Minolta Dimage Scan Elite Scanner with Digital ICE Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did quite a bit of research before deciding on this scanner, so I'll sum up for you what took me many hours. I also considered a couple of the lower end Minolta Dimage scanners, as well as the Nikon Coolscan and the HP Photosmart S20.
Essentially, they all promise to scan 35mm film, and with an adapter, it can also do APS. However, promises are just that - empty for most of these scanners. This one however does it all:
- Digital ICE (you absolutely need this for cleaning images after they are scanned in - do NOT get a scanner without this, you'll be sorry!). - 2,820 dpi resolution (you always want to scan as high as possible. You can always sample down and lower resolution, but you can't go the other way without quality degradation) - Fast scanning speeds (with the exception of $2,000 models, this is the fastest scanner around. On my Windows PC is takes around 30 secs. On a Mac is takes 10 or so per FINAL scan.)
The problem with the Photosmart 20 is that it doesnt have a proper ICE image cleaner and film scans poorly. The Nikon coolscan doesnt have a good dut guard, and you end up with dust on your negatives/slides, which scans in horribly! UGH!
This one has virtually no weakness. SCSI connection makes it extremely fast! Get it and you'll be happy you did.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Minolta Dimage Scan Elite Scanner with Digital ICE

The Minolta Dimage Scan Elite Scanner is designed for professionals who want to produce top-quality images. Using Digital ICE (Image Correction Enhancement) technology, this scanner identifies surface defects like scratches, dust and fingerprints, and automatically removes them from the scan, reducing the need for retouching and producing cleaner images.
With a high input resolution of 2,820 dpi, the Dimage Scan Elite supplies 10 million pixels in a full-frame image scanned from 35mm film. The 12-bit RGB analog-to-digital conversion and 3.6 dynamic range deliver strong color while adjusting for deep shadows and bright highlights. Scanned images possess the fine quality of your original, with tonal gradations of up to 4,096 shades for each color channel (that's a total of 68.7 billion colors for RGB channels). The Dimage Scan Elite's driver software sustains from conventional 8-bit to 16-bit output. Thus you'll maintain accurate color fidelity in the final printing from prescanned images with gamma correction.
Top-quality output and versatility are paramount in the design of the Dimage Scan Elite. It's capable of scanning 35mm sleeved and mounted, positive and negative films in color and black and white. Plus, with an optional adapter, the Elite is also compatible with Advanced Photo System (APS) film. A click of the mouse yields index scans and continuous scanning of the entire APS film cassette. Running at scanning speeds you would expect from a more advanced unit, the Dimage Scan Elite scans 35mm color positives in an average of 30 seconds for Macintosh and 35 seconds for PCs. Combine this scanning rate with a high-speed SCSI-II interface, and your staff will scan more productively, saving time and effort.

Click here for more information about Minolta Dimage Scan Elite Scanner with Digital ICE

Read More...

Microtek ScanMaker 8700 USB Scanner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have to add this to my previous review, in all fairness to reviewing. I had to return my 8700 to Microtek. After a phone call to tech support, he determined that my unit may have had a hardware problem due to the inconsistent manner my scanner would or would not work. It would or would not scan the image-it might do a partial scan then black out the rest-or it might scan correctly-I just never knew what it would do.
When you would click the arrow in the toolbar to shut it down, it would not respond.
I did not get an owner's manual with my first scanner. So I sent it off; the replacement was a different story. It worked! It has not given me any "partial" scans; it has shut down properly everytime, and it had the owner's manual.
After e-mailing tech support to find out about the dynamic range, (indicates how a scanner might produce shadow detail) I found out it was a 3.2. This is not so great; I had noticed on more than a few slides that the shadow detail was lacking.
For me, this scanner prints better from negatives, as the film I use has very good latitude. 2400x1200 dpi optical for 35mm is okay but if you are serious about your work, wanting enlargements, your negatives or slides better be super sharp, with good contrast-otherwise I would look for a higher dpi output, or try a larger negative format.
To wrap this up, I wish this scanner had a better dpi output and a higher dynamic range-I would say the two most important characteristics, besides very sharp scans. Otherwise, the scanner is easy to use; the other features make it enjoyable to use. I would give it 3 stars, but the ability to print from larger negatives-4x5, 6x6-6x9 film negatives or unmounted slides, or 8x10 transparency holder w/glass hopefully will help out the quality of my enlargements-will have to wait and see.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microtek ScanMaker 8700 USB Scanner

The Microtek ScanMaker 8700 features an exclusive, patented dual-media design that allows you to scan both reflective surfaces and transparencies. It accepts legal-size documents, 35mm film slides, acetate sheets, and full-size books.
Microtek's innovative EDIT (Emulsion Direct Imaging Technology) eliminates Newton rings (blemishes caused in some scanners by interfering panes of glass) to ensure perfect, unadulterated image quality every time. True single-pass 2,400 x 1,200 optical resolution captures an unprecedented 1.44 million pixels per square inch, combining razor-sharp detail with the vivid clarity of 42-bit color depth.
Standard Macintosh and PC USB connectivity is augmented with the renowned FireWire linking kit. FireWire's lightning-fast transfer rates and superior data integrity maximize the 8700's efficiency while retaining the versatility of previous ScanMaker models with the regular USB port connection.
Enhanced interface software and an expanded utilities package provide powerful tools for user-friendly graphics and document manipulation.Included are Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE, Trellix Web designer, Microtek ScanWizard, Kodak Digital Science color management, and more.

Click here for more information about Microtek ScanMaker 8700 USB Scanner

Read More...

Epson Perfection 1640SU Photo Scanner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Epson Perfection Photo 1640SU is an excellent scanner. Although a bit more pricey than other home scanners, its resolution is unrivaled for the price. I like the one-button scanning it provides. The setup and software are easy. The automatic scanning modes are wonderful and do a great job, however, I like scanning from the TWAIN software from Photoshop because of the customizability it provides. The photo attachment was really surprising to me in the resolution that it provides. I have scanned 35 mm negatives and enlarged them to 5 x 7 inch prints; these prints look like photographs. I even did an 8x10 inch photo enlargement. The photo looks great on the monitor, however, it took forever to do any manipulations. This was not the fault of the scanner, but rather due to the large size of the file (which was around 700 Mbytes). It ended up crashing my computer. I will stick to 5x7 inch prints or use lower resolution scanning in the future.
I especially like the on-off switch on the front of the scanner; my previous scanner did not have this item. I have scanned many photographs now and have acheived magnificent results. This is a scanner that can do routine jobs but also specialized business-quality scanning. Thank you Epson!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Epson Perfection 1640SU Photo Scanner

The Epson Perfection 1640SU photo scanner is a flatbed color image scanner with one-pass scanning. It's fully automatic, allowing you to scan directly to an application with just one touch.
The dual-platform scanner for Mac and PC offers plug-and-play hookup and fast SCSI and USB connectivity.The maximum scan area is 8.5 by 11.7 inches, although you can scan legal-size documents and pictures if using the optional auto document feeder. The optional feeder is a 30-page, 5.5 ppm automatic document feeder. Also, if you need to scan something that doesn't fit under the document cover, the 1640SU allows you to self-adjust the cover. For example, if you need to scan thick documents like a photo album, you simply place the document on the document table glass without having to remove the cover.
The optical resolution of this scanner is 1,600 dpi, while hardware resolution is 1,600 x 2,300 dpi maximum with Micro Step Drive technology. This scanner also offers a true 42-bit color depth.A premium software bundle includes ArcSoft Panorama Maker, Adobe Photoshop, PhotoDeluxe, and Epson TWAIN scanning software.
Also, an optional 4-by-5-inch transparency unit is available for this scanner. With it you can scan positive and negative transparent materials such 35mm slides and filmstrips.
The Epson 1640SU scanner weighs 9.91 pounds and measures 11.4 by 17.4 by 3.78 inches.This product comes with a one-year limited warranty in the United States and Canada. --Linda Anderson

Click here for more information about Epson Perfection 1640SU Photo Scanner

Read More...

Epson Perfection 1250 Photo Flatbed Scanner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)With all the hype about the image quality of Epson scanners, I was disappointed by the lack of quality that came from the one I just got. In short, there's dust under the glass, inside the scanner where it's unreachable, that I can see with the visible eye, and that is magnified in scanned images. Image quality would be excellent except there's dust specks all over the place on the images. Since consumers have complained of a similar dust problem with previous Epson scanners, I thought the company would fix it with this new model, but they didn't. In fact, quality control doesn't seem to have improved--there's even a fingerprint on the underside of the glass. I'm returning this one and getting a Cannon or HP instead.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Epson Perfection 1250 Photo Flatbed Scanner

With outstanding precision and a small footprint, the Epson Perfection 1250 Photo provides excellent value for the serious imaging hobbyist. Connecting to both Macintosh and PC systems via a USB hub, setup takes just a few moments, so you'll be loading those photos on the Web in no time. Plus, the 1250 Photo comes with a 35mm slide adapter, so it makes a great accessory for your digital darkroom.
Four one-touch buttons allow you to quickly copy, scan, print, or e-mail your images. The rich 48-bit color and high 1,200 x 2,400 dpi resolution that are usually found in higher-end scanners keep your photos, negatives, and slides looking their best.
The built-in zoom feature provides a range of 50 to 200 percent, supplying plenty of options for enlarging or cropping your final prints. A cold cathode ray lamp is used as the light source, a powerful and economical choice that combines plenty of light with long-lasting efficiency. Maximum scan size is 8.5 x 11 inches, large enough for office documents as well as your family photos.
Included in the box are the slide adapter and a USB cable and a software bundle that includes Epson TWAIN and several image editing and processing programs. Epson provides a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor.

Click here for more information about Epson Perfection 1250 Photo Flatbed Scanner

Read More...

Microtek ScanMaker i320 High-Resolution Flatbed Scanner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a long-time user of Microtek scanners, and have generally found that even their low end products are reliable and deliver great results.
The i320 installed and worked without a hitch when attached to a new Athlon-based PC running Windows XP Home Edition, and I immediately started testing it using a high quality 8x10 photograph. One issue I encountered right off is that the quality of scans was inferior to that of my previous scanner, a Microtek 3600. After working with the i320 for a while, I discovered what I think is the reason. This model, like most current scanners, has a very high hardware resolution - 3200dpi. My older scanner has a hardware resolution of 600dpi. One frequently overlooked fact about this increased resolution is that the much smaller size of today's sensors makes them a lot more vulnerable to optical noise, which degrades image quality. (And by the way, that higher resolution is of no value when scanning photographs, since most photo detail can be resolved at 300dpi.)
I found that I was able to get the scanner to behave more like a 600dpi model by using the Descreen option in the ScanWizard software. (Try setting it between 100 and 200lpi). This cleaned up the noise dramatically, and I was happy.
What I was not so happy about is the Digital ICE feature. This is a proven technology that has been employed in high end film scanners with great success. I don't know how successfully it's been used in flatbed scanners, but my tests with the i320 were not impressive. I tried numerous variations of scan resolution and ICE settings on some old photos, both color and B&W. In no case did the ICE function ever clean up even one speck of dust or debris on any of my photos. It did help a bit in correcting physical damage such as wrinkles or tears, but I frankly have very few photos in such bad condition.
Aside from the extra cost in dollars that the ICE function adds to the scanner, it also costs a lot in time. Scans with ICE enabled are sloooooow! You'll have to wait several minutes while the scanner does nothing at all except display a message about warming up. This happens with each and every scan - how warm does it need to be? Unless you have a shoebox full of mangled photos, I can't see this implementation of Digital ICE being worthwhile.
Another minor disappointment was the ColoRescue feature. This is supposed to restore proper colors to faded photos, but in my tests it usually produced silly, garish results. I found it preferable to scan without it and fix the colors in Photoshop.
Bottom line - this is a perfectly fine scanner. However, it probably won't produce great results with the default settings. You'll have to explore the intricacies of the ScanWizard software (which, by the way, is one of the best scanner control programs out there and is the main reason why I continue to buy Microtek stuff). And it won't clean up dust and debris on photos. Consider saving a few bucks by getting the Microtek 6000 without Digital ICE, or instead spend more on one of the higher end models where the ICE function might really work!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microtek ScanMaker i320 High-Resolution Flatbed Scanner

Microtek's ScanMaker i320 builds on the popular ScanMaker i300, offering exclusivePictuRescue photo reconstruction and restoration software, 6,400 x 3,200 dpiresolution, and true 48-bit color. USB 2.0 connectivity and seven Smart-Touchbuttons (plus a convenient Power button) on the front panel make setup a snapand operation simple.

Click here for more information about Microtek ScanMaker i320 High-Resolution Flatbed Scanner

Read More...

Canon CanoScan FS2710 Film Scanner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have used the FS2710 for over a year and find it to be the best for the money IMHO. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is the 3.2 Dymanic Range. I have used the scanner to scan litterally hundreds of slides, both mounted and in strips, without any problems what-so-ever. The scanner was simple to install, the software works flawlessly. All of my images on my site were made with this scanner. Instead of just taking someones word for it, look and judge for yourself.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon CanoScan FS2710 Film Scanner

Canon has assembled a digital film scanner designed to be the essential accessory for the digital photographer. The CanoScan FS2710 can scan slides or negatives, color or black and white, 35mm or APS film, and convert them into convenient digital files. It is also ideal for enlargements, Web pages, newsletters, and business documents. Compatible with both PC and Macintosh, this scanner produces sharp scans with high optical resolution and natural color reproduction at fast scanning speeds, meeting the requirements of photography enthusiasts and small office users.
Quality output is paramount to the design of the compact CanoScan FS2710. Scan 35mm film strips or slides, with 2,700 dpi optical resolution and 12-bit RGB input and output, at speeds of up to 13 seconds, with a 3.2 dynamic range. Advanced Photo System film can be scanned at a quick 10 seconds per frame. Other advantages of the CanoScan FS2710 include quiet operation and the semitransparent dust cover, which protects the unit when it is not in use so you'll waste less time working on defective images.
The FS2710 comes with important accessories, including a SCSI adapter and cable and a software bundle for both Mac and PC. The Windows and Macintosh software bundles each have Adobe Photoshop LE, CanoCraft FS, Presto! PhotoAlbum, plus full support from Canon. --Barbara Price

Click here for more information about Canon CanoScan FS2710 Film Scanner

Read More...

Epson Perfection v600 Photo Color Scanner (B11B198011) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did quite a bit of research before buying this unit, so I had a pretty good idea what I was getting into. Of course, there were some concerns about software, etc., but I went in with an open mind.
First, this unit does a superb job of scanning both slides and film, so that part worked out very well. At first, I scanned at 4800 dpi, but after a bit, realized that 3600 dpi was more than enough resolution for most pictures. People have said that the carrier is flimsy, but it wasn't a problem. Tip -- when scanning a lot of slides, tape the left and bottom sides of the carrier to the scanner chassis (not the glass). You can quickly drop slides into the slots and later remove them, without the carrier shifting.
A lot of people were put off by the Epson software, and suggested Vuescan. I demo'd Vuescan, and wasn't impressed. Why spend a bunch of time modifying the image before the scan, when it is so much easier to make adjustments later in Photoshop 7 (supplied with the scanner)? All I really want to do when scanning is to get a decent version of the image, minimizing clipping, etc., without investing a lot of time. I also like the way Epson auto-cropped the pictures for me.
After some frustration, I hit on method for using the Epson software effectively:
1) Don't use "Unsharp mask" when scanning. Use Photoshop's version later.
2) Select all the pictures and apply "Auto Exposure". This fixes the colors, but does a lot of high and low clipping.
3) The images will now look much more like real pictures, but need a bit of work.
4) Select a pic and zoom it. Select "Histogram Adjustment". See the top graph? Note that the left and right sliders are too far in toward the middle, so information is being clipped.
5) Before making any changes to the sliders, look at the middle graph. It will usually have a bit of a dip (tending toward the bottom right). Remember what it looks like.
6) Now, go to the top graph, and move the top and bottom sliders out, until they are just outside the black area. You have now eliminated the clipping, but your now picture looks terrible. Note that the curve in the middle graph has dipped way to the bottom-right.
7) Move the center slider to the left, while looking at the curve in the middle graph. Remember how it used to look? Try to make the curve look like it used to, with the same little dip toward the bottom-right.
That's it! Go to the next image and do the same thing. Once you get the hang of it, each picture takes about 5 seconds.
The nice thing about this technique is that you don't even have to look at the picture while you're doing it. Guard against a tendency to make a dark picture too bright by overdoing the correction. Remember, you're better off fixing the image in Photoshop. Meanwhile, you've got an picture that's viewable now, and that still has all the information you'll need to make it a great picture later.
Once I figured this out, and unleashed the V600 to do its thing, the rest is history....


Click Here to see more reviews about: Epson Perfection v600 Photo Color Scanner (B11B198011)

EPSON PERFECTIONV600 PHOTO COLOR SCANNER

Click here for more information about Epson Perfection v600 Photo Color Scanner (B11B198011)

Read More...