Minolta Dual Scan III, please help!!

[saiseto]

I was offered for a Minolta Dual Scan III at a very tempting price and I think it's probably the time for me the move to a better film scanner (I'm currently using a rather basic flatbed scanner). However, before I take the offer, I would like to hear some suggestion from the people here. Here are some of my question listed below.

(1) Does anyone using/used this scanner before? I will be using that to scan B&W negative mainly, so how does it performance on B&W?

(2) Is this scanner Mac/Apple compatible, I have heard people give up using this scanner as it is not fully compatible with Mac/Apple. Any Mac users using this scanner at the moment?

(3) How does it perform when compare with the newer Dual Scan IV??

All your suggestion/infomation will be appericiated.

Cheers!!!

[kmack]

Originally Posted by saiseto

(1) Does anyone using/used this scanner before? I will be using that to scan B&W negative mainly, so how does it performance on B&W?

Yes, I have one and only use it for B&W, it does the job for me. All of the images in my gallery have been made using the III. I am not happy with the supplied software you may be wanting to scrap the Minolta software for something like Vuescan, so figure that into the final price.

Originally Posted by saiseto

(2) Is this scanner Mac/Apple compatible, I have heard people give up using this scanner as it is not fully compatible with Mac/Apple. Any Mac users using this scanner at the moment?

I use it on my Ibook with no problems.

Originally Posted by saiseto

(3) How does it perform when compare with the newer Dual Scan IV??

I do not have a IV so sorry I can't help you there.

[bmattock]

I have owned both the III and the IV. I found the output virtually identical. I sold my III ony because I had a defective unit that was out of warranty - it kept locking up my PC's OS (any OS, even Linux). I think mine was unusual, though - I never read of others having the same problem. So, I think the III is a fine low-cost choice - of course the IV is pretty inexpensive now, so I'd expect you'd pay even less for a nice used III.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

PS - I recommend Vuescan to get all the III is capable of putting out.

[saiseto]

Thanks for the fast reply, mates!!

By the way, kmack, what do you don't like about the minolta supplied software?

I've herad many people talking about the vuescan but I never use it before, what is that acutally is? Is that jsut a software for scanning photo or it works something like the photo editing software like the photoshop?

[bmattock]

Vuescan is scanning software, yes. Much like the Minolta-supplied software, or other third-party solutions such as Silverfast AI. I prefer it because I run Linux, so it is my only choice. But I would run it if I were running Windows as well - it is very powerful and gives you more individual control which can be tedious to learn, but is quite nice when you have an iffy neg that just won't seem to scan well using other programs.

It's not too hard to learn, but it does take some work. One has to actually want to take the time.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

[Joe Brugger]

The Minolta scanning software for the SDIII is set up in pretty logical fashion and you can get good results with it. The interface is a little friendlier than VueScan, and there are quite a few areas for adjustment. The easy scan or quick scan (can't remember what they call it) mode runs out of options pretty quickly.
I'd suggest starting out with the Minolta software when you're learning the machine, then exploring VueScan or other options if you're not quite getting the results you want.
Generally, to make a print, I do the highest-possible resolution scan, with only very basic spotting, color balancing and no sharpening, with the Minolta software and then open the .tiff file in PS Elements for the rest of the work.
Film scanners certainly let you learn a lot from your slides and negs very quickly.

[kmack]

Originally Posted by saiseto

Thanks for the fast reply, mates!!

By the way, kmack, what do you don't like about the minolta supplied software?

I've herad many people talking about the vuescan but I never use it before, what is that acutally is? Is that jsut a software for scanning photo or it works something like the photo editing software like the photoshop?

I find the Mac version limiting and the interface rather clunky. I was never able to save settings between sessions, (I would hit the "Save" button and the setting were available during the current session, but when I would close and reopen the saved settings were gone.) I found Vuescan faster and did a better job. You may find the Minolta software works well for you, but I bet you outgrow it pretty fast.