scanner purchase

[sosider]

How best to sort through my options in buying a new scanner? I'm not a
professional graphics arts pro but would like something which would
allow me to scan items for my video editting activities and the like.
I've got some 1-2,000 old slides which are also candidates but don't
think I'll ever get around to scanning all of them. Someone advised me
to use a slide duplicator attached to my video camera instead of
scanning, but I can't find a way to couple my old Canon bellows, macro
lens, and slide duplicator without going to the expense of buying a new
video camera with interchangeable lenses. So this leaves me with the
option of buying a stand alone scanner.

Am I right in thinking that a firewire connected scanner will cut the
time to scan big time? If so how much time would be saved over a USB
model? And would there be any scanners under the $200 range which
would be decent and have a firewire connection?

How about Digital Ice? While everything available would be nice, is
this software/hardware worth it's price for my uses? I'm guessing that
I'll only be able to get this feature on more expensive scanners.

Now, how about the relative merits of the various brands. In the
reviews I've read, it seems that some are too red, some too green, some
not as sharp as others, etc. In order to sort through all of this are
there any good comparitive sites for me to visit without running into
the ad money from producers?

 

[Per Larsen]

How best to sort through my options in buying a new scanner? I'm not a
professional graphics arts pro but would like something which would
allow me to scan items for my video editting activities and the like.
I've got some 1-2,000 old slides which are also candidates but don't
think I'll ever get around to scanning all of them. Someone advised me
to use a slide duplicator attached to my video camera instead of
scanning, but I can't find a way to couple my old Canon bellows, macro
lens, and slide duplicator without going to the expense of buying a new
video camera with interchangeable lenses. So this leaves me with the
option of buying a stand alone scanner.

Am I right in thinking that a firewire connected scanner will cut the
time to scan big time? If so how much time would be saved over a USB
model? And would there be any scanners under the $200 range which
would be decent and have a firewire connection?

How about Digital Ice? While everything available would be nice, is
this software/hardware worth it's price for my uses? I'm guessing that
I'll only be able to get this feature on more expensive scanners.

Now, how about the relative merits of the various brands. In the
reviews I've read, it seems that some are too red, some too green, some
not as sharp as others, etc. In order to sort through all of this are
there any good comparitive sites for me to visit without running into
the ad money from producers?

I bought a CanoScan 5200F flatbed scanner last September and scanned about 6000 slides and negatives (bw and colour) during two months, scanning nearly every afternoon and evening. The scanner is connected over USB, and I don't think Firewire would cut the scanning time. Seems like it is the scanning that takes its time, not the transfer to the computer, not to mention the time to adjust settings for the complicated cases (dark or light originals).

I have to admit I'm not as satisfied with the scanning results (i.e. film scanning, scanning prints gives OK results) as I hoped to be from reading some tests before the investment (about USD 200 [NOK 1700] at that time), but I have no opinion on that scanner compared to others at comparable prices.

Regards
PerL

 

[jiml]

A couple of us just bought the Canoscan 8400F. It comes with
several software programs so you are not limited on what you can do
with your slides once scanned. At least 2 of them have dust and
scratch removal capabilities if that concerns you.

It also will automatically scan 4 slides at a time by clicking one
button. Or 10 35 mm negative images at a time automatically. Or 4
120 mm negatives. color or bw.

Mine cost $140 from amazon.