patrick_donegan

<p>@Xuan: Howtek is supported by the folks at Aztek in Southern California. Check them out at www.aztek.com - they will be able to answer most of your questions regarding the scanner. Silverfast AI for Epson will not work on the Howtek. Silverfast writes software specific to each scanner. They do not offer a cross-platform or universal software package. </p>

<p>Xuan,<br>

If you do decide to pickup a used drum scanner, in addition to looking for "crazing" (the cracked glazed surface that will ruin a scan), you also want to see how easy it is to change the bulbs and the belts in the scanner. If possible, have the current owner, or the vendor, show you the scanner in action. As many others have said, getting updated software to work with current operating systems is often a challenge. As mentioned in another posting, Aztek, in Southern California, is a good place to pick up a used drum scanner, get service, and they also sell the supplies you will need to perform the scans and maintain your scanner.<br>

I disagree, yet not entirely, to using a flatbed for film scanning. A flatbed scanner, will almost always create a very "blocky" scan. Sorry, that's my technical term for a scan that destroys information hidden in the shadows and the highlights. If you learn the software's RAW mode, you may be able to get a better scan. As far as flatbed scanners go, you'd be lucky to get anything better than 2700-3200ppi of optical resolution even if the scanner claims 6400ppi. Most of the flatbed scanners on the market do not contain the focus-ability of the Nikon film scanners and drum scanners, and most have a glass tray in the way that just gives dust a few more surfaces to rest upon, but there is one exception.<br>

The Microtek M1/M1 Pro which uses Microtek's proprietary, glassless scan process is that exception. The Microtek ArtixScan line of scanners typically have better optics and the flatbed version of these scanners come with two scan beds - one for reflective material (with glass), and another for film (glassless). I have found that the M1 can produce scans that compare very well to the Nikon and Minolta scans, and surprisingly, they're still being sold between $600 - $850 (US$). The benefit to a scanner such as the M1, is that it is multi-format ready. You can scan film strips, slides, medium format, 4x5s, and larger using the various trays that come with the unit.<br>

Since I've used all the scanners mentioned above, plus a few more, I will say that the Nikon scanners are the best for bulk scans of 35mm and APS film. If it wasn't for the crappy software that Nikon shipped with the scanners, I'd say these scanners were almost perfect! If you have a relatively small collection of film to be scanned, and you have a bit of time on your hands, I would pick up a new or used Minolta Scan Multi-Pro or a Microtek ArtixScan flatbed scanner. Both of these scanners do 35mm filmstrips and slides and medium format film, but the Microtek will do more. All of these scanners have focus and multi-sampling features which makes all of them a good crop to pick from. Only the Microtek Artixscan M1/M1 Pro is currently on the market.<br>

If perfection is the only way to go, you have the money to spend, don't mind paying $25 per roll of tape, and you don't mind dousing your fingers with highly flammable oil-stripping chemicals, then a drum scanner may still be the way to go. You will be able to mount multiple frames, after some practice, and you will get scans that contain the smoothest gradation of colors and shades from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, with very little grain aliasing. It is possible to get updated software that works with current operating systems, at least if you choose an Aztek/Howtek scanner (I don't know about the even more expensive Tango scanners).<br>

Seems there are still many choices available...even if they are getting rarer.</p>