I have a Polaroid pdc 640 digital and a Cannon Eos Rebel x 35 mm camera with 200-400 mm auto focus lense with a window mount and hand switch to trigger the Cannon. As I am shaky after a minor stroke. Can anyone give me the make and price of a reasonable Negative scanner and the max dpi of the Scanner. As I prefer to use the 35 mm camera and don't care to pay for prints as I have my computer and a disc burner. And does a higher DPI make for better clarity of the pictures. [ 23 January 2002: Message edited by: Art ]
Art, I suggest a bit of research is in order. One of my favourite digital sites, Steve's Digi-cams, has a page for these scanners offering impartial reviews. Within them are links to online vendors so you can see the current pricing of these, too. Go to - http://www.steves-digicams.com/scanners.html An alternative site to the above - http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCANINDEX.HTM A site with comparitive views of images after scanning with a negative scanner - http://www.slonet.org/~dkrehbie/2photo/digital/which.htm A photographer's view on Nikon's negative scanners - http://www.moose395.net/digital/scanners.html If you are partial to a particular brand, and don't find information regarding it on the above sites, I suggest using the Google search engine and typing in exactly the brand and model of the scanner you are looking at to find any additional resources available on the 'net. Hope this is of help. Gary.
Having just been in your position, I can probably offer a little insight. I currently have an Olympus ES-10 transparency scanner. These sell for $350 new, but I picked up one second-hand for less than half that. At the price I paid, I feel the scanner is great, however, the price they sell for new is rather outlandish. That being said, it's probably best you looked for another scanner. Last I checked, B&H Photo in New York had some second-hand Canon transparency scanners for $250. These are a step ahead of my scanner, but still cost the same new. I believe they are the FS2710, but I am not totally certain on that. The next level up would be the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II. This is a great scanner, I'd heard only positive reviews of it. I believe they sell for $400 new, haven't seen any on the used market as of yet. If you can go up one more level, I believe you'll find the best value in film scanners. The Polaroid SprintScan 4000 sells for $750, but has a $200 mail-in rebate available on it. This scanner has by far the most features for the price. I know a couple people that use this scanner and all enjoy theirs. After that you're taking the leap up to the $1000+ scanners, namely the Canon FS4000, Nikon CoolScan IV, and Minolta Dimage Scan Multi II. If you have any questions on the subject, let me know, I'd be more than glad to help out!
Cannon has a Flat Bed Scanner with a built in Negative Scanner that is low priced. Can it possibly be any good?
We have two scanners. One is a flat bed and it is made by Hewlett Packard and is ScanJet 5100C. It does a very nice job on prints and drawings. For my slides and negatives we bought a Prime Film 1800i. It was in the mid to lower range price wise, but it does a good job. With the slide scanner, I will start shooting my favorite slide film again, K64. Greg Elems
Kodacrap 64? *runs screaming into the hills* I used to shoot K64, but then I was pulled into the Fuji empire by some friends. Now that I've made the switch, there's no going back. The standard in railfan film is becoming Fuji Astia. Many, many Kodak supporters are jumping ship. If you're concerned about grain, then try some Fuji Provia 100F, bit more of a color kick than Astia, but by far the best grain of any consumer film on the market.
Brian, I should give the Fuji a try. Trouble is, living on the edge of civilization, Fuji slide film isn't common. I also have been shooting K64 since 1975 and it is a hard habit to give up. Does Fuji use the same processing as Ektakrome? Greg Elems Reno, Nv [ 31 January 2002, 06:21: Message edited by: Greg Elems ]
AFAIK, Fujichromes and Ektachromes/Elite Chromes use the same process, E-6. I've noticed that Wal-Mart has stopped carrying Kodachrome 64 in favor of Fuji Sensia 100. I'd put the two about on the same playing field, both are useable films, but not the best on the market. The best place to get film is online. I usually order mine in 20 packs from B&H Photo in New York. I'm in a somewhat civilized area (rural Ohio) and still have to drive an hour plus to Toledo or Ft. Wayne to find a shop that carries my film. I do, however, make it a point to mail-order film as much as possible, as the price savings are huge. As an example, and a shaky one at that, Wal-Mart carries the consumer Fuji Sensia 100 for $6/roll. Contrast that to B&H who has pro Astia for $5/roll and Sensia 100 for $3/roll. Now, some would argue that mail order isn't economical because of shipping charges, but if you're buying more than a few rolls at a time, as most people do, then there savings are there.
Brian, You are right, a 20 to 60 dollar savings on a brick of film is well worth the mail order expense. I may try a roll of Fuji first before I go to buy a brick. To tell the truth, my wife's digital camera has gotten the most use here lately. Spring is coming though and that is when I like to get out with the old Nikon and shoot. The only drawback of the K64 was the speed. But I used a tri-pod usually and like to shoot where the train speed isn't the fastest thing out there. I did try the K100(?) and don't remember how it compared. Greg
You mean Kodachrome 100? No such anmial. K'chrome came in 25, 64, and 200. With the recent cuts at Kodak, I'm not sure what is still made. The added two thirds stop over K'chrome is another great thing going for the Fujichromes. Fuji even makes Provia 400, which is supposed to be almost as good as its slower siblings, but unfortunately at $10/roll mail order, it's a bit out of my leauge. Pick up a roll of the different types of Fuji slide films (Velvia, Astia, and Provia 100) and see what one you like best. Astia seems to be the most widely used, Provia 100 has a very fine grain structure and a bit more color saturation, and Velvia also sports some great grain and color saturation that has been described by some as "retina burning." I've been shooting Astia myself, but I'm going to try out some Provia to see if it's got enough of a color kick for my tastes, if not I'll probably dive in with more Velvia for this season.
Brian, Now that you mention it, it was k200. When I typed it out, it didn't look right and the difference between 64 and 100 isn't worth switching to. I haven't used the Ektachromes in years either. It used to be too cool for my tastes. I also found that the Ektachrome doesn't scan as well as my old Kodachrome. I will hit Wally World on the way home from work sometime this week and pick up a couple different Fuji slide film and see how it turns out. Greg
