ishik_tuna

recently purchase a Nikon Coolscan 5000

$1029 shipped.

 

excellent device (4000 dpi)

 

scans are fast. you DO NOT need 1 gig of computer memory (i have 500 megs)

 

processing of images (depending on what you do) takes a modest amount of time (certainly not instantaneous, don't expect to scan hundreds of slides per hour with processing on unless you've got some sort of wicked fast computer..i'm using a 2.8 ghz machine)

 

digital ice is essential.

scans kodachrome very nicely, with digital ice processing

software is decent (occasional "glitch" requires restarting program)

 

overall very pleased, would buy again.

I bought one recently. It has a very pleasing "retro" feel, and feels much more substantial than typical P&S cameras. Very nice optics. Images range from superior to amazing. The "dreaded" electronic viewfinder is actually better than i expected from what different reviews have stated. It isn't a Pro DSLR, it isn't really a typical P%S...i guess it would fall into the "prosumer" camera category, maybe more to the "pro" side of the equation. The most interesting thing this camera has done is re-awaken my joy of photography. I'm actually shooting more film with my Leicaflex SL in addition to using the Digilux2, since the purchase! Now i match the equipment to the situation, and the flexibilty in equipment choices has increased my options. Get a 1 GB SD card by the way (Newegg has a 60X speed card for <$90 shipped). There is a nice "offer" going on with Leica now as well, if you call them up, they will send you a Leica 24 SFD flash, a camera battery, and a technical manual about the Digi ($300-350 dollar in extras..makes it "competitive" with the Panasonic model i guess).

 

Hope that helps. Images are excellent to amazing. "Feel" is just right. Optics great. More pixels? Well, every year the number will probably be doubling. Rangefinder viewfinder? Nope..but you get a 2.5" LCD, autofocus if you want, it's completely silent, and the EVF if decent enough.

 

 

 

Digital versus film....heck, I like both of 'em.

get a dell

 

go to fatwallet.com, forums, hot deals, search for Dell, you will find a fast machine with a large hard drive, and lots of memory for under $500.00

 

certainly, your computer will probably run faster (and be more stable) with xp, but you will notice a significant improvement in workflow if you increase the speed of your processor, and the amount of memory you have (memory is cheap).

 

upgrading your operating system, adding memory, perhaps increasing your hard drive size..your half way towatrds a new computer anyhow..

 

you don't need to spend $1000 on a new computer..if you check out the site i listed, you should be able over the next month or so...to find a "special deal" on a dell for less than $500.00

 

another site to follow for computer deals is xpbargins.com

 

hope that helps.

i just got a coolscan 5000 ed shipped for $1035 from J&R.

 

no tax, shipping is about $20, they already had the lowest price, i asked for a furter price reduction and they did it..

 

i would try the same with the is9000, probably get a good price that way.

i just purchased a digilux 2. very "old school" (in a good way).controls are exactly like a film camera. zoom, focus, aperture are all set on the lense barrel. very large lcd on back with very nice image. electronic viewfinder is o.k., not great. images are outstanding. very intuitive controls. ultra quiet (most people don't know when you've taken the picture). "feels right" when you hold it - obviously i'm biased because i bought one, but i think you'll like it.

how about a gun?

"My opinion? Take two rugged film cameras and a ton of film. But what do I know?"

 

agree...would add "ton of color slide film", not color negative

 

i'd bring a portable water purification kit as well.