I've used Serif PhotoPlus in preference to Photoshop for several years, although both will do the job you need. I'd recommend downloading the free version of PhotoPlus from the link below and see what you think.

http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/pageplus/index.asp?SP=G305_UK&gclid=CI...

Good luck

Al

Congratulations, Mongoose, and good job, John -- I'm sure your clients were delighted. It's strange seeing a wedding devoid of kilts. We're awash with them north of the border. Sadly, most are rented and don't fit properly, which gives us all a cheap laugh down the pub when they're hosting a wedding reception.

Al

Interesting, although the webite says they're not compatible with the K10, K20 or K-7.

Al

So does the rather underrated MZ-M. It doesn't have the weighty, solid feel of earlier models but does a good job.

Al

If you find a good deal on one of these scanners without an LCD screen, don't dismiss it. The screen is useful only if you don't use a computer or if you want to do your scanning away from a computer. The image appears on your computer screen, and at higher resolution than the LCD can muster.

Al

I should clarify that I was talking about touchpad problems associated with the NB200 series. Other Tosh products have a super reputation.

Al

I picked up a Toshiba NB200 netbook a few months ago and the screen's fine, although it has some touchpad issues that make me wary of recommending that range.

Al

I used tungsten-to-daylight filters with film regularly and the results seemed far more predictable and satisfactory than setting the white balance to tungsten with digital. Sadly, I've lost my 80A filters so can't make a direct comparison now. The downside with filters is the loss of the couple of stops. Instinctively, I can see Smeggy's point but perhaps technology has overtaken us.

Al

The Plustech models have got some pretty good reviews from the camera mags and certainly represent the best bang for the buck. The dynamic range is borderline for slides, apparently, but they do a decent job with negs. The big-name scanners will handle it better, presumably, but at a price unless you can find a reconditioned one. Incidentally, I picked up a Tevion film "scanner" (aka Veho and others) in Aldi the other day because I was curious what sort of scanner -- although it's basically a 5MP digicam with a close-up lens -- you can get for £34. You get a £34 scanner, it turns out -- pooor sharpness, some CA and a colour cast. With a lot of post processing (although I don't know why you'd want to process a post), you can get away with a 5x7 print if you're prepared to settle for less than perfection. Probably good enough for copying old negs from the family album and other less-critical work.

Edited because my post was probably a little harsh.

Al







Al

My old Vivitar 283, made in Japan, checks in at 250+ volts and I wouldn't dream of connecting it directly to a modern camera. Later 283s, made in Vietnam and China, apparently have lower voltages and would be safe. I imagine the same might be true of the 285. The only sure way to find out is with a voltmeter. It does seem hard to track down someone whose camera has actually fried. You'd thing at least one person on the internet would have had this problem if it existed. But I'm not prepared to take the chance.

Season's greetings

Al