Expert: Paul Hill Date: 8/7/2006 Subject: scanners
Question Hi Paul:
I have used four different scanners for scanning 35 mm slides. My own HP 4800 flatbed, and three borrowed units: a higher level (at least much more $$$) Epson flatbed, a Nikon coolscan, and an older Polaroid SprintScan (that looked like the Sprintscan 4000, but may not have been). I know I cannot expect cheap scanner to give high quality, but I did find that the two flatbeds seemed to give scans that were less focused. Is this typical of all flatbeds with slide attachments, or something that can be adjusted? REsolution setting doesn't seem to matter. The much pricier Epson was no sharper than my HP.
The Nikon Coolscan was obviously excellent (tho a problem with Kodachrome color), but is now on the fritz. Awkward to get to the Polaroid, so I am considering an ebay purchase (but on limited budget.) Do you know anything about Polaroid Sprintscan 2700? Would it be comparable to the Sprintscan 4000, or would the 2700 only be about like my flatbed experience?
thanks
rick
Answer The 2700 will be similar to a flatbed scanner. You will not find a flatbed that will produce good scans on slides (or film), Stick with a Nikon coolscan (or equivilent) if possible, it will be worth the extra money in results.
Be careful on what you buy on ebay, there is alot of older SCSI equipment out there that has seen a better day.
