Not GAS, it's ESSENTIAL

[berci]

My filmscanner has broken down and I am thinking about buying a new one to scan my RF made pictures.

I don't know if I shold go for the

Scan Dual IV (£219) or

Scan Elite 5400 II (£499).

Does it worth the difference?

Any views appreciated.

Berci

PS the Canonet has now been passed to Singapore.

 

[dexdog]

Depends, in part, how you intend to use the scans. I have a KM Scan Dual IV, and find that it enable great prints out to 8 X 10, and acceptable/OK prints at larger scales. This scanner is also fine for viewing on computer screens and other miscellaneous uses. Overall, I am very impressed with the DS IV.

If you intend to make large prints, or plan to project the images, go for the higher resolution scanner, even though it costs a lot more.

 

[Kin Lau]

The biggest differences are dpi, 3200 vs 5400 and digital ICE.

If you shoot a lot of E-6 & C-41 (colour and b&w), then digital ICE will be a major time saver. If it's mainly traditional b&w, then the Scan Dual IV will be just fine.

 

[sockeyed]

I have the Scan Dual IV and it's great for B&W. I use it less for colour because I'm not so good at colour balance.

One tip for scanning B&W with this scanner: scan as a colour positive, then invert in Photoshop or whatever program you use. For some reason this gives much better results than scanning as a B&W negative

 

[dexdog]

another consideration. Digital ICE does not work with traditional B & W films- the silver compounds in the emulsion are supposed to thwart the ICE function. Still, 5400 dpi is a great scan; you just have to send additional photoshop time removing the spots, specks and dirt from your ICE-less B & W scans.

 

[sf]

A good scanner

A good scanner

What if you ever go and get an Iskra or something Medium format? Look at the Epson 4990. It scans everything, including 35mm, and it is awesome. It can even scan 4x5, and has incredible 4.0 DMAX, which is better than many dedicated scanners. And if you shoot lots of film, it can do batch scans on many frames in one batch, saving lots of time. Look at it on Ken Rockwell's website or on Newegg.com.

A dedicated 35mm scanner might be better, but not necessarily, and the 4990 can handle anything you'll throw at it.