You may want to reconsider the T1200, as I think there is at least one
better alternative.
The T1200 itself is a pretty good unit. Within the limits of its
specifications it performs well. With a bit of experimentation it will
produce good results with negatives and slides. The only complaint I have
about it is that I find the drawer mechanism for scanning transparencies
awkward in that the holders tend to slide around when you close the drawer.
For that reason I prefer the Agfa Arcus ll, which in the real world produces
similar results to the T1200 without the awkwardness of the drawer. (The
last statement is based on scanning a couple of negs on both scanners
connected to the same computer and using the same software, for what it's
worth.)
The 3.0 dmax specification does not seem to be a major problem. I've had no
difficulty getting clean scans of transparency shadows with the scanner.
However, I think you should take a good look at the Epson 1640SU Photo as an
alternative. I've done something over 300 scans over the last couple of
months and have been very pleased with the results. (I'm setting up for a
project involving scanning about 2500 archival negs over the summer.) It has
an optical resolution of 1600 ppi while the T1200 is only 600x1200. The
1640 produces noticeably sharper scans, and I prefer its tonal rendition.
I'm not sure what the dmax is, but I've scanned some extremely dense black
and white negs with excellent results.
I can't comment on the 1640SU Photo software as I work primarily with
Hamrick Vuescan, which produces excellent results and has some useful
features for high volume scanning.
It has been a while since I've checked the price of the T1200. It used to
be significantly more expensive than the 1640SU Photo, which lists at
$399US.
I've also heard that Canon will be announcing a new unit in this price range
with 2400 ppi resolution.
There is a very good scanning-oriented listserv at www.leben.com.
John Poirier
----- Original Message -----
From: "David A. Mann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: May 1, 2001 1:40 AM
Subject: Opinions: Agfa Duoscan T1200
> Hi all,
>
> Well I've decided that I should finally get a film scanner of some sort.
I can't
> afford a 4000dpi 35mm scanner yet, but I do want to be able to scan my 6x7
> slides for the web, which meant I was going to have to buy the Duoscan
> anyway. I'm able to afford this one at the moment so I might as well get
it
> now (before the price goes up even more), and use it to get more of my
> 35mm slides on the web until I can pick up a high-res 35mm scanner.
>
> So, I'd appreciate it if anyone who's used this scanner to tell me/us
what
> you think of it. I'll be using it for 6x7 and 35mm to start with, and I
want to
> use the slide trays (I absolutely want to avoid sandwiching my slides
> between glass plates like the guys in the camera shop do).
>
> The specific things I want to know about are:
> 1- optical performance
> 2- scanning speed
> 3- what's it like for printed matter?
> 4- I can see the 3.0 dmax is pretty low: is this a problem? I'm probably
> stuck with it though as it's the only affordable medium/large-format slide
> scanner available (I don't want to use a flatbed with transparency
adaptor).
> 5- I'll be using it on a PC and I'd also like opinions on its driver and
whatever
> software comes bundled with it (I probably won't use it though).
> 6- Do you think I could easily adapt the 6x7 carrier to hold my panoramic
> 35mm slides? :)
> 7- Does it come with a SCSI adaptor or do I have to buy this separately?
> 8- What's it like for colour negs?
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> - Dave
>
> David A. Mann, B.E. (Elec)
> http://www.digistar.com/~dmann/
>
> "Why is it that if an adult behaves like a child they lock him up,
> while children are allowed to run free on the streets?" -- Garfield
> -
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