Re: [APML]: SprintScan 35

[Dusty Day <dday@micron.net>]

Jeff Cook wrote:
> 
> FYI - Several flatbed scanners can be outfitted with a transparency
> scanner. The HP series I believe can do slides and negs with this
> attachment (replacement lid). It's quite pricey, though.
> 

I don't reccomend this for scanning negatives.  Yes it will work. 
However, most flatbed scanners have an optical resolution of 300 to 600
dpi.  Slide/negative scanners usually are in the 2400-2700 dpi range. 
Remember this is optical resolution.  A lot of vendors claim high
resolution, but usually that is interpolated.  The software guesses the
values between what the actual CCD pixels pick up.  While this works
fairly well for non-astro negatives and slides, it can't possibly
"guess" where a star should be on the negative if it happens to fall
between the CCD pixels on the scanner.  

You see, this is exactly what I did to begin with.  I bought a flatbed
scanner with a transparency adapter.  It really sucks for astro
negatives, but works pretty well for more normal subjects.  So I broke
down and got an HP Photosmart Scanner.  It's optical resolution is
2400dpi.  I've scanned the same astro negative using both scanners, and
the HP blew the flatbed away.  (Buying the flatbed wasn't a total waste,
since I still use it for documents and prints...)

For astro work, avoid the flatbed scanner and go for one designed for
negatives.  You'll pay more, but you probably won't be happy with a
flatbed.

Clear skies,
-- 
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      Dusty Day       |            No sense being pessimistic.
   dday@micron.net    |                    It wouldn't work anyway.
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