Tax season again, maybe I can get some return?! Thinking it's probabily time to get a little digitalized, "film scanner" it is. I mean entry level, more affordable around 300~400 range- don't want to spend a "summilux" or a "summicron" on a digital equip. :) I had one time used a flatbed scanner with film adaptor- Epson photo 1650, not quite satisfied with scanning slides results. Have seen good reviews for Canoscan 2710(2720) and Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II, but can't find users with experience of both. They have about the same spec, and price range about the same, seems more usrs for Minolta though. Thanks.

-- Fred Ouyang (yo54@columbia.edu), March 24, 2002

Answers

I'm using a Dimage Scan Elite II -- it's in the $650+ range. Wonderful tool. No criticisms. I've got it tethered via firewire to an iMac -- speedy combo.

-- Patrick (pg@patrickgarner.com), March 24, 2002.

Patrick - Were you able to compare it with the CoolScan IV? Anyone?

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 24, 2002.

Couldn't do a direct comparison. I went w/ the Dimage because of two factors. I) Reviews were all excellent w/o exception; and 2) it had a firewire connection, which saves to disc about 10x faster than a USP. I've been using a highend Linotype-Hell flatbed scanner (cost about $1400), but it's awkward & slow w/ 35mm, although quality is fine. To my amazement the Dimage yields far better quality, is impressively built & has excellent software. I don't give it a rave, but damn close...

-- Patrick (pg@patrickgarner.com), March 24, 2002.

Patrick, I'm thinking of getting the Minolta Dimage Elite Scan II for my first scanner. I've heard some good things about it. I'd really appreciate it if you can provide some details about this scanner!

How large are your prints from this scanner? Have you found it to be relatively user friendly? What kind of film are you scanning? I'd be using it exclusively for B&W & color print film and printing 8x10's.

-- Ken Prager (pragerproperties@worldnet.att.net), March 24, 2002.

Ken, I picked it up from CruxWorks off the web. Great price, quick service, recommended.

It's friendly, easy to setup, intuitive. The software (w/ ICE 3) is robust & equal to the best professional packages. The actual scanning quality is simply amazing. Shadow detail is startling. Color fidelity is slightly warm by perhaps a chroma, & easily corrected in PhotoShop. Speed depends totally on what you ask the scanner to do--a single pass is quite fast, a 2x scan slower, a 4x scan slower still, etc. Setting it to use ICE (which I do by default) slows it down by about 4- 6 seconds. You can batch scan up to 6 negs. The firewire is fast, fast. But all of that aside, the scan quality at 2850 dpi is truly astounding. I am considering dumping my Hasselblads now that I am beginning to understand how good these 35mm scans from the Dimage can be. Can't say enough good things...

-- Patrick (pg@patrickgarner.com), March 25, 2002.

Patrick. I appreciate your comments! This looks like a very good scanner and a really good value too. Thanks for your response! Ken

-- Ken Prager (pragerproperties@worldnet.att.net), March 25, 2002.

Patrick,

Is your experience with color negatives, slides or b & w, or all?

-- Christopher Goodwin (christopher.goodwin@gte.net), March 25, 2002.

You guys should get commissions from Minolta. I've been teetering between a few different units and finally pulled the trigger on the Dimage Elite.

Thx

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 26, 2002.