Digital Prints

did when viewing the film on the light box. I like working with this wide palette to realize my
vision in the final print.”
While there are still plenty of drum scanners around in specialty imaging centers, pre-press
shops, and service bureaus, there are now more scanning alternatives for photographer-artists.
Film Scanners
These specialized desktop scanners have become very popular with photographers who want
to do their own scanning of negatives or transparencies. Film scanners have taken over the position
of drum scanners for many wanting high-quality scans. Instead of the light moving past
the original on a spinning drum, here the film moves ever-so-slightly past the light source,
which with many brands is a cold-cathode, mercury fluorescent lamp, or, in other cases, an
array of LEDs. Depending on the price, film scanners can handle 35mm up to 4 × 5-inch sizes.
Because film has to be enlarged more than prints, and also because film has a wider density
range and more contrast, most film scanners have correspondingly higher optical resolutions.
A maximum resolution of 4000 dpi is standard for many desktop film scanners
with others going even higher.
A different type of film scanner is made by Denmark’s Imacon, and their Flextight models
have a unique way to handle the artwork (several models also scan reflective prints).
The film is bent in a drum-like shape except there is no drum! There’s only air between
the sensor and the film, which is held in place by its edges. They call it a “virtual drum,”
and there’s no need for the mounting liquids, gels, or tape that drum scanners require. The
resolution is high (up to 8000 dpi, non-interpolated) and with a price tag to match.
Other desktop film-scanner makers include: Nikon, Canon, Microtek, and Polaroid.
Upgrading Your Scanner Software: The software provided with the scanner you purchase
usually does a fine job. However, some have found that separate third-party software
does even better. The two most popular scanner software applications are VueScan
and SilverFast.
Chapter 3 ■ Creating and Processing the Image 87
Two of Konica Minolta’s 35mm film
scanners: left: DiMAGE Scan Elite
5400 with an impressive 5400-dpi
optical resolution and built-in Kodak
DIGITAL ICE image correction; right:
DiMAGE Scan Dual IV with 3200-dpi
resolution and Digital Grain Dissolver.
Courtesy of Konica Minolta Photo
Imaging USA