Airbus wrote:
In article ,
says...


Airbus wrote:
What's the consensus, as we close 2008?
Anyone still using drum scanners with PMT tubes?
Any particular reason, from a photographer's point of view, why this
technology is still pertinent, or do most users fee that fletbed
scanners have come to where they can replace this older technology?

[...]

For some reason, you leave out the dedicated film scanners with
CCDs, which fill the gap between these two. Flatbeds are the low-end
of these three options.


Well here you can correct me as I thought these were essentially the
same as flatbed scanners (also CCD) with the addition of plastic
trays and holders to make it easier to position the film on the
flatbed, but in performance besically the same thing.

The question becomes to what extent software management can overcome
the intrinsic drawbacks of CCD arrays (noise, resolution which "is
what it is") to the point of rivaling the very old, analog tube with
intrinsically superior sensitivity characteristics, but which is a
pain in the but to manage. . . Are we there yet?

A lot depends on what kind of result you want or need. Regarding such things
as resolution, color integrity, and dynamic range, a typical CCD film
scanner outperforms the best flatbeds. PMT drum scanners outperform the best
dedicated CCD film scanners, but not everyone requires these that of
performance, and many are satisfied with the results from their flatbeds.
For example, if your intention is to use the scans on the web, a flatbed is
the best choice, but if your intention is to get the maximum enlargement
possible, the PMT or dedicated film scanners are the best choices.

Another consideration is the film size. For 35mm, the CCD film scanners are
far better than flatbeds, but for 4x5, your choices are much more limited,
and for 8x10, it's either flatbed or PMT, AFAIK.


Ancillary question, not without importance - is anyone still making
PMT-based drum scanners? Anyone know what PMT devices they are using?

For many, the difference in quality between a dedicated CCD film scanner and
a PMT drum scanner is not great enough to warrant the extra cost and hassle.
That doesn't mean that there isn't a difference, but it does reduce the size
of the market for PMT scanners.

--
Neil