Re: [APML] The next great scanner?

[Ray Butler <ray.butler@nuigalway.ie>]

Those using good flatbed scanners might be able to share their 
experiences here. I use the "previous best" Epson flatbed, the Epson 
3200 Photo, for MF scans. It has a curious problem, which I wonder if 
the Epson 4870 has eliminated, or this new Canon 9950F...

When scanning slide films, whenever there is a star on a dark background 
("dark" meaning somewhere at or above the rebate density, but somewhat 
less than the sky fog limit), there is a faint little 'trail' or 'ghost 
spot' left on both sides of the star image. The net appearance is that 
the stars are slightly elongated or trailed, as if by guiding error. But 
this only happens in the direction of the scanner motion, which 
indicates to me that there is some spillover of light or CCD charge as 
the one-dimensional scan CCD passes over a bright spot. The problem is 
not at all visible when viewing the slide films under a high power 
loupe. And if I turn the film holder through 90 degrees, the trails also 
turn through 90 degrees, which proves conclusively that they are not on 
the photo itself.

This effect does _not_ occur when scanning negative films. A black dot 
on a bright background is not affected; only a white dot on a dark 
background. Also, unsharp masking (during or after the scan) tends to 
get rid of the problem, so you have to do a raw scan to really see it.

Has anyone else noticed this effect?

Ray "who nonetheless considers the Epson 3200 to have been a great buy 
at the time" Butler


Kevin McCarthy wrote:

> 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
> 
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-- 
Dr. Ray Butler (ray.butler@nuigalway.ie || ray@physics.nuigalway.ie)
Lecturer, Dept. of Physics || Computational Astrophysics Laboratory
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Tel: +353-91-524411 ext. 3788   FAX: +353-91-525700

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