jake_carlsen

Well I would think that cleaning your negatives well would go without saying. I have never really been all that impressed

with automatic solutions to dust on images, but we have all had a little bit of dust get past the best cleaning measures and

then just a little spot healing or cloning in photoshop can do wonders. Actually, the new content aware healing tools in

CS5 are pretty amazing in this regard. I have done testing with this on architectural images where the healing tool not only

got rid of the blemish, but also managed to match the exact pattern of the wall it was on and creating the lines of the

siding right where it should be and matching it in such a way that you would never be able to tell that there had been any

manipulation done.

I use an anti static brush just like I did when I worked in a 1 hour lab. It gets most if not all dust off of the negatives for

me when I have used my old Epson flat bed scanner. After that, if I catch a little dust in the image after I have scanned it,

you can usually deal with it in a blink in Photoshop.

Not sure that this is really on topic though.

To John Crowe:

So there is no other real advantage? The bit depth that the scanners scan at and output are no better? Their speed or

other capabilities are no better? I'm just curious as I thought that there was more to these scanners than just their ability to

scan larger formats than 35mm. If I can get the same image quality out of a lower end scanner for 35mm then I would

love to get my hands on it. What models do you recommend? I would prefer that it isn't too horribly slow...so I guess I am

looking for something that works with USB 2 if at all possible.

I also agree that there is usually lot to be desired when you get a CD made by the photo finisher. This is why I am looking

at getting a scanner for my own use. One more question. Are there any flatbed style scanners that you would recommend?

To JDM:

Thank you. I can probably work out getting a SCSI controller card into my PC box. That is a good suggestion. I have used

Nikon and Epson scanners up to this point, and actually used to sell Canon scanners, but never used one. I will take this

suggestion seriously. Do you have a suggestion on a good vendor to get one from?

Well that is an idea, but I have had a hard time finding a finisher that will provide the quality of scans that I would like to

get. Asking for files that are anything more than 8 bit jpegs is generally out of the question. There used to be shops that

would do more, but they have either stopped the services or have gone under in the last few years. At this point, it just

seems like it would be much better to have a good scanner of my own and do my own digitizing.

I have been looking around at getting a used scanner. I have always wanted to get my hands on either a Nikon Coolscan 8000 or 9000,

but am depressed that the used prices just simply are not dropping, in fact they seem to be climbing.

I was wondering if the fine people of this forum will be able to help me by making a recommendation towards getting a new scanner that

will perform well.

I have been starting to shoot more and more film as of late with my Nikon FM2n and would love to be able to import the images I am

making in the best quality way available that will not break the bank.

I hope that you all had a great Holiday and I look forward to your responses.

-Jake-

You are right in thinking that the older 24-120 is not the best lens out there. The new one, as should be clear from the

price, is a very good lens, but if this is a second system that you are more just collecting than looking to really move to on

a full time basis then sticking with the 28-105 may be the way to go.

The older Nikon lenses are on the loud side. In fact I cringe when I have to pull out my 85mmf1.8D at weddings as it is a

lot louder than I would like, but this is part of the experience of shooting with Nikon. The new equipment that they are

producing is astounding, but in the 90's and early 2000's, the equivalent lens technology from Canon was much nicer.

This kind of thinking may get me kicked from the Nikon Fanboy club, but it is really just the truth.

The F100 is going to be a total pleasure to use, and there isn't a lot of current technology that it isn't compatible with. The

only things I can think of are maybe some of the newest flashes...which will still fire on the body just fine but you may want

to do some homework on the metering to make sure that they will work correctly. Although since you are seeming to be

willing to get used equipment, the SB-28 would be a great flash to use and will be completely compatible with this camera.

Happy shooting. You have your hands on a very fine machine from Nikon's history.