Re: minolta Dimage multiscan film scanner
2003-09-11 by Bruce
on 9/11/2003 4:13 AM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com at DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com wrote: > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 22:00:39 -0500 > From: "Alan Zimmerman" <azimmerman1@...> > Subject: Re: minolta Dimage multiscan film scanner > > I'm considering a quality med format film scanner and would appreciate any > comments on users of the Minolta Dimage multiscan !!.vs Nikon 8000 or new > artix 120tf. > Thanks,Alan Zimmerman Alan, I once had this same question. I test drove a minolta at Calumet camera and found the scan quality not very good, probably due to the minolta software. Some have helped this a bit by inserting a light diffuser into the machine. I was unable to test the Nikon, but bought it anyway. It turns out that the nikon software runs very slow on my mac when scanning large files, and I learned that one must choose "fine mode" for quality scans without banding (uses only one of three ccd sensors). Fine mode makes the scanner take 3 times as long to scan. Nikon software also has issues with scanning negatives and clipping highlights and shadows, but for most work is acceptable as one would probably want to clip them later anyway, but not always. My solution is to use Vuescan software with the nikon. It's interface is not so intuitive, but works once you learn it. It always scans in fine mode and scans large files faster on my mac than the nikon software. Vuescan does not clip any picture info unless you ask it to. I've been very happy with the results for all film types. a6x9 scan in 16bit mode takes about 20-30 minutes, but I've never actually timed it. Lastly, with the nikon you will need to purchase a glass film holder for sharp scans of medium format film. It costs about $200 but works very well. Nikon has since lowered the price of the LS-8000 since I bought it for $2800 a year ago. I've been happy with the purchase. -Bruce Visit my website at: http://home.earthlink.net/~smthopr