Hi Guys

I'm thinking of buying a negative/slide scanner. I asume that if you have a scanner you are just as keen on quality as with your Leica's

What are you using and how happy are you with it?

Reinier

-- ReinierV (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), January 29, 2002

Answers

Nikon Coolscan 4000ED, yes i am very happy with it. If you have the money for one it seems to be the scanner to get unless you step up to a drum scanner.

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

I use a HP-S20 very cheap but ok to the price (and the S20 can scan X- Pan slides with no problem) 2 weeks ago I had the oppernaturnity to buy a Kodak RFS3600 scanner at US$ 415 (normal prce in Denmark was more than US$ 1100) and couldent resist. This scanner give more details especially in the shadows (with slides)and will be used to scan all my 34X36 material

-- Kaj Froling (kf@draupnir.dk), January 29, 2002.

Nikon LS2000 + bulk slide feeder + vuescan. Delighted.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), January 29, 2002.

I currently use a Nikon LS-4000ED. I used a Polaroid SS4000 for about a year and a half before buying the Nikon. In side-by-side comparisons the Nikon wins over the Polariod (IMO) for ergonomics, colour accuracy, saturation and sharpness. You do have to be conscious of the Nikon's limited depth of field, and set the focus point on the film appropriately.

I'm also a big fan of Vuescan scanning software in preference to either manufacturer's proprietary software, and also in preference to Silverfast (which I had for the Polaroid).

While no scanner can do full justice to a chrome shot carefully with a very good lens, the LS-4000 is as close as it comes right now for a consumer scanner. Its effective resolution of 60 lp/mm gets an awful lot off the film.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), January 29, 2002.

I have a Kodak RFS-3600 which I bought largely because the 100 free rolls of film made it the most affordable high-res scanner at the time. I used to spend as much time fighting software problems as scanning, but the latest drivers work reasonably well (and it only took Kodak a year after product was released to provide functioning drivers). The scanner does a reasonably good job now that it works, but dust can be a problem.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), January 29, 2002.

It all depends on the destination of your photos.

For Internet use, low resolution (1200dpi) is the word. Try to look at the Microtek or Jenoptik.

Although you can keep a M6 for 20 years, a Computer product ages a lot quicker, that's today's saying.

Have a peep at the site www.zdnet.co.uk it will help.

Cheers Xavier.

-- Xavier d'Alfort (hot_billexf@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

I use the Minolta Scan Dual II and Epson 2450 Photo scanners and drive them with VueScan. Both are modestly priced but do a superb job.

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), January 29, 2002.

Dual Scan II. Good for 6x4 up to 5 x 7. Not sure about any bigger. Nice and cheap used with Epson 870. I wish I could get a digital print that really was microscopically as good as a regular R or C print. But the prints I make from the Dual Scan are better than regular minilab output that is for sure.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

HP S20 for XPAN and Canoscan 4000 for rest of 35mm work. Having FARE (Canon version of ICE) is really a good feature. I would have sold the HP if the Canoscan could do XPAN negs without stitching the frames. The Nikon version has better DMAX if you are doing more with slides. The Canon was the best priced 4000 dpi scanner with a infared channel to remove dust and scratches at the time I bought mine. The only problem with this technology is Kodachrome and BW negs are not supported with manufactures twain level drivers. Vuescan seems to have worked around this issue with Kodachrome but not B/W negatives. Hope that helps...

-- (garylhuie@netscape.net), January 30, 2002.

Linotype-Hell Saphir Ultra, great flatbed scanner for 4 x5 and medium format transparency film , but not so good for 35mm. I am looking for the next generation of Nikon film scanner to add to my equipment.

-- Marco Hidalgo (marco_hidalgo@hotmail.com), February 15, 2002.