Re: [photo-3d] Scanning slides

["Dan Shelley" <dshelley@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>The scans do look excellent.

I think so. =)

>Do you think there's something special about
>the ScanMaker X6, or was it the fact that these slides are back-lit?

I know it's something special about this particular scanner. I did a good 
bit of research on what makes a slide scanner special and there is a 
particular variable that is important to slide scanning accuracy (keeping 
them from being muddy/dark). I can look that up again if you need it, but as 
I recall it took a good bit of research to find it the fist time.

Anyway, that number (let's say 5 for an example) was met by $1,800+ scanners 
at the time. This one scanner hit like a 4.5 on that scale while most hit in 
at about 2. In this example, 2 would be "muddy" at best in scanning slide 
detail. I was thrilled to find a scanner with specs at the good detail end 
of the spectrum for such a low price. Again, I don't remember the specific 
detail name, but it was a key factor in determining if a pgiven sacnner 
could or couldn't handle slide scanning well. I believe I picked that info 
up from one of the "scanning hints" web sites.

>Does the X6 shut off the front light when the lid is on?

Yes. See below.

>I'm wondering if similar results could be obtained by putting a small light 
>box inverted on top of the slide.

Ron Labbe and I discussed that at one point, and he sent me a VM reel scan 
he did that way. Although this is possible on some scanners, the quality is 
not as good IMHO. The real problem is that you can't turn off the "inside" 
light while attempting to scan the slides using the back light, so you have 
light from both sides which limits quality in and of itself.

Have I helped, or made more questions come up?

Dan

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