Digital Film scanners - reviews and recommendations

25th May 2003

hi guyz and gals...

am new to fotography. but me and another friend of mine are luking to buy a digital film scanner. budgetary considerations are arnd the 1000 dollar mark. luking for info like reviews ands tuff... any recommendation u guyz can make? alsow at are the criteria for evaluating the scanner? my setup is canon, whereas my friends is nikon based.....

Adam Goi · 25th May 2003

If you are willing increase your budget, you may want to consider Nikon Coolscan IV ED ... it should still be retailing at about $1100.

25th May 2003

realized this is a wrong froum for this posting. how to delete this???

Adam Goi · 25th May 2003

I also just realised that.

Thread moved to Printers and Scanners.

25th May 2003

hi guyz and gals...

am new to fotography. but me and another friend of mine are luking to buy a digital film scanner. budgetary considerations are arnd the 1000 dollar mark. luking for info like reviews ands tuff... any recommendation u guyz can make? alsow at are the criteria for evaluating the scanner? my setup is canon, whereas my friends is nikon based.....

mpenza · 25th May 2003

you lack a minolta to complete the line-up. Minolta Dimage Dual Scan III is a popular model that delivers good performance at a low cost (~$560). It lacks the "dust removal" feature of the higher end scanners though.

jtnet · 19th June 2003

Hi there!

I also need help to purchase a film scanner. Totally new without knowledge in this area. Hve not set aside any budget. but not quite prepare to pay a high price tag.

Is there any suggestion or things that I should keep a lookout for. Does higher DPI necessary means better scan.

Nikon coolscan IV has 2900dpi (variable) , 12 bit A/D. while coolscan4000ed has 4000dpi(variable) , 14bit A/D support.
{what does this variable & A/D mean?} How does it affect the scan.

Has any one uses any of the above or other, care to share?

Thanx!!!

yulee · 27th June 2003

There's a new one from Pacific Image - PF3650PRO3

Interestings specs:

Primefilm 3650 PRO3

With Digital ICE for dust & scratch removal
With Digital ROC for color reconstruction
With Digital GEM for grain equalization and management
Optical resolution 3600 x 3600 dpi
Automatically loads and scans 35mm roll films and film strips (Negatives & Positives)
Able to scan slides
16-bits A/D, 16-/8-bits output
Superb color and image quality
Auto focus for the sharpest images
IEEE 1394 & USB 2.0 interface

ianphua · 28th June 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by yulee
There's a new one from Pacific Image - PF3650PRO3

Interestings specs:

Primefilm 3650 PRO3

With Digital ICE for dust & scratch removal
With Digital ROC for color reconstruction
With Digital GEM for grain equalization and management
Optical resolution 3600 x 3600 dpi
Automatically loads and scans 35mm roll films and film strips (Negatives & Positives)
Able to scan slides
16-bits A/D, 16-/8-bits output
Superb color and image quality
Auto focus for the sharpest images
IEEE 1394 & USB 2.0 interface

How much ah?

yulee · 28th June 2003

Primefilm 3600 PRO

(Save up to $236 and Free Delivery within S'pore)
Note: Ex- stock subject to prior sales

Primefilm 3650 PRO3

(Save up to $99 and Free Delivery within S'pore)
Note: Stock availability is 2 weeks upon confirmed order

Primefilm 1800 AFL

(Save up to $80 and Free Delivery within S'pore)
Note: Ex- stock subject to prior sales

You can check it out at their website

ps. I suggested to ktan26 (he's the guy selling the scanner) maybe to orgainse a Mass Order - anybody interested?

teowws · 30th June 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by jtnet
Hi there!

I also need help to purchase a film scanner. Totally new without knowledge in this area. Hve not set aside any budget. but not quite prepare to pay a high price tag.

Is there any suggestion or things that I should keep a lookout for. Does higher DPI necessary means better scan.

Nikon coolscan IV has 2900dpi (variable) , 12 bit A/D. while coolscan4000ed has 4000dpi(variable) , 14bit A/D support.
{what does this variable & A/D mean?} How does it affect the scan.

Has any one uses any of the above or other, care to share?

Thanx!!!

Got the coolscan 4000ed, being using it for more than a year, pretty neat dust and scratch removal feature, really clean up your image, i always get slight scratches and tiny specks on my developed film right out of the lab

, this scanner really helps, of course price is a factor, better don't buy this scanner if u intend to move to digital soon. For review can try steve digicam review site.

Steve Digicam

charvy · 2nd July 2003

Hi all,

Just like to know what's the significant differences b/w a flatbed film scanner (with cartridge) and a dedicated film scanner beside the price?

Am asking on behalf of my colleague and I'm ignorant abt scanners.. any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

hoppinghippo · 12th July 2003

Hi I'm new to film scanners and would like to buy one, can anyone explain what's important to note when choosing a scanner?

slacker · 14th July 2003

was wondering. none of the above mentioned scanner can take in medium format film.... can anyone tell me which model/brand have the scanner for medium format? kind of interested. best if it works well with mac. Thanks all!

FND · 14th July 2003

What about Canon FS4000? Are they good?

-FND->

jtnet · 14th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by FND
What about Canon FS4000? Are they good?

-FND->

u can try this scanner out at funan show room. but as far as i note, it's not as interesting as nikon or minolta ( still trying to find out more)

however, it does has a veri attractive price range.

edwgoh · 14th July 2003

Did anyone got this scanner? Primefilm 3650 PRO3

jtnet · 14th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by slacker
was wondering. none of the above mentioned scanner can take in medium format film.... can anyone tell me which model/brand have the scanner for medium format? kind of interested. best if it works well with mac. Thanks all!

Nikon coolscan 8000ed
work well with mac? not sure though!

slacker · 15th July 2003

thanks. but too much to pay liao. managed to get a good enough scanner. flatbed though but the spec seems good. may go to their showroom n test drive 1 . Canonscan 9900F. 700 bucks with some changes left.

Kin · 22nd July 2003

How is the performance of this 9900F?

25th May 2003	#1
Th3G4mbl3r Guests Posts: n/a	Digital Film Scanners - Recommendations and How to buy? hi guyz and gals... am new to fotography. but me and another friend of mine are luking to buy a digital film scanner. budgetary considerations are arnd the 1000 dollar mark. luking for info like reviews ands tuff... any recommendation u guyz can make? alsow at are the criteria for evaluating the scanner? my setup is canon, whereas my friends is nikon based.....

25th May 2003	#4
Adam Goi ClubSNAP Idol Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Jalan Suka Posts: 5,321	I also just realised that. Thread moved to Printers and Scanners. Last edited by Adam Goi; 25th May 2003 at 08:56 PM.

25th May 2003	#5
Th3G4mbl3r Guests Posts: n/a	Digital Film scanners - reviews and recommendations hi guyz and gals... am new to fotography. but me and another friend of mine are luking to buy a digital film scanner. budgetary considerations are arnd the 1000 dollar mark. luking for info like reviews ands tuff... any recommendation u guyz can make? alsow at are the criteria for evaluating the scanner? my setup is canon, whereas my friends is nikon based.....

19th June 2003	#7
jtnet Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 220	Hi there! I also need help to purchase a film scanner. Totally new without knowledge in this area. Hve not set aside any budget. but not quite prepare to pay a high price tag. Is there any suggestion or things that I should keep a lookout for. Does higher DPI necessary means better scan. Nikon coolscan IV has 2900dpi (variable) , 12 bit A/D. while coolscan4000ed has 4000dpi(variable) , 14bit A/D support. {what does this variable & A/D mean?} How does it affect the scan. Has any one uses any of the above or other, care to share? Thanx!!! Last edited by jtnet; 23rd June 2003 at 10:59 PM.

28th June 2003	#10
yulee Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 446	Primefilm 3600 PRO (Save up to $236 and Free Delivery within S'pore) Note: Ex- stock subject to prior sales Primefilm 3650 PRO3 (Save up to $99 and Free Delivery within S'pore) Note: Stock availability is 2 weeks upon confirmed order Primefilm 1800 AFL (Save up to $80 and Free Delivery within S'pore) Note: Ex- stock subject to prior sales You can check it out at their website ps. I suggested to ktan26 (he's the guy selling the scanner) maybe to orgainse a Mass Order - anybody interested? Last edited by yulee; 28th June 2003 at 09:31 AM.

25th May 2003	#6
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	you lack a minolta to complete the line-up. Minolta Dimage Dual Scan III is a popular model that delivers good performance at a low cost (~$560). It lacks the "dust removal" feature of the higher end scanners though.

27th June 2003	#8
yulee Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 446	There's a new one from Pacific Image - PF3650PRO3 Interestings specs: Primefilm 3650 PRO3 With Digital ICE for dust & scratch removal With Digital ROC for color reconstruction With Digital GEM for grain equalization and management Optical resolution 3600 x 3600 dpi Automatically loads and scans 35mm roll films and film strips (Negatives & Positives) Able to scan slides 16-bits A/D, 16-/8-bits output Superb color and image quality Auto focus for the sharpest images IEEE 1394 & USB 2.0 interface

2nd July 2003	#12
charvy Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: SG Posts: 770	Hi all, Just like to know what's the significant differences b/w a flatbed film scanner (with cartridge) and a dedicated film scanner beside the price? Am asking on behalf of my colleague and I'm ignorant abt scanners.. any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

12th July 2003	#13
hoppinghippo Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 559	Hi I'm new to film scanners and would like to buy one, can anyone explain what's important to note when choosing a scanner?

14th July 2003	#14
slacker Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SG Posts: 640	was wondering. none of the above mentioned scanner can take in medium format film.... can anyone tell me which model/brand have the scanner for medium format? kind of interested. best if it works well with mac. Thanks all!

14th July 2003	#15
FND Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Somewhere near Equator Posts: 190	What about Canon FS4000? Are they good? -FND->

14th July 2003	#17
edwgoh Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 221	Did anyone got this scanner? Primefilm 3650 PRO3

15th July 2003	#19
slacker Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SG Posts: 640	thanks. but too much to pay liao. managed to get a good enough scanner. flatbed though but the spec seems good. may go to their showroom n test drive 1 . Canonscan 9900F. 700 bucks with some changes left.

22nd July 2003	#20
Kin Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 277	How is the performance of this 9900F?