Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/07/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've now done about 10 scans on the Nikon 8000ED and followed them through to final prints. Most of these were color shots that I had had some trouble with using the Epson 2450 (touble was primarily noise in solid color areas). The good news is that with the exception of one image that I still can't get a good scan/print of (probably have to go to a professional drum scan on it), the rest of the images improved significantly. I am still not satisfied with the final prints, but if you went on a scale of 1-100 to get from where I was with the 2450 to where I wanted to be (as good as or better than a wet dark room color print; with 1 being the 2450 and 100 being the "perfect print"), I would say I got 80% of the way there with a combination of the Nikon scanner and trying different papers with the different images (the papers can make a BIG difference all by themselves). The detail in the scans is SIGNIFICANTLY better than with the 2450, and the Digital Ice feature is flawless...no dust, no retouching....NONE AT ALL! What are the drawbacks? 1. Image file size. While the 2450 was already BIG (about 250MG file on a medium format color image at actual image size and 1200 DPI), the file format is now up around 435MG at 4000 DPI. At that size I have not been able to get Geneuine Fractals to work...the file seems too big, as GF just goes away and processes...I cancelled it after about 45 minutes. If you do the math you find that if you want to use a 2880 DPI image to match the resolution quality of the newest Epson photo scanners, the file size at 16X20 inches will be bigger than any PC or Mac you can currently buy....you'll need something with 5 or 6 Gigabytes of RAM just to print the image. Maybe there is a separate printer buffer with additional memory you can buy and put in between. I am looking at something like an Epson 7600, but I don't think you can take advantage of the 24 inch wide print size because there isn't a computer that will drive it at 2880 DPI. 2. The scanning takes a LONG time. Particularly if you go to 16X scanning with Digital Ice. We've all heard of go get a coffee...well this is make dinner and eat...We're talking 30-45 minutes per scan. 3. For medium format you will want to get the glass film holder...an extra $250-$300...on top of an already expensive scanner. Is it worth it? For me I think so. The extra image quality is visible and it has gotten me closer to the quality of print I am hoping for. If you want to print big (16X20 or larger) the scanner quality is very visible vs. the Epson 2450. For photos posted on the Internet, absolutely go with the 2450, it is easier, faster, and about 10% of the price of the Nikon. You will not see a difference in image quality on the Internet for 35mm or medium format between the two. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes http://autos.yahoo.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html