Nice bright colors...

[John Spragens]

Just had a big Whoop! moment.

Through a strange set of connections, I found myself on the Konica Minolta support site
<http://www.konicaminoltasupport.com/Software.4379.0.html?&L=0>
where they have software for the Dimage Scan Multi for OS X up through 10.4. Decided I might as well try it, just to see ... and ... it works just fine on Snow Leopard!

[terrie]

john: Decided I might as well try it, just to see ... and ... it works just fine on Snow Leopard!

I hope it does...keep me posted...

It's very funny that you should have posted today because after our discussion of the Plustek scanners, I just couldn't resist going to ebay to see what they might be going for--along with those lovely Nikon scanners of which there are very, very few on ebay and they are in the $1500 range!

I found an OpticFilm 7200 being offered very reasonably but it didn't have a power cord. The seller said they were available on ebay but the only one I found was $36!!! which was ridiculous as I discovered that Plustek sells them for $15.

At any rate once I found that I could order the power adapter, I emailed the seller to see if he'd take less than the $80 he wanted and we settled on $50 (plus shipping) so I bought it...'-}}

I was able to find the power adapter for $7.99 (free shipping from Hong Kong!) and it arrived today so with some trepidation I plugged everything in and after updating my Vuescan software (best damned $40 I ever spent in 2002!) I did some test scans and everything worked just fine.

I'm really excited at being able to scan at 7200ppi--vs. the 2820 for the Elite II. I haven't done anything but take a very quick look at the test scans but will be working with them in more detail tomorrow...

I'm rather pleased that the entire deal was less than $75. I figure I might be able to sell my Elite II for at least $50--maybe a bit more...need to check the going rate--and if so, then I got a new scanner for $25...'-}}

Terrie

[John Spragens]

Vuescan is a great resource. I was pleased to find that the ancient license I'd paid for on Windows was also good on a modern Mac.

But when I use Vuescan to drive the Dimage, it makes more noise than it does when the Minolta software is in control. And besides, I like (or maybe am just used to) the Minolta interface.

Am nearing the end if the initial scanning for a set of ... well, not sure how many I'll have when I'm done, but I'm at about 450 pix now. The Minolta software is hanging in with no complaints.

Will be interested to hear how you and the Plustek get along and what you think of a side-by-side comparison of scans of the same shot with that and your Minolta.

[terrie]

john: Vuescan is a great resource. I was pleased to find that the ancient license I'd paid for on Windows was also good on a modern Mac.

That's great. I was surprised a few years ago when I contacted Ed about updating my version of Vuescan that I'd paid for the professional version so all of my updates have always been free. It's a really nifty piece of software and finally there is a book coming out on it! The VueScan Bible--due in April.


>>But when I use Vuescan to drive the Dimage, it makes more noise than it does when the Minolta software is in control. And besides, I like (or maybe am just used to) the Minolta interface.

I never really used the Minolta drivers but I always had to start the Minolta driver after turning on my Elite II or it would never complete the process of turning itself on and then I opened VueScan. Do you have to do that too? At first I thought my Elite II was broken but others told me they had to do the same thing.


>>Am nearing the end if the initial scanning for a set of ... well, not sure how many I'll have when I'm done, but I'm at about 450 pix now. The Minolta software is hanging in with no complaints.

Glad to hear that...I've still got all my China slides to scan but haven't gotten back into scan mode yet...'-}}


>>Will be interested to hear how you and the Plustek get along and what you think of a side-by-side comparison of scans of the same shot with that and your Minolta.

I've done just a very quick comparison and while the Plustek is not as sophisticated as the Minolta--only does 35mm, you have to manually move the slide carrier--and the case is lightweight compared to the Minolta, I think the optics are comparable to the Minolta so I think it's a keeper for me...

I hope to do more test scanning in a couple of weeks so I'll let you know what happens...

Terrie

[John Spragens]

Originally Posted by terrie

I always had to start the Minolta driver after turning on my Elite II or it would never complete the process of turning itself on

You mean the Minolta scanning software? Drivers should just start behind the scenes when the operating system starts. But no, I never noticed anything like that.

Originally Posted by terrie

I think the optics are comparable to the Minolta so I think it's a keeper for me...

Good to hear. Let me know how things go as you get more experience with it. Just noticed today that the Nikon scanners all seem to be discontinued. So the Plustek seems to be top of the heap now, unless you can afford a Hasselblad/Imacon or a drum scanner.

[terrie]

john: You mean the Minolta scanning software?

Yes...that's what I meant...


>>But no, I never noticed anything like that.

I wonder if it is/was a peculiarity of the Elite II as someone else told me they had the same problem with their Elite II...


>>Good to hear. Let me know how things go as you get more experience with it.

Will do...


>>Just noticed today that the Nikon scanners all seem to be discontinued.

I wasn't sure but I thought that was the case. I went to Nikon's website and couldn't find film scanners but I wasn't sure if I just didn't look hard enough...there are some at ebay--not many--and they are pricey...


>>So the Plustek seems to be top of the heap now, unless you can afford a Hasselblad/Imacon or a drum scanner.

Is Imacon still making them?

Terrie

[John Spragens]

Hasselblad bought Imacon a while back, and their scanners are still available at B&H. For a price!

[terrie]

john: Hasselblad bought Imacon a while back, and their scanners are still available at B&H. For a price!

I didn't know that...Imacons have always been very pricey...I remember many eons ago, stumbling across a notice in the paper that there was going to be an Imacon demo at a local hotel that afternoon so I snuck out of work and went over and they let me in when I told the bald face lie that I was considering buying one...'-}}

I got Bruce Fraser's Real World Photoshop as a nifty gifty for attending...'-}}

Terrie

[John Spragens]

Nice way to get the book!

A friend of mine had an Imacon for a while and shared some scans. Super nice detail in shadows and highlights, and really sharp scans across the whole image.

[terrie]

john: Super nice detail in shadows and highlights, and really sharp scans across the whole image.

I can just imagine...my impression has always been that Imacon scans were the best you could get...

Terrie