Scanner Upgrade?

[hjfischer]

I currently use a Canon scanner with 2710 dpi resolution and dynamic range of 3.2 to scan color slides and color negs. My enlargements are usually 11 X 14, although I'd like to go up to 13 X 18. I'm considering replacing the Canon with a Dimage Scan Dual IV with 3200 dpi resolution and dynamic range of 4.8 (about $250). Would it extract a noticeable increase in information from my scans, or would I have to get the Minolta 5400 Scan Elite 11 (about $500) to achieve a significant difference?

 

[JohnL]

I currently use a Canon scanner with 2710 dpi resolution and dynamic range of 3.2 to scan color slides and color negs. My enlargements are usually 11 X 14, although I'd like to go up to 13 X 18. I'm considering replacing the Canon with a Dimage Scan Dual IV with 3200 dpi resolution and dynamic range of 4.8 (about $250). Would it extract a noticeable increase in information from my scans, or would I have to get the Minolta 5400 Scan Elite 11 (about $500) to achieve a significant difference?

If you like I'll email you a full-size JPG scanned off Provia 100F with my DSD IV and you can compare the results. It will have been post-processed, but that is standard anyway. Send me PM if interested.
John

 

[dkapp]

Thats a good idea John. I did the same with someone else trying to decide between the two Minoltas.

Let us know what you decide.

Dave

 

[djon]

The IV will be sharper than most flatbeds (may be same as Epson 4990) though will lack Ice.

I hope you consider Nikon V (same actual optical sharpness as 5400/I and II but holds film flatter and is same speed as 5400II). I had terrible experience with two Minolta 5400II, but I understand the original 5400, though much slower, was, like Nikon, still made by decent human beings. 😉

My goal for every pictorial (as opposed to portrait etc) image is to print it 13X19 (12X18). Nikon V and Epson 2200 are INCREDIBLY effective for this in color and in B&W...I use Vuescan for B&W...Vuescan offers option of very light Infared, as well as two higher levels but I've never needed those higher levels.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I can't speak to how good the Minolta 5400 II is but I have the original version and it is just great. A neg scanned at 5400 will give you a large file that you could have printed at 300 dpi to 16 X24 inches. As far as the scanner being slow, I was just reading a test of the new Epson 4990 as I was interested in being able to scan med format and found scan times with ICE on very similar to what I experience with the 5400 with ICE on. After reading that review I would stick to a dedicated film scanner if you want to do 35mm only. Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[JohnL]

If you like I'll email you a full-size JPG scanned off Provia 100F with my DSD IV and you can compare the results. It will have been post-processed, but that is standard anyway. Send me PM if interested.
John

What I actually did is post it here . This is the full-size image, and it may take a little while to load.
To see the whole picture first, click here , then if you want to see all the gory details, click on "original".

John