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Image and film flatbed scanner

Canon’s new CanoScan 9950F is a feature-rich, 48-bit prosumer product with a lot to offer if you need a combination of image, film, and text scanning along with simple one-button operation (in several functions).

With 4800×9600 resolution and a maximum interpolated dpi of 19,200×19,200 (with software provided), a little fine-tuning for personal preference goes a long way. As a flatbed, the CanoScan 9950F also supports film scanning in sizes up to 4×5″ and it has a unique suite of software tools to do everything from importing to managing images to retouching, restoring, and repairing images. Of course, the results are better with larger originals, but the output is appropriate for its price range.

For film, I used several types of transparencies and negatives. In each case, the scans were clean, although the saturation and contrast were slightly higher than the discriminating eye might prefer; however, these are easily adjusted in the Advanced mode. Calibration is key in producing the best results possible and makes a substantial difference in the output quality. I found that using the Digital ROC, Digital SHO, and Digital GEM plug-ins from Kodak’s Austin Development Center also helped improve the final results when editing the scans in Photoshop: The output was better this way versus using the software provided. One nice software item is the inclusion of Photoshop Elements 2.0 in the bundled titles.

The CanoScan 9950F walks a fine line in the advanced consumer/professional market and, while there are many features in this new model, some of them require an excellent eye and a little time in Photoshop (or the software included) for best results. Given the price point, the Canon 9950F offers very good quality and the potential for a lot of use.

PRICE: $399.99
FOR: Mac and Windows
FROM: Canon USA
PHONE: 800-652-2666
WEB: www.usa.canon.com
RATING: 4.0

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