EPSON Perfection 1200S scanner + FREE transparency/film light hood $99

[Pennstate]

Refurbished at epson.com

The 1200s is better than the 1250s/u. If you don't need the resolution of the 1650 (~200 w/o light hood). This is a steal.

 

[DaviDaVinci]

I saw it a while ago when i purchased the 8^3 printer but passed, because I didn't think that it could scan 35mm film negatives. I read some reviews just now and it seems like you can. I'm still not positive. Can someone verify whether or not you can scan film negatives with the transparency adapter? If so, how's the quality?

 

[Jerry]

No, there is insufficient resolution to even scan slides, let alone negatives. This scanner probably has, at max a 1200 DPI optical resolution. Note:

http://www.image-acquire.com/scanner/html/epp1200s.shtml

If one wishes to scan 4x5 slides, 1200 becomes feasible. But 35mm will not really work with a DPI resolution as low as 1200. A typical $350 FILM scanner plus Vuescan software for $40:

http://www.hamrick.com/

is the best way to go.

With, for example the Minolta Scan Dual, you can get 2880 DPI and with Vuescan the actual practical DPI is actually much higher. Then you would not be frustrated at the poor quality of the scans when it comes time to print them.

best, Jerry

 

[bambam]

Ok I presume the same about not enough resolution for slides and ngatives applies to the dual purpose Canon scanner mention in a another thread a few days ago. Any suggestions ( hotdealwise of course ) on scanners which would be better for 35 mm slides and negs ? - thanks

 

[Gandalf]

<< No, there is insufficient resolution to even scan slides, let alone negatives. This scanner probably has, at max a 1200 DPI optical resolution. Note:http://www.image-acquire.com/scanner/html/epp1200s.shtmlIf one wishes to scan 4x5 slides, 1200 becomes feasible. But 35mm will not really work with a DPI resolution as low as 1200. >>



You are right that this scanner (and any flatbed scanner with transparency adapter) is inadequate for slide/film scanning. But the reasons you give are totally wrong.

The resolution is just as adequate for both formats. The only impact the resolution has is on the size of the enlargements you can make. Considering you never print at more than 300dpi, 1200 dpi scanning resolution will give you enough to print a very good 4x6 out of both a slide and a negative (approx. a 4 times enlargement).

The REAL problem with these scanners is the lack of dynamic range. And this is where SLIDES will suffer much more than film!! The lack of dynamic range will be seen in the lack of details in shadowed areas. On film, this translates into the lighted areas which, anyway, don't contain as much detail to begin with. I have a flatbed scanner which is largely inadequate for slide scanning, but is almost decent for film. Of course, provided I am not trying to print more than 4x6.

A very good place for anyone interested in understanding the basics (but also some of the more advanced aspects) of scanning (film/slide especially) is www.scantips.com

Unfortunately film/slide scanners don't come cheap...

 

[Jerry]

This is true. At 4x6 you could get by with a flatbed at 1200 dpi and would have loss of dynamic range.

However, it never dawned on me that one would be interested or willing to limit oneself to 4x6 prints.

To me, the whole idea of scanning is to then have the opportunity to enhance the image with a photo enhancement pgm (such as photoshop) and print out a decent viewable size print.

Otherwise, unless one is only intending to post small image files on web sites and ebay, Costco has very good prices on 4x6 prints from negatives, particularly at the time of processing. Roughly 3 bucks a roll.

 

[Rally1]

This this is SCSI (with which I have no experience).

but my buddy need a fast scanner for his artwork.

he has a Mac, did any one endup getting one, and if so do you like it?