Re: ScanROM 4E

[P3D John Ohrt <johrt@xxxxxxx>]

P3D Erlys wrote:

> I have been reading all your posts about dye subs and high quality
> printing, so I realize I tested this machine only for my own use.  It
> may be okay at higher resolutions in the hands of an expert, I don't
> know.  All I know is, I'm sending it back.

You chose wisely!


Optical resolution:  Salespersons don't like to talk about it because it
is the most critical factor in determining your scan quality. 
Salespersons like to quote the software resolution with numbers like
4800x4800 or 9600x9600.

First, any decent photo imaging package ( even some $50 ones!), will do
a as good or better job than the software in your scanner package and
will do it for totally arbitrary resolutions (like 873x452 dpi).

Secondly, if the optical resolution is not published on the info sheet,
you can be almost certain you are about to make a poor cost-effective
purchase.

Finally, if the saleperson doesn't know what optical resolution is, do
you really want to buy a scanner from them?

I asked Arc what the optical resolution was over a week ago.  I was
assured that I would be called right back.  I'm still waiting.  I expect
to here something like 400x400 dpi.

Anybody know the answer?

In an ideal world, your scanner needs twice the resolution of your
printer.  So if you have an inkjet which requires 4 dots to compose a
pixel, you divide the inkjets resolution by 2 in each dimension (ie
720x720 dpi -> 360x360 pixels per inch and then double each dimension to
get the minimum scanner resolution, 720x720 pixels per inch).  If you
have a dyesub printer, 1 dot -> 1 pixel, so if you have a 300x300 dpi
dyesub, ideally you want a 600x600 pixel per inch scanner.

The Fotofun at 203x203 dpi is well matched by any 400x400 dpi 4x6
scanner.

Inexpensive scanners are usually slow.  But technical manuals that are
inadequate to allow a novice to use the equipment an achieve reasonable
results are unforgivable.  There are some 4x6 scanners out there with
pretty good software and ease of use.  Just read the reviews.

For what it is worth, Mustek MFS-12000CX closed out just over $500 US. 
That is an 8.5 x 14 flatbed with a transparency adapter with an optical
resolution of 600x1200 pixels per inch and aids for scanning most
standard negative and print sizes.  The software is basic but it works
and Mustek still supports it including 32 bit drivers for Twain32
released this year for win31 and win95.

You can purchase such scanners used for well under $500.  It does have a
big footprint though :-)

Good hunting!

Regards,
John
--
John Ohrt,  Regina, SK, Canada
johrt@xxxxxxx


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