Anyone using a Polaroid Sprintscan 4000?

[CameraQuest]

I find it interesting that when introduced,

it was the finest 35mm scanner available,

and in short supply at $2000.

Now they can be had on eBay in the $25-45 range.

technology indeed moves on

 

[Alpsman]

The Polarois Sprintscan is similar to the Microtek Artix 4000, both made by Microtek. I bougtht the Microtec on the spot when introduced and it is still in use beside an other filmscanner. Quality is still fantastic. Ya dont need to sharpen the scans.
The prices on ebay are a shame for this fine piece of machinery.

 

[CameraQuest]

The Polarois Sprintscan is similar to the Microtek Artix 4000, both made by Microtek. I bougtht the Microtec on the spot when introduced and it is still in use beside an other filmscanner. Quality is still fantastic. Ya dont need to sharpen the scans.
The prices on ebay are a shame for this fine piece of machinery.

What scanner software is compatible with it?

Is it compatible with current operating systems?

Any tips on use?

Is it any slower to use or scan compared to other high res scanners?

 

[Alpsman]

I'm using it on a Windows XP with an extra SCSI-Card and the "Microtek ScanWizard Pro" as Twain-Plugin via Photoshop CS2.

The biggest Problem with these "Oldtimers" is the SCSI-Port and the old Software. Therefore I still keep my XP-Computer, it is also the Scancomputer for the Nikon 9000.

And sorry, I cant tell if it is faster or slower than any other scanner, I never checked the time with a stopwatch. I'll feed the scanner, start it and do some othe work meanwhile.

 

[Markus B]

Vuescan should work but as Alpsman said the ”problem” with this old scanners is the SCSI-interface which is more or less obsolete today.

A used Sprintscan 4000 was one of the scanners I was looking for when I was about to get my first film scanner about ten years ago. However I ended up with its little brother the Sprintscan 35+ instead. I used it for a couple of years together with Vuescan before I switched to a Minolta Scan Dual III.

I'm actually having some problem with my Minolta scanner so I'm thinking of digging up some old PowerPC Mac to use with the 35+ in the meantime but I have to find the film holder first.