BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Stephanie
 

Film Scanners


Hello, I was looking in to buying a film scanner, and the question just crossed my mind. What is the difference between and 35mm Film scanner and just a normal picture scanner? I've tried searching on Google but haven't found anything. Any comments would be appreciated!!

Thanks,
Stephanie


To love this question, log in above
February 24, 2005

 

Doug Elliott
  Stephanie,
I great film scanner is the Nikon 5000 which is $1,050.00 from B&H. Here is some information about the scanner.
4,000-dpi true optical-resolution scanning,16-bit A/D converter featuring 16-/8-bit output for crisp, color-true images

Exclusive Scanner Nikkor ED high-performance lens elements for reduced color aberration and minimized image distortion

Proprietary LED illumination technology ensures consistently accurate color reproduction

Amazingly fast scanning (approx. 20 seconds including image transfer to display) at 4,000 dpi

Newly-developed, high-quality 2-line CCD sensor

Improved image processing algorithm for significant boost in scan quality of color negative film

Multi-sample scanning capability of up to 16 passes for faithful reproduction and smoother gradation

Quick AF & Quick Preview enhance operability and convenience

High-speed USB 2.0 interface for fast, easy image transfer

Compatible with various film formats (35mm [135], IX240, etc.)

Enhanced Color Management System for higher precision, in compliance with ICC (International Color Consortium) version 4 standards.

Digital ICE4 Advanced™ automatic correction function

Digital ICE™ (Image Correction & Enhancement) removes dust, scratches and fingerprints from scanned images

Digital ROC™ (Reconstruction Of Color) recreates and restores faded color values for vivid, faithfully rendered images

Digital GEM™ (Grain Equalization & Management) equalizes image grain for sharp, clear images with no clumping or graininess

Digital DEE™ (Dynamic Exposure Extender) helps reveal details lost in shadows and highlights

New Scan Image Enhancer for one-touch image correction

Optional SLIDE FEEDR SF-210 for up to 50 mounted slides

Optional ROLL FILM ADAPTER SA-30 for uncut film rolls of up to 40 frames

Layout-free design lets users position the scanner vertically or horizontally to best meet their individual requirements

Driver software Nikon Scan 4 features an intuitive GUI (Graphical User Interface) that enables easy, comprehensive scanner control

Easy Scanning Guide CD-ROM helps users setup and operate the scanner

Nikon View Software for simplified viewing and archiving of scanned images


Digital ICE4 Advanced™ is Digital ICE™, Digital ROC™, Digital GEM™ and Digital DEE™.
Digital ICE4 Advanced™ are technologies developed by Applied Science Fiction.

Specifications




Media

Negatives and positives, in color and monochrome

35mm slides
Slides with mounts 1.0 - 3.2mm thick, 49 - 50.8mm wide; optional SLIDE FEEDER SF-210 can be used to scan up to 50 slides with mounts 1.5mm thick

35mm film strips
2 - 6 frames (2 - 40 frames with optional ROLL FILM ADAPTER SA-30); strips of 1 - 6 frames can be scanned with optional STRIP FILM HOLDER FH-3

APS (IX240) film
Slides with mounts 1.0 - 3.2mm thick can be scanned with optional 120/220 MOUNTED FILM HOLDER FH-869M

Preparates (slide glass for microscope)
Prepared slides (26 x 76mm, 0.8 - 1.5 mm thick) can be scanned with optional MEDICAL SLIDE HOLDER FH-G1




Aperture/Scan range/Effective aperture

MA-21, SF-210
25.1 x 36.8mm/3,946 x 5,782 pixels/Same as slide mount

SA-21, SA-30
25.1 x 38.0mm/3,946 x 5,959 pixels/23.4 x 36.0mm

IA-20 (S)
18.6 x 28.4mm/2,916 x 4,453 pixels/16.1 x 27.4mm




Scanning system

Fixed film, movable plane single-pass optical scanning system


Light source

R, G, B and Infrared (IR) LEDs


Image sensor

3,964-pixel, two-line linear CCD image sensor


Color separation

Performed by RGB LEDs


Optical resolution

Up to 4,000 pixels per inch


A/D conversion

16 bits per color


Density range

4.8


Output

Full color or greyscale at 8 or 16 bits per channel


Focus

Auto and manual; autofocusing point selectable


Interface

USB 2.0


Power requirements

AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz


Operating environment

Temperature:10 - 35°C (50 - 95°F)
Relative humidity:20 - 60%


Dimensions

96 x 172 x 315mm (3.8 x 6.8 x 12.4 in.) (W x H x D)


Weight (approx.)

3kg (6.6 lbs)


Orientation

Horizontal or vertical (with SF-210: horizontal only; with SA-30: vertical only)


Scanning time

Preview: 11 seconds
Scan*: 20 seconds
(time to complete preview or scan when no options selected)

*Includes time required to display the scanned image

Specifications are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. September 2004


To love this comment, log in above
February 24, 2005

 

doug Nelson
  An office flatbed scanner can easily scan paper photos, and MAY be able to scan from a negative or slide, if the scanner comes with the necessary adapters.

A 35mm film scanner scans from a 35mm negative strip or a slide. It does a far better job than most, if not all, flatbeds. (Some readers have had decent results from Epson flatbeds; check through the archives.) Film scanners are available from Minolta and Nikon in the $500 range.


To love this comment, log in above
February 25, 2005

 

Stephanie
  Well, I was actually interested in the technical aspect of the difference between the two, but that is all good information for me to know for when I decide on what kind of film scanner to get. Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. :) Its not really that important that I get the answer, I was just curious.

Thanks again!


To love this comment, log in above
February 25, 2005

 

Tony Sweet
  Hi Stephanie:

Dedicated film scanners (i.e. the Nikon 4000 or 5000 or Minolta 5400) will give you noticeably better image quality than flatbed scanners for 35mm film. For medium and 4x5 format images, high end flat bed scanners should be fine.


To love this comment, log in above
February 27, 2005

 
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here

Report this Thread