[filmscanners] bottom-line, real-world answers on firewire 35mm film scanners for mac

["" <Trocoazone@aol.com>]

    i’ve been researching firewire 35mm film scanners for mac. have read 
conflicting opinions; getting more input. can anyone give me a real-world, 
hands-on rating of the nikon super coolscan 4000ED vs. polaroid sprintscan 
4000plus vs. microtek artixscan 4000TF vs. minolta dimage scan elite II? is 
this microtek model IDENTICAL internally to this polaroid model or are any 
differences negligible? from all the specs i could track down, they look 
close. seems since polaroid is on shakey ground, one may as well consider the 
artixscan. or not? or another?
    also, does anyone have an insider email address to minolta’s film scanner 
engineering/development dept? sure would be nice if they made a unit to 
compete in this range. the minolta dimage scan elite II has gotten good 
reviews, but, of course, it’s only 2820dpi. the dimage scan multi  pro 
4800dpi is too expensive just for 35mm film.
    things that have muddied the waters in my decision-making process:  
real-world scanning speeds vs. claims. color management claims. amb
iguous/non-standardized values/scales - eg, Dmax, dynamic range, 
optical density, maximum density - eg, microtek touts 4.3 Maximum Optical 
Density, 4.2 Dmax, 3.8D maximum density. merits of digital ICE, ROC, GEM vs. 
limitations/faults. CCD/cold-light illumination source vs. collimated source. 
42-bit A/D conversion vs 48-bit output. minolta unit's 48-bit A/D, 4.8 
dynamic range, unknown Dmax, 2820dpi vs microtek unit's 42-bit A/D, ambiguous 
3.8-4.3 density, 4.2 Dmax, 4000dpi. PolaColor Insight Pro 5.5 vs. ScanWizard 
Pro 6 TX vs. Dimage Scan software vs. Nikon Scan 3.1.3. SilverFast Ai 5.5 vs. 
hamrick vuescan. looking for cut-to-the-chase, bottom-line, real-world 
answers. thanks much!

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