New Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III Film Scanner

September 25, 2002 –Minolta is expanding its film scanner line with the release of the affordable DiMAGE Scan Dual III. But don’t let the price tag fool you. The DiMAGE Scan Dual III produces high-quality scans that rival or surpass more expensive scanners.

With 16-bit A/D conversion and a 4.8 dynamic range, the DiMAGE Scan Dual III will reproduce the rich variations in tone and color of the original film image. 16-bit A/D conversion is able to distinguish 65,536 tonal gradations for each color channel. The ability to capture the depth and subtly of the original film image is breathtaking.

The scanner’s dynamic range is 4.8. This range indicates the ability of the scanner to record the density range of the film. The DiMAGE Scan Dual III can reproduce all the fine tones in slide film from the rich shadows to the brilliant highlights. Multi-sample scanning further improves the scan data by reducing random noise.

Accurate color reproduction between the computer and its output devices, the monitor or printer, is absolutely necessary for high-quality image processing. The DiMAGE Scan Dual III color matching function can specify the color space of the scanned image as well as employ the monitor’s ICC profile.

The real test for a film scanner is how well it can produce an image from color negative film. Because of the film’s inherent latitude and the differences between the densities and contrast of the cyan, magenta, and yellow layers, scanning can be a challenge. The DiMAGE Scan Dual III uses state-of-the-art negative-to-positive conversion technology to ensure effortless reproduction of these types of films.

Efficiency and simplicity characterize the operation of the DiMAGE Scan Dual III. The point-AF function allows the scanner to be focused by simply clicking on the area of the image to be used to determine focus. Auto loading allows hand-free operation once the film holder is inserted into the scanner. Specific image-processing settings can be saved as a Job and reapplied to any image.

Batch processing large numbers of images is simplified and streamlined. The Auto Dust Brush eliminates the affect of any dust or dirt that settles on the film. The Custom Wizard automates the scanning process for multiple images; images can be selected and image processing and color matching can be applied. Custom Wizard settings can be saved and reused again and again. And the scanner’s USB 2.0 interface makes transferring the large volume of image data a breeze.

Those new to scanning or image processing will find the DiMAGE Scan Dual III so easy to use that they may wonder why they didn’t do this before. The Pixel-Polish tab allows automated or custom corrections to be made to an image; custom corrections are made by selecting straightforward parameters in the window. The Easy Scan Utility simplifies the scanning procedure for those new to scanning and image processing. The scanner’s hot-plug interface makes connecting it to a computer as easy as plugging in the USB cable. And the main switch is conveniently located on the front panel.

A wide range of image-processing controls gives everyone, regardless of ability or experience, the tools to enhance or manipulate images. The variation palette makes adjusting color, brightness, contrast, and saturation easy by simply choosing the best image from a group of slightly corrected samples. These qualities can also be adjusted using palettes with sliders and input boxes. For advanced image processing, color and contrast can be adjusted using tone curves and histograms or calibrated by defining the white, gray, and black points within the image. And for creative effects, the hue, saturation, and lightness palette permits the colors in an image to be rotated and shifted within the color space.

The DiMAGE Scan Dual III makes high-quality scanning affordable. But the results will be priceless.

For more information, consumers can visit Minolta’s Web Site located at http://www.minolta.com.

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