RE: [APML] OT Medium Format Film Scanners

["R. Scott Ireland" <ireland@gate.net>]

Hi Jay,

I've been using the Sprintscan 120 for about 3 months now, and I like it a
lot.  It delivers very high quality scans (I use both the Polacolor Insight
software and Silverfast 5.5 Ai).  Silverfast has a steeper learning curve
(which I'm still riding on), but allows much greater pre-scan adjustments
and control.  This is important when saving 16 bit files, as Photoshop's
capabilities are limited when working on 16 bit scans.

The downsides:

1. Polaroid has filed bankruptcy, so it's an open question as to continued
company support
2. The medium format film holder does not always hold the film flat (if it
has a lot of curl/curve in it).  This can be solved by using an
appropriately sized piece of anti-newton ring glass.

Those are the only downsides I'm aware of.  I believe that Tony Hallas has
tested this scanner extensively and thinks very highly of it, except for the
film flatness issue in the MF holder.

I have not used the Nikon 8000, but I did read some early reports about
banding problems, which was one of the reasons I opted for the Polaroid.
This may or may not still be an issue - I haven't checked lately.

The Polaroid does not have digital ICE to auto-remove dust and scratches.
Many people swear by this.  My take on it is that with clean negatives, the
dust and scratch work I've had is very, very minimal.  The highly collimated
light source in the Nikon scanner likely accentuates scratches, which makes
ICE more essential in those machines.  In addition, I believe that ICE
somewhat softens an image, which is not something that I want.

FWIW,

Scott

website:  http://www.rsiphotos.com/
email:  ireland@gate.net

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-astro-photo@seds.org [mailto:owner-astro-photo@seds.org]On
> Behalf Of Jay E. Potts
> Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 8:38 PM
> To: astro-photo@seds.org
> Subject: [APML] OT Medium Format Film Scanners
>
>
> I presume many of you use medium format film scanners to work with your
> astro-images. So I hope this is not too OT.
>
> I have been using 35mm Nikon and Polaroid film scanners for years
> (generally
> preferring the Polaroid's). Now, however, my stock of 6x7 and 6x9
> transparencies has grown and have become a priority for scanning.
>
> Of the medium format film scanners available for around $3k, I am leaning
> toward the Nikon Super CoolScan 8000 ED to replace my Polaroid 35mm film
> scanners (for sale BTW).
>
> Do any of you have a strong recommendation for either the Nikon, Minolta
> Dimage Scan Multi Pro, or the Polaroid Sprintscan 120? I am aware of the
> differences as far as published specifications go, but I have found the
> specs don't really mean much in this case. I am interested how
> they stack up
> in real world usage.
>
> Thanks,
> Jay E. Potts
> http://www.whirlpoolgalaxy.com - Astrophotography
> http://www.americanfocus.com - Fine Art Landscape and Wildlife Photography
>
>
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