Nikon Coolscan IV still worthy?

<p>Here is one from 35mm trix scanned with a v500 at 2500 ppi. I don't doubt the Nikon scanner would better but I find the epson to be good enough.</p><div></div>

<p>Here is another 35mm trix scan with the epson v500 at 2000 ppi.</p><div></div>

<p>I have a V700. Below are a couple of scans. Kodak BC400N (c41) scans really well also.</p><div></div>

<p>Sorry about that..here is another Tmax 100</p><div></div>

<p>My last one..again on the Epson V700</p><div></div>

<p>to all those thinking a flatbed will get you almost as good as a coolscan, here is my experience:<br>

i started with an epson v500 to scan my 35mm shot from an f100 using prime lenses (50 1.8 and 24 2.8 D nikon D lenses). here is a pic and crops to compare.<br>

I also took a microscope photograph at 40x mag on a nikon microscope (i work in a bio lab :). so i will take that image as the max resolution possible. below is the complete image scanned on a nikon coolscan iv at 2900 dpi:</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>the crop from a microscope at 40x on the signboard (circled in red)</p><div></div>

<p>now a scan from epson v500 at 6400 dpi (yes i know the real optical rez is only maybe 1600 dpi at best)</p><div></div>

<p>now a scan from coolscan iv at 2900dpi (no ICE, although this area did not have a scratch so not much diff even if ICE was applied).</p><div></div>

<p>conclusion: i was stunned, i thought that at 2900 dpi the coolscan would be better than the v500, but its almost as good as the microscope! no doubt at 4000dpi it would be equal to the microscope... sorry i know this is not black and white, but i think its still instructive in showing the difference between a real film scanner and a flatbed!<br>

i guess i'm just real pleased to have gotten an excellent condition coolscan from the auction site for $375, yes thats how crazy in demand these things are nowadays...oh nikon WHY did you stop making these?<br>

note: today i was at freestyle, and the sales guy was trying to convince some new dude how flatbeds (same model, v500) are <strong>ALMOST </strong>as good as filmscanners by quoting "<strong>It has 9600 dpi</strong> !"......i almost interjected "but is the optical resolution "?<br>

I'm keeping the v500 though for the day i get my mamiya RZ or a fuji 6x9 :)</p>

<p>I have a Minolta Scan-Dual III that I bought used for about $100, and Scan-Dual IV for about $20. I have an old Win-2K machine that I otherwise don't use anymore to run them. I haven't tried from a newer system.<br>

Good enough for what I need them for. I always scan at the highest resolution available.<br>

<br />(I have, and have used, the Nikon LS-1000, but it is pretty slow and needs SCSI.)</p>