I must admit I'm biased because I work for Applied Science Fiction, but I
wouldn't consider a scanner unless it has Digital ICE. Try as I can, I can't
get all of the dust off of an undamaged negative. Plus, many of the images I
scan have defects, some in manufacturing others in handling, that couldn't
be corrected EVER in Photoshop (usually because the image and the defect are
indistinguishable) not to mention the time involved. It is unbelievable the
way Digital ICE can see _under_ a defect and extract the original
information captured on the film.
You should also check the bit depth of the new Nikon scanner, is higher than
eight? Maybe the Cool Scan IV is an upgrade for the Cool Scan III. Is there
going to be an equivalent to the LS-2000 that is higher priced?
I found the negative carrier doesn't allow scans from border to border on
the film. I modified mine (filed out the opening) so it now can get all the
way to the edge.
Good luck
Jack Phipps
Applied Science Fiction
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Kehl [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2001 2:18 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: filmscanners: SS4000 and LS-2000 real value?
Thanks to very good input from this list I bought both a Nikon LS-2000 and a
Microtek 4000t (Polaroid SS-4000) last year for a special project. I used
the Nikon for the mainstream scanning because of it's great film handling
capabilities (mine didn't have a stepper motor problem) and I used the
Microtek for super hi-res scans. I have been delighted with both scanners.
However, I am a sound & image technology consultant by trade and so I cannot
resist having the latest and greatest technology. As I put my former "state
of the art scanners" up for sale I wonder, what are they really worth? I
realize that with every wave of new technology the former "state of the art"
technology fades somewhat, but how much?
With the advent of the Nikon LS-40 (Coolscan IV) at it seems my LS-2000 has
really got to lose value. Unless I missed something, the LS-40 is the next
step up repalcement for the LS-2000 and at $895 it just made my LS-2000
just this side of a boat anchor.
But the new Nikon LS-4000ED probably affects 4000t (SS-4000) owners a bit
less, since both the new Nikon and the Polaroid scanners ultimately give you
same the same image resolution and quality. It seems that LS-2000 owners
all around the world may want to move up right away, but the SS-4000 owners
have less to gain by running out and buying the new 4000dpi scanner from
Nikon when they already have a 4000dpi scanner. Still the film handling and
Ice3 could be nice. Any comment from SS-4000 or 4000t owners? Are you
planning on a move up to the new technology right away or am I the only one?
Anyway, it seems to me that my LS-2000 just dropped in value to somewhere
around $600 but perhaps my 4000t (SS-4000) will hold its value a little
better, maybe somewhere around $1,200. Response would be appreciated.
Regards,
Bob Kehl
