 dpi and 100%, I get files good enough to make 13x19-sized prints at 300dpi. The rebate for the Polaroid SS 4000 expires at the end of this month. Purchase must be made by Jan 31 and the rebate must be postmarked by Feb 15. I got mine from B&H for $750 (before $200 rebate).

-- Richard Le (rvle@yahoo.com), January 05, 2002.