Digital BW, The Print

David, thank you for your informative comments.  Given you positive
feelings about the Minolta, is there a noticeable difference compared
to the older Canon fs4000?  Yes, there's an additional 1,400dpi
resolution, but does that provide for better tonality?

With my Canon, the best film for scanning is the b&w chromogenics (TCN
and Xp-2).  Tri-x and most silver-based films don't look so great --
the grain tends to block up and mess with the tone transitions.

-Robert Ades

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "David B. Brooks"
<fotografx@m...> wrote:
> Robert,
> 
> Shortly after its announcement I had the opportunity to test and
report on
> the Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400, which appeared in Shutterbug
magazine
> some issues back. I also tested and reported on the Canon 4000FS
some months
> before. I have not reviewed a Nikon scanner for some time, not because I
> have any issue with the scanner itself as it is very fine hardware, but
> because the software is the worst in its class and the scanner is on
that
> basis grossly over-priced.
> 
> The one outstanding feature, especially applied to scanning B&W
silver-based
> film is the 5400dpi optical resolution. That is a distinct advantage not
> just because it will natively support making 16x24 inch by 300dpi
scans, but
> the high resolution avoids a pattern interference problem with film
grain,
> particularly with grainier film processed with acutance developers (low
> sodium sulfite formula¹s) like Acufine and particularly Rodinal. In
> addition, the Minolta has a Grain Dissolver feature which is
actually a very
> fine diffusion filter, which combined with the scanners tube light
source
> that also reduces apparent graininess and avoids highlight blocking,
which
> can occur with some 35mm dedicated scanners with a more collimated light
> source (like the difference printing with a diffusion versus and
condenser
> enlarger).
> 
> If it makes any difference, being an old f... With 3/4 of my film
library in
> B&W, my reaction after testing the Minolta was to ask for invoice
sending
> Minolta a check instead of returning the scanner.
> 
> Regards, David B. Brooks
> Shutterbug Magazine
> E-mail: fotografx@m...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 10/15/04 8:07 PM, "Robert" <la_native@h...> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > I'm having the darnest time getting a comprehensive comparison of the
> > Nikon LS5000 and the Minolta 5400 compared to my Canon FS4000.  I know
> > the newer scanners have lots of new features, faster scanning, better
> > bit depth, ICE x 4, etc.
> > 
> > What I want to know is, do either of these scanners work better with
> > B&W negatives, OR pull better shadow detail with slides, than the
Canon.
> > 
> > I already have the Canon and can live with its limitations.  But I'd
> > consider upgrading if the image quality were noticeably better.
> > 
> > All comments w/b appreciated!  Thanks!
> > 
> > Robert Ades
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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