If the DMax figures are real DMax figures, yes DMax
is more important than any other feature and maybe
even resolution. Unfortunately, from what I've
heard, Minolta's DMax values are not measured values
but theoretical, calculated values. For instance a
DMax of 3.6 for a 12 bit scanner tells you nothing
about the covered range of your slide or your
negative. It simply means the output can have a DMax
of 3.6. Just take 2 ^ 12 = 4096 which is the number
of shades of gray possible with 12 bits, and log
4096. Viola, it's 3.6. I haven't read the specs of
the 16 bit scanner but I bet it is 4.8 using the
same calculation !
