Artixscan 4000tf / Cooscan V / ScanDual IV

[Jerry C.]

I am relatively new to scanning and was thinking of purchasing a new
Dimage ScanDual IV ($290) or Coolscan V ($600), but recently came across
a used Artixscan 4000tf at a reasonable price, well below the Nikon
Coolscan V. This will be used for hundreds of negs and some slides
including Kodachrome. Some of the film is clean and some of it fairly
dirty, as I discovered when scanning some previously. Are there any
known problems or caveats to the Artixscan? I have a Win2000 notebook
with USB 1 and 2. I have no Firewire, but could add it with a PC Card.
I assume this would be important. How does the Aritxscan software and
dust removal compare? Any feedback would be helpful. TIA.

Jerry C.

 

[Al]

I am relatively new to scanning and was thinking of purchasing a new
Dimage ScanDual IV ($290) or Coolscan V ($600), but recently came across
a used Artixscan 4000tf at a reasonable price, well below the Nikon
Coolscan V. This will be used for hundreds of negs and some slides
including Kodachrome. Some of the film is clean and some of it fairly
dirty, as I discovered when scanning some previously. Are there any
known problems or caveats to the Artixscan? I have a Win2000 notebook
with USB 1 and 2. I have no Firewire, but could add it with a PC Card.
I assume this would be important. How does the Aritxscan software and
dust removal compare? Any feedback would be helpful. TIA.

Jerry C.

The Artixscan is 42 bit and the others are 48 bit. It is almost
identical to the Polaroid 4000 so any information about the 4000
probably applies to the Artixscan. Many people have said it's a good
durable machine.

A caveat about the Minolta Dual IV is that it seems to register dust
and scratches more than other scanners. I have speculated that it is
something about the lighting system, but nothing has been published.