I use a Nikon 4000. I also have an Epson Expression 1640 XL which, as
I have it configured, does scan transparencies as well as print
material. It employs Silverfast software. Going to their web site, I
discovered they have software for my Nikon scanner as well as many
other scanners. I''ve replaced the Nikon software with Silverfast.
The difference is quite amazing. The other question is how much
scanning do you plan to do? The software is fairly expensive as was
the Nikon scanner when I bought it.

Another thing to consider is a device Nikon make that allows the
scanner to be loaded with a batch of slides. Otherwise one is doing
the scanning one at a time, a laborious and time consuming process if
you have a lot of slides.

Are the slide mounts cropping the slides? Many do. If this is the
case, you may need to remove some of the mounts before scanning.

Malcolm Smith.


On Mar 1, 2010, at 9:12 AM, Shai Drori wrote:

> After following the threads, I am starting a new one. I am about to
> purchase a slide scanner and was thinking about ebaying a nikon for
> 500-600$. A friend loaned me his epson perfection 4990 photo for
> testing and I was not impressed at all. The scans were dull, grainy
> and full or white dots and hair lines. Am I doing something wrong?
> Has anyone used the Pacific Scan products? It is rated at 3600dpi
> optical at 48 bit. I would like something that can output pro
> quality files if needed.
> Shai
>