Advantages: High quality scans, aps capable Disadvantages: Slow compared to newer models, noisy
I've had a ScanDual II for over a year now, in that time it has performed well without any hardware faults.
Its maximum resolution of 2820dpi (dots per inch) yields TIF files (Tagged Image Format - a file format which compresses only slightly but retains full image quality) of around 30mb. The scans it produces are generally very sharp with good colour. However I've found it does tend to exaggerate the grain of the film slightly.
The scanner comes complete with holders for mounted and un-mounted slides. These holders slot into the scanner with the film horizontal and so form a perfect platform for dust to settle on. This scanner has none of the Digital ICE technologies which are nowadays commonplace so invest in a blower brush if you want to avoid spending ages in Photoshop removing specks of dust!
The mounted slide holder ...
Advantages: A fine scanner at a budget price. Disadvantages: Yet anotherthing to plug into your PC!
/semi-pro photographer and three years ago I bought a MinoltaDimageScanDual II brand new. These can now be found on Ebay for £100 or so and offer a fine machine at a rather more affordable price. The results I've had are truly superb, with fine detail and subtlties of colour faithfully reproduced.
The ScanDual II is a machine capable of scanning 35mm and APS (with optional adaptor) negatives with an output resolution of up to 2820dpi. This is more than enough to produce images on your PC which, after re-sizing will print at exhibition quality at A4. At A3, which few people would want to print, the quality still remains excellent with only a minor fall off in image quality.
The unit measures 150x100x320mm and weighs in at 1.5kg., so it takes up little room on the desk top. Although it connects to your PC via a USB port, it needs to be powered ...
Advantages: Daylight photos and battery Disadvantages: Night photos
This machine will be your best friend. Especially if you don't have a mobile that take photos. You can carry with you easy cause to the small size.
Perfect image colours for the daylight photos but not the same for the night especially if you try to take photo people further than 2 meters due to the week flash.
The battery last longer than other cameras cause the optical zoom is internal (Minolta pattern) and the LCD screen at the back is small(less energy consumption).
So if you want to buy a quality that last with less money is a good selection. Definitely there are better cameras with better night photos. But is difficult to find any camera to take photos at night.
Tip for nights photos don't use the flash. Press the button for photo and wait . Try this to take photo a town from above at night. It needs 30 second to take ...
Product Information for "Minolta Dimage Scan Dual" »
Scanner
Colour Depth
24-bit (16.7 million colours)
Optical Resolution
2438 dpi x 2438 dpi
Scan Mode
Single-pass
Scan Element Type
CCD
Scan Density Range
3.0D
Scan Speed
60 sec / page (colour)
Compliant Standards
TWAIN
Manufacturer's product description
The Dimage Scan Dual gives you professional-quality digital imaging right in your own home, with 8 million pixel resolution and 30-bit, fine-gradation color sampling. It includes everything you need to scan 35mm film images and transfer them to a PC or Macintosh. Plus, an optional adapter lets you scan Advanced Photo System cassettes. Also includes Adobe software for image manipulation. Unlike many scanners that limit you to one type of film, the Dimage Scan Dual accepts both positive and negative 35mm film, in either color or black and white. You can also scan Advanced Photo System film. Film holders are included for easy and safe film handling and insertion. (Advanced Photo System film holder is an optional accessory). With mounted positives or negatives, all you have to do is set the photos in the supplied film holder, which can hold up to four slides. When the film holder is inserted, the scanner shows the number of the frame to be scanned. Now you don't have to make prints to see your photos. Just scan them by placing up to six negatives or positives in the supplied sleeve holder; the frame number to be scanned is displayed.
