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Evangelical Zeal Part 2 (Revenge of the computer nerds!!!) - part 4 of 1 2 3 4 5

by Damian McGillicuddy Published 01/02/2001

The main turn off when it came to the dual platen devices was that they were both optically "challenged" in the genuine dpi stakes. Always remember no matter how good the algorithm is; interpolation is always just a "best guest". So basically file size and the amount of enlargement potential was a little limited.

However it was in this testing stage I received my third "Digital revelation" (let me hear that Hallelujah). The Microtek package had come bundled with an additional driver software, "Silverfast Ai" by the German company Lasersoft.

This IS a major revelation; but more of this later.

Undeterred by my findings I moved on with my quest and took a look at the Minolta roll film scanner. Before testing began I had surmised that this beast would probably be the one for me. So as soon as I had collected the machine I shot off to Chris Bebbs studio, he was a full half hours drive nearer to West's than my studio, so in I "crashed" taking the place over. This actually isn't as bad as it sounds, Chris was as keen as I to see what the Minolta could do.

Now, I'm un - sure whether it was the build up I gave it or my lack of knowledge on the subject but the ultimate fact was I was disappointed with the scan quality, it was tres "noisy". Please bear in mind that at this stage my knowledge in scanning and digital matters was limited to say the least. However, that was a factor we wanted to take into account.

Part of my early specification was that it had to give goodish results straight out of the box and be intuitive to use. Later demo's of the original "Multi" only went to underline my initial impressions.

To be honest at this stage I was beginning to think a good quality, budget (ish), digital solution was harder to find than the Holy grail.... Then as luck would have it (a commodity that can be self manufactured) I was introduced to the legendary Mike McNamee, editor of "Digital Photographer" magazine. Boy he didn't know what hit him!!! Mike, obviously reeling from my initial barrage of questions, was daft enough to invite me to their offices. Needles to say I jumped at the chance!


I'm grateful to Mike for this opportunity and even more so for his guidance regarding resolution, file size work flow etc. , etc. He cleared up the majority of my misconceptions and generally sorted me out with the basics so I understood a little more.

I'd been invited to the magazines offices because they had on test both Agfa's and Epson's latest offerings. Mike wanted a "traditional" photographers prospective for his article and was sure I'd see what I was after in the form of the Agfa kit.

Fortunately for me Mike couldn't get the sample Agfa (the HiD) to work so we moved on to the Epson. This was the start of my love affair with the best Epson had to offer, the Expression 1600 pro.

As soon as the scan of my coloured model, Uta, (Hi Uta) hit the screen I was very impressed; when it rolled of the printer I was "Blown away"! Subsequent test scans proved that first impressions were no fluke, I was hooked and I wanted one.


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1st Published 01/02/2001
last update 09/12/2022 14:54:02

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