7 Top Film Scanners

	For color accuracy, we analyze the scan of a calibrated IT-8 target on color slide film.

The Nikon CoolScan 4000 ED (about $1,700, street price) has several standout features APS or 35mm film users. It features extremely high resolution, excellent image quality, fast scan times, multisampling, and Digital ICE cubed. But you'll need a computer with an IEEE1394 (Firewire) connection. Note:we decided to include a 7th scanner test as we went to press. That's why we only mention 6 on the cover. Which one? We're not telling!

HOW WE TEST FILM SCANNERS
Film scanners vary widely in their resolution, image quality, and features. We determine a scanner's resolution based on analysis of 35mm film test targets (color slide, color negative, and black and white negative) that we generated at the POP PHOTO lab. Our reported resolution is for color slide and negative film. Our color accuracy test is based on standards developed by the International Color Consortium (ICC) that allow us to measure, objectively and with fine precision, the color accuracy of any film or flatbed scanner. In this test, we used an industry standard IT-8 test target recorded on Kodak Ektachrome 100 film. This target was scanned and the resulting digital colors were compared to the actual CIE L a*b* reference colors of the original slide using analysis software from GretagMacbeth. The res-ulting Delta E ratings give us an objective and consistent indication of a scanner's color accuracy, as well as its color strengths and weaknesses. (A Delta E of one corresponds to a just noticeable difference between colors when viewed under controlled lighting conditions by a viewer with excellent color vision.) If the scanner shipped with color profiles or with software that generates profiles, we used these profiles in Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and then tested the resulting image. When a raw scan was more accurate (as it was in a few cases using factory profiles) we report the highest accuracy achieved.

FILM VS. DIGITAL: AN UPDATE
Every time we test a new digital camera (and there are a lot of impressive ones out there)we wonder if we'll ever see one that matches the high resolution and image quality of a typical film-based camera. Despite misleading claims to the contrary, the latest 2.1, 3.3, and high-end 4MP digital cameras do not capture as much detail as an average 35mm SLR, a decent 35mm or APS point and shoot, or even the best single use cameras. Sure, you can get full frame 5x7- or 8x10-inch print out of some digital cameras. But when it comes to making 11x14 inch or larger prints, or to cropping your images, digital cameras are not up to the challenge.

In other words: Dollar for dollar, film remains the highest resolution image capture medium.

If you compared the scans you get on Picture CDs to those from a high res digital camera, you probably wouldn't agree. That's because Picture CD scans are fairly low in resolution (they're scanned at only 1,000 ppi res) and should look fuzzier than a shot from a 2.1 or higher megapixel camera. Even the best 4000 ppi scanners we've tested aren't capable of capturing all the detail found in a 35mm color original under optimum conditions (tripod, mirror lock up, etc.). In our tests, the highest res we've found in a 35mm color slide or negative is 77 lp/mm. The best 4000 ppi scanner can capture about 60 lp/mm, about 25% lower. But that's perfect, because under normal shooting conditions (i.e., handheld instead of tripod mounted), 60 lp/mm is about the best you'll ever get from an SLR. Meanwhile, you might be able to get 40 lp/mm from a top single use camera (in bright light), but a 4 MP digital camera delivers only 27 lp/mm res.

Click here for our 7 TOP FILM SCANNERS TESTED