Scanner Question...

Dabear wrote:
> I've been focused on digital photography for the last few
> years....and am just now getting around to doing something to convert
> my 35mm film strips to digital images. I've looked at a lot of
> scanners in all price ranges....but don't know how much I'll have to
> spend to be happy with the results. I assume, like it is with most
> things, that there is a "break point" at which you get diminishing
> returns in terms of cost vs quality...I guess that's the question I'm
> asking.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions...
>
> And...Happy New Year to all !!
>
> Barry

I use a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual 3. Not the most expensive Minolta scanner
but compares very favourably with neg/pos scanners costing 3 times as much.

Bought on E-bay for £130, it has provided me with a new hobby, scanning
transparencies from as far back as 1960, negatives too. The results are
staggering, and with dust the main enemy, you can retouch using Photoshop or
Paintshop Pro's Clone brush in less time than it takes to view the photo.

The more expensive scanners have a software tool, Digital ICE, for automatic
dust removal, but cost a lot more ( Minolta's Scan Elite 5400 2 costs over
£500 new), and can be bought on Ebay for around £280.

Bear in mind that a lot of these scanners on E-bay are virtually brand new.
Mine still had the unfilled guarantee card. This is because of the move to
digital photography, once all your slides and negatives are scanned, there
is little you can use the gadget for. They hold their price very well, and
are easily disposed of once you no longer need them.

Best £130 I have ever spent!

Dennis.
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"Dabear" <hiouchibear.DeleteThis@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:3IMtf.3065$M%4.1420@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> I've been focused on digital photography for the last few years....and am
> just now getting around to doing something to convert my 35mm film strips
> to digital images. I've looked at a lot of scanners in all price
> ranges....but don't know how much I'll have to spend to be happy with the
> results. I assume, like it is with most things, that there is a "break
> point" at which you get diminishing returns in terms of cost vs
> quality...I guess that's the question I'm asking.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions...
>
> And...Happy New Year to all !!
>
> Barry

I started off a few years ago with an HP Scanjet 4570c. This can scan three
35-mm slides at a time, and gives reasonable results. However, I have a
Nikon Coolpix 4300 camera, and I discovered last year that there is a slide
copying adapter for it (ES-E28) which I purchased. This adapter screws onto
the lens, and there is a special setting on the 4300 that you use for it.
All the difference in the world! This is essentially making use of the
already excellent macro capability of this camera, and the results are
extremely sharp and clear. You just have to be sure to use a light table or
(as I have done) the white screen of my PC monitor turned up to 100% as the
background lighting. Easy to use. I then run my copies thru Photoshop
Elements to tweak color, contrast, etc., as needed.
Jim C,
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