Adapter or new scanner?

[Robin McInnes]

Hi,

I'm about to embark on a major upgrade of my home computer system. In
fact, I think I'm going to take the plunge and swap from Windows PC to
an iMac.

At present I have an old Acer Scanwit 2720S dedicated film scanner, and
I'm half way through archiving all my old slides & negatives. I am quite
happy with the scanning performance of the Acer, despite its age, and
I'm a firm believer in the old 'if it's not broke, don't fix it it'
adage. (See my sig)

I realize that if I wish to continue using my Scanwit with my shiny new
Mac I will need a SCSI to Firewire adapter, and I understand that these
are available for about £80 or so.

An alternative would be to get a new scanner, but there seems to be a
shortage of dedicated film scanners out there. Obviously there is the
Coolscan, but that seems a bit on the expensive side and it is limited,
I think, to just 35mm. (I have a lot of 126 'Instamatic' photos to do.)

So I find myself considering flatbeds. From those I've seen, the Epson
Perfection 4490 seems to look a promising option but, as it's not a
proper dedicated film scanner I assume it must be a compromise, and I
wonder whether it would be a backward step from the Scanwit in terms of
sheer scanning quality.

So, my questions are:-

Do I get an eighty quid adapter for my old Scanwit, or do I lay out £140
or so and get a new flatbed?

Is there anyone out there who has actually made the change from Scanwit
to 4490, (or similar), who could offer an opinion?

Thanks in advance,
Robin McInnes

Cheshire, UK

-Si non confectus, non reficiat-

 

[dennis@home]

Do I get an eighty quid adapter for my old Scanwit, or do I lay out £140
or so and get a new flatbed?

why not keep the old pc?
-

 

[Robin McInnes]

why not keep the old pc?
-

a) Six years old
b) 128MB RAM
c) Celeron processor (slow... but thorough )
d) Barely runs WinXP
e) Even less barely runs Photoshop

Need I say more?

 

[Terry]

Hi,

I'm about to embark on a major upgrade of my home computer system. In
fact, I think I'm going to take the plunge and swap from Windows PC to
an iMac.

At present I have an old Acer Scanwit 2720S dedicated film scanner, and
I'm half way through archiving all my old slides & negatives. I am quite
happy with the scanning performance of the Acer, despite its age, and
I'm a firm believer in the old 'if it's not broke, don't fix it it'
adage. (See my sig)

I realize that if I wish to continue using my Scanwit with my shiny new
Mac I will need a SCSI to Firewire adapter, and I understand that these
are available for about £80 or so.

An alternative would be to get a new scanner, but there seems to be a
shortage of dedicated film scanners out there. Obviously there is the
Coolscan, but that seems a bit on the expensive side and it is limited,
I think, to just 35mm. (I have a lot of 126 'Instamatic' photos to do.)

So I find myself considering flatbeds. From those I've seen, the Epson
Perfection 4490 seems to look a promising option but, as it's not a
proper dedicated film scanner I assume it must be a compromise, and I
wonder whether it would be a backward step from the Scanwit in terms of
sheer scanning quality.

So, my questions are:-

Do I get an eighty quid adapter for my old Scanwit, or do I lay out £140
or so and get a new flatbed?

Is there anyone out there who has actually made the change from Scanwit
to 4490, (or similar), who could offer an opinion?

Thanks in advance,
Robin McInnes

Cheshire, UK

-Si non confectus, non reficiat-

Here is a link to Ratoc adapters, they have a USB/SCSI and a Firewire?
SCSI adapter. Which ever way you go doesn't ensure your scanning
software will work with the scanner. Specs seem to suggest that using
Vuescan 8.04 or above will work with the combination. If you don't
have Vuescan it's $89.00 for the Pro version, this drives up the total
money output up.
http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/index.html#P_UltraSCSIConverter
You might consider the Epson V700/V750.
Link to reviews:
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Menus/reviews_frame.htm

 

[-]

The 2720S will provide scans that are at least as sharp, if not even a bit
more sharp, than the 4490 when it comes to 35 mm. This sharpness will be
even more important with the small instamatic format and the 4490 will not
come with a holder for that format. The 4490 will allow you to scan medium
format and does have ICE though (not sure if those capabilities are
important to you). Can't you get an adapter for less than 80 pounds via
ebay? I would be tempted to go with the adpater and current scanner IF IF
IF you are sure the Mac drivers and software are decent for this scanner.

Doug

 

[Robin McInnes]

I would be tempted to go with the adpater and current scanner IF IF
IF you are sure the Mac drivers and software are decent for this scanner.

Thanks Doug, that is a very good point and, no, I'm not sure. (Anyone...?)

I think the new scanner route, with up-to-date technology & connections,
will probably be the easiest & most straightforward option; matching new
kit to legacy stuff always seems to have pitfalls.

It's just that I'm a bit wary that I might be disappointed with the scan
quality drop I might get once I take it.

Cheers,
Robin McInnes
Cheshire, UK

-Si non confectus, non reficiat-

 

[Robin McInnes]

Here is a link to Ratoc adapters, they have a USB/SCSI and a Firewire?
SCSI adapter. Which ever way you go doesn't ensure your scanning
software will work with the scanner. Specs seem to suggest that using
Vuescan 8.04 or above will work with the combination. If you don't
have Vuescan it's $89.00 for the Pro version, this drives up the total
money output up.
http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/index.html#P_UltraSCSIConverter
You might consider the Epson V700/V750.
Link to reviews:
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Menus/reviews_frame.htm

Thanks Terry. Yes, it was the Ratoc FR1SX adapter to which I was
referring. $89 (approx £45) in the US, or £85 from the only UK retailer...

Cheers,
Robin McInnes
Cheshire, UK

-Si non confectus, non reficiat-

 

[dennis@home]

a) Six years old
b) 128MB RAM
c) Celeron processor (slow... but thorough )
d) Barely runs WinXP
e) Even less barely runs Photoshop

Need I say more?

It runs the scanner.
Does it need to do more?
USB flash drives are interchangeable between PCs and MACs so file transfer
should be easy.