I’ll say this — Digital ICE works (in my Nikon Coolscan III). While images can take longer to scan, you don’t need to spend (as much) time manually fixing the images.
Whether or not *you* will see a $200 difference probably depends on how much your time is worth and how much you scan. If you can save 10 hours fixing photos manually and your time is worth $20/hour, then it’s paid for itself.
One thing I did find on Epson’s new scanner:
Performance is fast, and image quality, with one small exception is superb
Beth,
I’d feel more assured of your scanner plan coming to fruition with an imminent purchase if you’d said "deciding between" rather than "currently comparing"…:) just go for it this time!
Your friend,
Nancy
VERY important for film.
Not so for flat copy.
Note that the flatbeds with ICE mainly only use it for flat copy, last time I noticed.
Mac
Beth,
I have the 3200 Pro, but I wish I had the Digital ICE to save time spent on removing/reducing the dust and minor scartches on the film emulsions. If I were to buy a film scanner, ICE will be a decisive factor.
BTW, the 3200 Pro works beautifully for my needs in film scanning because of I also have 120 films. It even comes with a 4"x5" frame on the same carrier for 120 films.
Shan
Tell ya what, Shan, why don’t you buy yourself a new 4870 and sell your old worn out 3200 Pro to me? 🙂 If one primary advantage of Digital ICE is its ability to remove dust and scratches from emulsion, I really won’t have much need for it. I think I started on my old photo project earlier than some of you, and most of what I have left to do is scanning photographs. I still have a dedicated slide scanner, so that capability within a flatbed will not have much use, although it would be nice to be able to stick an oddball slide or neg in the flatbed and not have to fire up the Windows machine. It sounds to me like I’d be perfectly happy with the 3200 Pro. Thank you! I may e-mail you privately and ask another question or two.
Beth,
Your offer is very tempting. But I can’t afford to upgrade the scanner right now. 🙁 Recent major purchases of a computer and a new buggy for my wife just about cleaned out the piggy bank.
A word of caution about the Digital ICE packaged with the Epson 4870. before I bought the 3200 Pro, I was tempted by the Microtek bundled with ICE. But it was for prints only! I didn’t look through the small prints in the Epson 4870 blurb because of my extra blurry eyesight (due to a bad cold) the last couple of weeks.
My e-address is:- in case you don’t have it in your address book. Please feel free to e-mail me.
Shan
Well, I went ahead and ordered the 3200 Pro today. I decided that since I’d never "wished" for something like Digital ICE that I wouldn’t miss it. Cheaper than the 4870, too! 🙂
Beth
a rebate may still be available for the epson 3200 pro. Cut off date may be 31 March 04.
david
I’ve got to get it in the mail today; I think the cutoff for the one I bought is actually Feb 29! And for $100, I think I’ve even register the letter. 🙂
I love the scanner, but getting the SilverFast Ai up and running was a little tricky. One step of the registration process was left out of the instruction book. Makes it trickier.
