digital film scanner selection

[ashok bhaskar]

I was intrested in knowing which is the best roll film scanner available now with quality of output the only criteria. Please give me few options and source of the same.

[Helpful Corn]

Hi ashok,

Nikon and Minolta are two brands you might want to investigate. Since this forum is devoted to Silverfast products, you probably will get more opinions on film scanners at photo-related sites like dpreview, photo.net, fredmiranda, luminous-landscape, and popphoto.

http://photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactiv ... page-1.htm

http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/di ... 80crx.aspx

[RAG]

Ashok,

Regardless of brand you should look for the following:

Dynamic range (DMAX - DMIN = dynamic range) - The higher the dynamic range the better the shadow detail. The current printing technology seems to have a maximum dynamic range of about 3.3 so if that is your intended final output make sure the scanner at least matches that number.

Image Resolution - You want to make sure the optical scanning resolution is high enough to provide the largest intended output size.

[kayanat]

Is there a way to convert 120mm film into some digital form without using a scanner? like a photo cd or something? i'm sure the answer is probably no but thought i'd ask since i don't have a scanner and would like to share my pics from my holga. and i hate using the 35mm film with that camera so please don't suggest that.

[LSI_Ketelhohn]

Dear Kayanat,

As you already expected the basic answer is no.
Without a scanning device there is no acceptable way to covert a 120mm film to digital form.
There are special lens systems which can be mounted in front of a digital camera, but I would rather suggest using a good flatbed scanner.
Another alternative would be a scanning service provider.

kind regards
Arne Ketelhohn.