[APML] The next great scanner?

[Kevin McCarthy <kevin_mccarthy@comcast.net>]

Canon has just released their 9950F flatbed scanner, which will accept a 
whole roll of 35 mm, and two strips of 120 format.  They claim that it 
is so good that they are discontinuing their line of dedicated film 
scanners.  In the flatbed realm, the current best model seems to be the 
Epson 4870, which has been favorably compared to dedicated Nikon MF film 
scanners.  I would like to hear any opinions as to how the new 9950F and 
year-old 4870 compare.  Curiously, Canon does not mention a Dmax value.  
An initial review of the 9950F is here, although he (Vincient Olivier) 
plans to follow up with an in-depth review shortly:

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/News/Sept04/Canon%20scanner.htm

He has an in depth review of the current champion Epson 4870 at:

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%204870/page_1.htm

Here is some info from Canon:

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=120&modelid=10446 


I did see some grousing on a German site that the Canon software is "too 
automatic", also some concern that third party software such as Digital 
Ice and SilverFast may take a while to be available for this scanner.
It may still be too early to tell if this has a real performance edge 
over the 4870.  Being in the market for a MF scanner, it caught my 
interest.  On another note, Nikon LS-8000 can be had for ~ $1500 if you 
are willing to buy a refurb, more like ~2000 otherwise.  Opinions, anyone?

Kevin McCarthy

_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo