First impressions of this scanner is that it is about twice the size of
the Nikon Coolscan 3 but it is half the price. The build quality looks good and robust and installation of the included pci scsi card was strait forward. Be sure to follow the instructions and cancel out of the new hardware found box.(This found a pci bus controller, which may confuse you) Run the setup programme and reboot, the computer will then find the card and scanner and install the drivers.
Accessing the scanner software is via your image editing software and this package includes some very good software, Photoshop 5.0 LE and Photo Express from Ulead. In Photoshop this is done via the file menu: -import-select twain source, to select your scanner source and then, file menu: -import-twain32, to start up the software.
The MiraPhoto software is fairly easy to get to grips with and the manual
provided all the necessary instructions to get you started.
A word of caution for lower powered pc users, a full 2700 dpi scan at 36 bit, will be 27Mb. This scanned in about a minute but my pc took 4 minutes to import it into Photoshop.(p200mmx,64Mb ram,4Mb Matrox Millenium
graphics card)
My first colour negative scan imported into Photoshop, looked very dark but this seems to be down choosing the right film type. Colour slide scans were impressive for a strait from the box scan. A word on film types listed in the drop down menu, these appear to be American film brand names and a list for the UK would be nice. The generic film type worked well on Kodak film but unbranded film (Such as Jessops) required some tweaking to get good results.
This scanner boosts a better spec. than the Nikon Coolscan 3 at twice the price and includes a scsi card and some decent software. It may not have ICE software for removing dust and scratches but good photographers don't
let their negs and slides get into that condition and I personally will not miss that facility.
My impression is that the scans are excellent, sharp and with good colour balance. I would like to see a direct comparison with other scanners but the magazines seem to be ignoring this excellent package.
Good buy.
UPDATE 2-12-2000
It is now almost a year since I bought this scanner and I have not changed my opinion this is the best value scanner on the market.
It gives impressive results and has not let me down. Visit this site if you are considering buying or have bought one, for some great information on getting the best from this scanner.
www.photoscientia.co.uk

UK price £299
Competition:
Nikon Coolscan LS30, £600 (Pricey in comparison,30 bit scans, but has ICE, good for lots of dirty slides or negs)
Canon Canonscan 2710, £499 (Includes APS adopter, good choice if you use APS & 35mm)
Minolta Scan Dual, £370 (Lower spec. all round but closest in price to the Acer)




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 460
Interface: SCSI