Minolta Dimage Scan Multi PRO

Advantages: High quality scans, aps capable
Disadvantages: Slow compared to newer models, noisy

...I've had a Scan Dual 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A fine scanner at a budget price.
Disadvantages: Yet anotherthing to plug into your PC!

...How do you get your old pre-digi camera family snaps onto your PC? You can pay to have it done by the likes of Jessops, or you can do it yourself. You can either use a flatbed scanner to scan the prints or, if it has a film adaptor, you can scan the negatives or colour slides. However, if you want the best quality images for printing at A4 or even A3, the only answer is to get hold of a dedicated film scanner. Film scanners are available from several of the major camera manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon and Minolta. Brand new, a decent one will set you back £300+ - rather a lot to pay to scan a photo of Granny making a fool of herself you may think, and I agree. So, that leaves you with buying secondhand on, say, Ebay. This route will cost you around £100 - £120 for a good example. Now, I'm a serious amateur/semi-pro... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: good quality, lots of editing features, produces up to A3.
Disadvantages: slow, requires more time to edit than your digi photos, glitchy software.

...afterwards. Depending on your editing skills the end result was, usually, pleasing. Though, for the price i paid (the price of a very good digital camera), it was hard to know what to expect. After a lot of scanning i found that my 35mm slides and negatives looked sharper when scanned in at 1800 dpi (dots per inch) as opposed to 5400dpi. Confused? Well, its all down to the 'resolution' of the slide/negative itself. At 5400 dpi the scanner was scanning detail that wasn't actually there. When i blew up the photos to 100% they looked overdone (!). At 1800 dpi they were just right and printed well up to A4. If you need A3 then you'll have to scan higher than 1800dpi. If you use the ICE software to automatically remove dust, the scan takes many minutes. I could boil the kettle and make a cup of tea - with brewing time! - and come back and it... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful