Re: [APML] Film Scanners

[Jerry Lodriguss <jml@astropix.com>]

>
>1)      Kodak RFS 3600 - about $900-1,000 to purchase - 3,600 dpi, USB or
>SCSI II - 100 rolls of Kodak film (which I could use!) included if purchased
>by 12/31/01


Although the price is attractive, I would stay away from this one. We have 
two at work, and neither has ever worked. I've heard lots of other people 
with similar bad experiences.


>2)      Polaroid SS4000 - about $750 to purchase - 4,000 dpi - $200 rebate -
>but, since Polaroid filed for Chapter 11 protection a few weeks ago, I have
>substantial questions about warranty, support, and whether the Bankruptcy
>court will allow them to honor the rebate offer.

This is a good scanner for $750 even without the rebate. It is a gamble on 
the other considerations though.


>3)      Nikon Coolscan 4000 - about $1600 to purchase, which is more that I
>really want to spend - and, I have heard some mention that the LED light
>source in the Nikon poses a problem for scanning certain kinds of astrophoto
>negatives.


The LED light source is a specular light source and will emphasize any dust 
and scratches. The Nikon scanners are notorious for this. That's why they 
had to invent Digital Ice to remove those defects. Otherwise it's probably 
a good scanner, but if the software is the same as the LS2000, it basically 
sucks for astro. It will do a great job on normal scenes on chrome, but 
doesn't handle color neg too well.

Nikon has some less expensive scanners you might want to take a look at.

Check out:

http://www.cix.co.uk/~tsphoto/tech/filmscan/menu.htm

This is an excellent site with a lot of reviews of scanners.

Jerry


Astrophotography, Tips and Techniques
for Digital Enhancement in Photoshop:
http://www.astropix.com

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