The Dimage Scan Dual II offers first-time users as well as advanced users an economical and versatile way to scan 35mm and Advanced Photo System film with the optional APS adapter AD-10. This new scanner combines three main features: simple USB connectivity, easy scanning operation, and high-quality images. It offers high-resolution scans up to 2, 820 dpi with 12-bit A/D conversion plus Minolta's newly designed Easy Scan Utility software, continuous scanning, and automatic image correction. These features combined with Minolta's Color Matching System and precise auto-focusing make the Dimage Scan Dual II an ideal choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable scanner.
If you're serious about image scanning, don't give the job to just any old scanner. With its high resolution, 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion, and a 2,820 dpi maximum resolution, Minolta's Dimage Scan Dual II is poised to render sharp, satisfying images from a wide range of film types. Give it positives and negatives in either 35mm or in the Advanced Photo System format--or on mounted 35 mm film slides.
The scanning itself is easy: just load your film into the scanner using the included holder or adapter and make a few quick selections on the scanning software. Whether you're scanning for e-mail, a Web page, or a color print, the scanner automatically prepares the data format for you--and even optimizes image quality. Efficient continuous scanning saves trips to the scanner. The Dimage Scan Dual II is a handy, high-class companion for USB-ready Windows and Macintosh computers.
What's in the Box
Scanner, driver software (Windows TWAIN_32, Macintosh Adobe Photoshop Plug-in, ColorSync profile), 35mm film holder FH-U1, slide mount holder SH-U1, AC adapter (AC-U1), USB cable UC-1, Adobe Photoshop LE, CD-ROM for Dimage Scan Dual II
1 Fantastic Scanner !!!
Scanner gives Great Color and Contrast but the setup seems to take forever, under Win2000 scans terminated if IE/NS Browsers are used. ...,
2 good scans but with different software
I had some difficulty obtaining quality scans with this scanner, and the software wasn't very efficient. Focusing was often inaccurate. However, I tried Viewscan software and the results became very acceptable and fast. 4 slides at 2800 dpi in about 10 minutes. Accurate colors and 8x10 prints are very sharp. I have scanned about 600 slides without a malfunction.
3 Disappointing
I bought this scanner and while pleased with the some of the scans, the software always seems to be locking up and is quite a nuisance. It is currently in the shop being repaired. If the Nikon IV wasn't so much money, I would have dumped it and went with it.
4 Affordable scanner, poor software
The scanner is a decent , affordable package for low volume scanning of 35mm film (APS users add $200 for the APS adapter), but the software is a letdown for any volume scanning.
The software is not fully automated to do volume scanning, requiring manual intervention when saving (e.g. selecting filename and file format).
However, my biggest gripe is that the software does not show you the orientation of each frame without doing a 90sec preview first. When you want to scan 80 rolls of film, I'd rather just skip the preview and get straight to the scan. This sometimes results in upside down or flipped scans as I would have forgotten what orientation each frame was in.
One of the few USB and Macintosh compatible scanners, although more appear to be on the horizon.
5 Excellent value priced scanner
I have now owned this film scanner for nearly a year. I have scanned approximately 150 slides and 50 negatives in this time period. From these files, I have produced 50 8'10 prints using an inexpensive inkjet printer. Every one of these prints is superior to what I would expect to receive from an above-average color photo lab.
The scanner produces sufficiently large files for an 8'10 at 300 dpi. Once you set up the color management options, the software minimizes the need for any major post-processing in a program like photoshop. This is not a fast scanner, but fast scanners producing 4000 dpi cost 3-4 times the price of this unit.
I can recommend this unit to anyone looking for an inexpensive, yet capable film scanner.
6 you get what you pay for....
I was very disappointed in this scanner. It's extremley lightweight and has a cheap feel. When operating, it emits a number of noises and vibrations, all of which reinforce the impression of cheapness. It uses a USB bus, and will operate very slowly unless you can dedicate the bus to it (no mouse, joystick, etc. on the same bus). If operated on a dedicated bus, the actual scan speed is okay, but the preview and focus speeds are still painfully slow. The scan quality was okay, but nothing spectacular. The software wasn't very intuitive, and seemed to get in the way more than help the process.
To make matters worse, the scanner stopped working correctly after only a dozen or so scans. I must now send it off to one of two Minolta service centers to be repaired, paying insured shipping both ways. To be honest, I don't even really want to bother - the scanner is that disappointing. All in all, I wish I had gone with one of the better-known and established names like Nikon or Polaroid.
