Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/12/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Again, you don't need a used Polaroid Sprintscan - just get a new Microtek 4000 whatever - it's the same scanner. On 12/19/05 1:39 PM, "George Hartzell" <hartzell@kestrel.alerce.com> wrote: > Nick Hillyer writes: >> I am looking for a film scanner to scan my Tri-X negatives, and an curious >> what others are getting good results with. I tried a Minolta Scan Dual >> IV, >> but couldn't get it to work with my Mac, and ultimately returned it. I >> have >> been thinking about the Nikon Coolscan V with Vuescan (which seems to be >> highly recommeded), but I have not found a lot of info on how it handles >> silver based B&W film. Anyone using this combo? What are your thoughts? > > I'm using an LS-5000 on a Mac running OS X. I use both the Nikon > software and Vuescan. The scanner is OK, but has a couple of > drawbacks: > > - the light source (led's?) seems to accentuate the grain in silver > films. > > - the scanner has a very shallow Depth of Field, so getting wavy > negs sharp can be touch. Using the one-frame-at-a-time holder > instead of the 6-frames-at-a-time slurper often solves the > problem. > > - [only applicable to color negs...] The Nikon software has a > characteristic behaviour where it clips the shadows and then puts > the darkest value at abot 225, wasting dynamic range. The > solution is to scan as a positive and reverse/color correct it > yourself. Sigh. Better solution is to use Vuescan. > > All of that said, I wouldn't actively advise against the scanner. > > If you can find a used Polaroid Sprintscan 4000, it might also be a > nice choice. Apparently it uses a diffuse light source that doesn't > accentuate the silver grains. It's missing Nikon's digital ICE stuff, > but that doesn't work on silver films anyway.... > > g. > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information