Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Ebay

Summary:
Yes, only $450!! I really wasn''t sure what to expect after this monster went from one coast to another and across a border. Fortunately the unit was well cared for and survived FedEx. Unfortunately I didn''t get the Binuscan software with my unit. I am use to Polaroid''s software (SS35+) so I had no problems with setup or scanning. The 12 bit per color scans into Photoshop are extremely accurate. I find I need not make as many adjustments as I''ve had to do with the SS35+. Sharpness @ 2000ppi is the same as the SS35+ at 2000ppi - I''m very pleased about this as I was dissapointed with the sharpness of my medium format scans on my Epson 1640SU flatbed (with transparancy adapter). I had read ealier reviews of this product which faulted the film holders as cumbersome; this comment might apply in a production environment, but I found the holders to be quite workable. One thing I do not like is having to cut my medium format negatives into single frame strips for the film holders. There is no 645 holder, but it is easy to make a cardboard insert that works with the 4x5 holder. I''m not using this scanner for 35mm, but when I did my comparison scans, I noticed that it is too easy to load the slides incorrectly and end up with poor sharpness. RTFM.

Strengths:
Color accuracy Sharpness

Weaknesses:
Desktop b (usedulk Single frame 120 (you are forced to cut up negative strips into single frames)

Similar Products Used:
Polaroid Sprintscan 35 plus Epson 1640SU (flatbed with transp. adapt.)

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $5800.00 from B+H photo NYC

Summary:
The software seems solid. No bugs. Does not come with a SCSI card. Over all loading slides are solid, must be sure to keep 6X7 film flat using supplied magnets. The images never seem to be really sharp. I have focused manually, (opening the unit)and it has improved, still need to sharpen in Photoshop. Usually scan at the highest resolution and can produce great quality for Magazine covers, and decent quality for larger prints 30"X35" and over etc. DOES NOT have Win XP support. Polaroid said they were having problems getting it to be bug free. Hopefully soon, for now I''m still using it with my old PII 266 with 128MB Ram (Win 95b.) and it scans relatively fast, 5-6Min for 6X7 scan. Must use P4 2.2 1Gig to work on it in Photoshop though. For 35mm work it doesn''t seem to be the best. Good results with medium format. Just seems to have a focus issue.

Strengths:
Solid film holder. Relatively fast, good software.

Weaknesses:
Semi soft looking scans. Internal mirror may be slightly out of it''s mount. No Windows XP support yet.

Similar Products Used:
HP Photosmart.

Customer Service:
Pretty good.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Model Reviewed:
SprintScan 45i Multi-Format Film Scanner

Summary:
Very, very expensive technology. Professional device. But, the way to go to get medium format and 35 mm scans at high resolution.

Strengths:
Fast, accurate scans, software is good as well. Handles multiple formats which was crtical for my company's publishing needs.

Weaknesses:
Monster and expensive.

Similar Products Used:
First scanner

Customer Service:
Not used.