I bet the sales of new film scanners are amazingly dismal too. ... I'm a little uncertain as to what it is you guys are hoping for that the current offerings can't do? Higher rez?
Pick up a used drum scanner. I bought a used Howtek 4500 some time ago and it's amazing even though there's been no new drum scanning technology for probably about 10 years now. There's simply no comparison for large format although having done numerous comparisons with my Minolta on both 35mm and medium format, the desktop units still do amazingly well (and given their small footprint, ease of operation etc, it's no wonder they still change hands for decent prices). Consumer flatbeds are a long way behind, no matter which way you cut it. They are cheaply made, have plastic optics and really cheap and nasty stepping motors usually with a lot of plastic linkage in the drive configuration of the motor.Hi
I don't have figures but I wonder about sales being dismal. I've been trying to buy a 9000 for a while, a few factors stymie me. Import taxes into Finland are legalised theft (and almost at extortion); shipping to here from modern developed countries is a killer in price; availablity is not high. Heck even the Minolta Dual Elite Pro is still selling for 2500 EURO used here.
I notice that Nikon 9000's sell out fairly fast at KEH and I've heard they're an order item at bhphoto.
If the HOT and stupidly stellar prices these things fetch on eBay is anything to go by (Eg LS-v now selling for more than I could buy the bloody thing for new a year ago and LS-4000's fetching US$1200 without attachments) there must be some sort of market out there. Surely it can't all be people buying them to "archive their film" and sell them again (although clearly that is a market too).
As to what would I like? well ..
- drum scanners have nice bright xenon tubes to provide light to the sensors. If you work with C-41 negative the need to get into the shadows is high (as that's where the highlights are). I'd like noise free skies.
- personally I think 35mm is more or less well catered for but larger formats (above 6x9) are not. I use 6x12 (and others are getting into 6x17) which pretty much means split scans or Epson flat beds. I also use 4x5 which restricts me more.
- more accurate movements than most Flatbeds presently do (even my Ppson has problems). Experiments have shown that they can grow a pixel or two then shrink back as they advance along their path
- software drivers which were more intelligent (perhaps offering ability to set hardware dark and light points for the film by analog adjustment of light source as well.
Absolutely - especially when it is clear that film scanners are long lasting equipment - second hand value of good scanners remain very high. When you've made such an effort to make digicams consumables, why would you spend R&D on a product which is not?It's hard to see anyone sinking R&D money into something with a limited market, when there's relatively easy money to be made selling cameras.
Pick up a used drum scanner. ...
Consumer flatbeds are a long way behind, no matter which way you cut it. ...
Sounds like your complaints are really about your goverment's import policies
If you're in any doubt as to declining film sales...
I bet the sales of new film scanners are amazingly dismal too.
I don't have figures but I wonder about sales being dismal. ... I notice that Nikon 9000's sell out fairly fast at KEH and I've heard they're an order item at bhphoto.
If the HOT and stupidly stellar prices these things fetch on eBay is anything to go by
Pick up a used drum scanner. I bought a used Howtek 4500 some time ago and it's amazing
BTW
if you don't mind a question or two on that topic (as I've also considered that option)
how is the software for it?
does it work well with negative as well as tranny? (I've heard some are rather optimised for slide)
what's spare parts like (availability as well as need)
what does it weigh?
Aztek currently support all Howtek scanners - they also make DPL software for them which I'd highly recommend. ...
I shoot plenty of color neg (I actually don't see much point to shooting slide film in larger formats when you're using a digital workflow)...
... My 4500 weighs about 150lbs.
(existing logic runs like -> I want to scan some 35mm, the Epson is OK for 4x5 (and 120 in 6x12) BUT if I was going to buy a LS-4000 for 35mm I might as well put that money into making the purchase of an LS-9000 which will do both. Perhaps this will cost less than just the 5D II. Perhaps then too I can sell my APS DSLR + 12-24 Tokina + bits make use of my existing (not long ago overhauled) 35mm EOS bodies and my favourite pair of lenses (EF24mm and EF50). I could then 'splurge' on a new digital such as the Panasonic G1 (or some other Micro 4/3'rds for a compact hike camera) and combine that with my Toho 4x5 (weighs only 1.3Kg) a roll film back and 90mm 180mm lenses (should I wish to take something sweeping and detailed)
I really do think that too little gear is a better place to be than too much. I'm yet to convince myself that it is more fun though!
but it's damn slow on 35mm compared to the LS 5000. That's the reason why I kept the LS 5000 after having purchased and tested the LS 9000. However, if 35mm is just a small share of your media, the LS 9000 will do it.
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