Imacon 646?

They express the speed in terms of 40MB/min (646) and 100MB/min (848). Weird. Anyhow, I don't find them to be neither flex nor tight :-)

The spec's I heard about the 848 (and the speeds I do get pretty much on my 848) is 50mb a minute which is pretty fast. Your mileage may vary. Even if the 646 is half that (25mb a minute), that's not bad. Used to take 30 minutes to make a scan at 4000ppi on the old Leaf depending on the lens settings.

I'll try to time my 646 next time.

But one of the posters observed these are pricey beasts - but very easy to use, and consistently producing pleasing results for me (compared to a Epson 4870 I was using - I was wrestling with that thing to get consistently good scans).

All that said, the 646 I got because I need to scan larger than medium format (Polaroid negs and 4x5" sheet film). The Imacon 323 does 35mm and medium format it seems - maybe that is a better choice?

Hi,

Thanks for the answers, I know the price of the Imacon's not in euro though, in the UK the 646 is now 6000 pounds.

I also know the specs, but wonder what 40 mb translates into in average scanning time. I dont however understand the finer workings of these scanners - what the difference is between the 646 and the 848 except speed, batch scanning and dpi, and was wondering if thats all there is to it - with such a big investment want to make sure it is right.

Beepy, i would really appreciate if you could give me those times, with the settings, just to have an idea... The problem with the 343 is the dpi, for 35mm its just too small, otherwise i would be getting that!

thanks, anna

Take a look at the new Creo iQ2smart (www.creo.com) . It's supposed to easily beat the Imacon 848 according to one review...if I find it again I will post it.

Imacon 848- 35mm-8000dpi (Portrait) and 5000dpi (landscape mode), 6x7-3200dpi, 4x5-2040dpi.

Creo- does 5500dpi flat across all film formats optically from 35mm to 8x10. Has oil mounting capability when enlargements greater then 800%. Cost $10k US! I haven't investigated it extensively, youmight want to check it out. Sorry forgot to check out the Dmax for both machines.

Forgot to mention the creo is a pro class "flatbed" CCD scanner.

I've used the Imacon 646 and the Creo iQsmart1. My take on them;

Imacon 646 (CCD Scanner, from 35mm to 5*10" trannie/ reflective)

- easy to use, film holders are magnetic, hold film flat and well constructed. No glass between lens and film path.

- The unit has a small footprint and sits nicely on a desk, within arms reach.

- Speed is acceptable, and it's not too noisy either.

- Software is available for Mac and PC and is really easy to use. has dust and scratch removal module as well. It used to be an add-on, I've heard it comes with the 646 now.

- Scans were excellent, good shadow detail and accurate colours.

- I was scanning 120 film (6*6 and 6*17), you can batch the 6*6 but only 3 at a time. It can get tedious if you have 1000's of scans to do. 35mm is better, you can get 12 up at once and batch them.

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Creo iQsmart1 - 11*17" FlatBed scanner (newer than Imacon 646)

- Flatbed scanner, has anti-newton glass bed.

- Software is excellent, but no dust and scratch removal. There is an add-on workflow module that let's you colour correct while the scanner is scanning but it costs extra, about US$1500-2000.

- I found the scans (from the same negs as the Imacon scans) to be a bit dull/washed out, not sure if the Anti-Newton Glass has anything to do with it.

- It's a HUGE device! You will need a large, sturdy desk to place it on.

- It's fast.

- Software is available on PC but a Mac version is recommended.

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The 646 is not a Bad Buy. You really have to go have a demo with each of these scanners, scan the same trannies / negs on each one and look at them sided by side on your screen and have good prints made (lightjets). I have not used the 848, it is a 'better' scanner (faster, actively cooled CCD, more resolution and DMax) but it is more money. It all depends on you, what do you want to do? Scan a few images well, or scan thousands in a production type environment? How much space do you have in your house? Do you like to use oil in scanning to get rid of dust / scratch (for the Creo). The software is a VERY important consideration too. There's never a clear answer as we're all different! Go and test them, you'll get a sense of preference right away.

If you're in the UK, ICG out of Bristol do a great drum scanner which would be about the same price if not less, but the software is OS9 only.

Happy hunting.