Digital BW, The Print

>Unfortunately the dust removal in Vuescan affects
> the entire image, so I prefer to use the Minolta software for this 
and
> do something else while it's scanning.

I use my laptop for scanning and photosho (vt) on the desktop.
 
> > 4. The Nikon is known for some softness around the edges due 
> > to a very  narrow depth of field and failure to hold the negative 
> > perfectly flat . I have found this to be true for the Nikon, but 
could
> not determine 
> > in a test scans if the Dimage was any better. 
> 
> Unfortunately, there IS a problem with edge to edge sharpness. A 
glass
> holder would be desirable, but I don't think such a thing exists for
> this scanner.
> 

Anti-Newton glass is made for the Nikon 4000,  These are contact 
addresses Email:mike@..., Web Site http://www.fpointinc.com 
that I found on the Yahoo Nikon 4000 group

Mike emailed me as follows:
<<You have to replace the top piece of plastic with our glass and 
bend the 
small aluminium tabs thst hold the plastic up and out of the way of 
the 
glass.  This means that your holder effectively is permanantly 
converted 
to a glass holder since the tabs will eventually break off if you 
bend 
them each time the plastic is replaced by the glass.

It can be ordered online at
http://www.fpointinc.com/cgi-local/web_store/web_store.cgi   Just
enter the word "nikon" in the search window and glass sizes
will come on screen.  Indicate the number you need and add them to 
the 
shopping cart.  Then check out.>>

 I've only just received mine and cannot comment other than to say it 
sort-of clips into the aluminium part of the film strip.  For me the 
fit was difficult and not entirely satisfactory as the glass could be 
thinner:I guess it would have been if it were not then more 
susceptible to breakage.  It cost US$33 for shipment to my son in 
continental USA and he shipped it to me across the pond.

Colin