Minolta scan dual IV - Page 2

Joe Brugger · 02-01-2005

My scanner is the SDIII, not the IV, but the differences aren't all that huge. The Minolta software has an OK cropping facility (adjust the dotted frame in the prescan) and there's no reason to scan parts of the frame you are certain you will never use.
Saving the highlights is trickier, because the Minolta software is fairly crude. The SDIII software has a series of tabs available in the 'prescan' mode that let you make some adjustments. The tabs are arranged so that the workflow goes from left to right. Very easy to make the corrections once you get the hang of it.
Lately I've been scanning BW neg films as BW neg with 1x sampling and getting acceptable results but it's very dependent on the quality of the original negs -- and most commercial processors doing conventional BW seem to overdevelop.
The clipping comment is intriguing. I see this with a couple older film types and some images, but not across the board.

PatrickT · 03-21-2005

Sorry to resurect this thread from the dead, but does anyone know if the IV will scan 120 roll? I'm on a budget here and am thinking about getting one. How does everyone like theirs?

Thanks!
Patrick

Todd.Hanz · 03-21-2005

Patrick,
no it is only for APS and 35mm. The Epson flatbeds are a good alternative to a dedicated medium format scanner, esp. when you compare the cost. I use an Epson 2450, it's about 6 or 7 years old so the newer models are even better, good luck.

Todd

Doug · 03-21-2005

Minolta does offer the Scan Multi Pro, which does up to 6x9cm...

PatrickT · 03-22-2005

Thanks guys. I think I will mainly be doing 35mm (as I have just gotten into rangefinders after having bought a GSN :-) ) but my Dad likes to piddle in medium format (we have a few TLRs). Does the Dual Scan IV offer a lot more quality than a flatbed? I see myself mainly scanning negatives anyway...

Thanks!
Patrick

peter_n · 03-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickT

Does the Dual Scan IV offer a lot more quality than a flatbed? I see myself mainly scanning negatives anyway...

The general consensus is that a film scanner does a better job than a flatbed. I'm only using my DS IV for web stuff and it does a pretty good job. They cost around $250.