Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Conclusions and Recommendations
Canoscan 5000F
HP ScanJet 5550c
Microtek Scanmaker
6800
Epson Perfection 3200
Works Cited

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CANOSCAN 5000F

In this section I will discuss the features of the CanoScan 5000F (see Figure 1).

FIGURE 1

CanoScan 5000F Scanner

Image source: (http://www.usa.canon.com/)

Features include:

• Built in 35mm film adapter for slides and negatives
• Ability to implement FAREä technology*
• Resolution: 2400x4800 dpi
• Max document size of 8.5” x 11.7”
• Interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
• Software: ScanGear CS, CanoScan Toolbox, ArcSoft PhotoStudio, ArcSoft PhotoBase, ScanSoft OmniPage SE OCR, and 30 day trial of NewSoft Presto! PageManager
• 4 buttons: scan, copy, e-mail, and file
• Estimated street price: $199

The film adapter was one of the requirements of a suitable scanner, and the adapter in the lid holds the negatives securely. It is also affordable at $199, and has high resolution and a versatile software bundle.

With such a high resolution and the ability to scan film negatives, the developers felt it would be important to be able to use Canon’s FARE (Film Automatic Retouching and Enhancement) technology (see Figure 2). This used to be available only on the more expensive Canon scanners, ranging from $499 to $999. Tsutomu Takayama, one of the developers, said “dust and scratches on original documents would be picked up easily by a scanner this precise” (Takayama).

FIGURE 2

Before, During, and After FARE Pictures

Image source: (http://www.canon.com/technology/interview/scan/scan_p6.html)

FARE technology depends on an infrared light that detects the imperfections on negatives. Canon also bundles some software making use of this technology to clean up the surfaces of scratched or damaged prints. Sally Grotta, a reviewer on PCMagazine.com said the program to fix up damaged film worked great without increasing contrast or softness, however “the software to remove artifacts from prints is not as effective: It did not clean up [the] scratched print at all” (Grotta, 1).

Richard Jantz gave the CanoScan 5000F 4 ½ stars out of 5. Jantz says, “Crisp color scans that accurately represent the originals help lift the Canon CanoScan 5000F USB above many competing models. In our print and on-screen tests, this scanner reproduced color, contrast, brightness, and saturation--including proper skin tones--exceptionally well, and produced excellent shadow and highlight details” (“Canon”). However, Jantz also says that the CanoScan is “not a speed demon” (“Canon”). See Table 2 for the results of the scan test.

TABLE 2

CanoScan 5000F PC World Scan Test Results