Digital BW, The Print

Hello Martin,
I purchased the SprintScan 45 (  original model ) off Ebay a few weeks ago. I am trying to determine its quality over a Microtek X12USL that was also purchased as an intended film scanner.... The SprintScan has a much higher degree of focus and lower noise in that it takes a dark frame prior to each scan. The problem is finding Software. The Polascan is marginal, VueScan from Ed Hamrick, although much better than the Polascan, does not support multiple scan averaging: the result is posterized. Even SilverFast, at $425 does not seem to run on this scanner. I downloaded the demo over the weekend ( 20 Mb ) and it would not recognize this older model. ( email sent to LaserSoft about that )

SO, the first results are that it is 'better' than the Microtek... 
I don't know a standard method for scanner evaluation ....
Someone have a neg for me to scan as a reference ??

Oh, it does however hold 4x5 glass plates. The floating spring loaded film frame needs to be removed and replaced with a soft foam frame. That, with electrical tape against the mating half of the film carrier makes a gentle but firm holder for these 100 year old negs....

Best,
Alex


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Martin Wesley" <mwesley250@e...> wrote:
> I received a catalog from Publishing Perfection listing refurbished Polaroid SprintScan 45, 4x5 film scanners for $1,199.95. 
> If anyone has any first hand experience with these scanners, please post what you think of them.
> 
> Martin Wesley
>