Hi there!

There are several 2.5" hdd solutions.

Personally, I like the look of the Apacer CP100 which burns straight to CD-R or CD-RW. Also includes 12V car battery lead. Try here: http://www.ephotozineshop.com/photo/flashcards/mass.html

BTW, February's EPhotozine competition is for a CP200 - theme "Technology". www.ephotozine.com

Hope that helps
Matt

Malcolm,

SRS Microsystems are showing the CS205 (for MZ6, it says) for £24.99 - http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk - not sure about their stock levels.

Matt

Hi Ava,

Yes, as Malcolm said, the CS205 is the right wired remote (0.5m cable). It plugs into the little 2.5mm connector (like a small headphone socket) on the bottom left of the *istD. (If anyone's electronically minded, it's just a simple 2.5mm stereo connector - I gave the pinouts on another thread: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/ftopic266.html&highlight=cs205)

You can also do it with the InfraRed remote, but I would stick to the wired remote for "serious" work. The CS205 has a "lock" setting so you don't have to wear your finger out holding the button down!

FYI, The CS205 is also used by the MZ-7.

Matt

Lurach,

Vuescan can already process the *istD data. However, the colours are all off as it needs an ICC profile to work it out.

I have managed to get an IT8 target, have had a go at profiling, but haven't had the time to finish the job off. Once done, the profile will allow for accurate colour within Vuescan, and also with dcRAW (which Vuescan uses the code from).

Matt

Hi Lurach!

First thing, I don't know whether there are any features disabled in the preview version (apart from the watermarking). I have the Pro edition - have had it longer than I can remember, and Ed Hamrick has been a star

My general workflow for the Nikon Coolscan IV is as follows (when scanning to JPG. I am only just moving to raw and TIFF ):
* Output | printed size to Scan Size
* Output | JPEG quality to 93 (gives a pretty good result for me)

* Input | Scan task = scan to file
* Input | Scan quality = archive
* Input | Scan Mode = 35mm slide / 35mm negative
* Input | Media Type = Image (for slides - scans what you see on the slide) / Color Negative (for film)

* Filter | IR clean = Light (only visible on IR enabled scanners)
* Filter | Grain Reduction = Light
* Filter | Sharpen off

* Color | Color balance = neutral (keeps image as is - nice for slides like Provia)
* Color | Output Color space = Adobe RGB (if printing) otherwise sRGB

(If scanning film)
* Color | Negative Vendor = GENERIC (start with this)
You can also check in the manual for some of the more popular film types and correlate the colour bands/markers on the negative strip and select the appropriate entry on Vuescan. You really need to just try it out.

In my experience, I find that Provia, Velvia, Sensia can all be scanned straight with almost no tweaking. You can rattle off a roll easily and use the "Auto scan" option too. With negative film, it takes a little care getting the parameters right for the roll, but then you can just scan the whole roll with the same settings.

The manual says that RAW scan mode produces a TIFF file output Once scanned, you can load them by selecting "Scan From" and choosing File. In fact, this is the way Vuescan handles digital camera raw files too (including the *istD)

It is preferable to calibrate the scanner first (I found the Coolscan a bit blue). You may find a general ICC profile for your scanner, and then load this up in Vuescan by setting the Color | Scanner color space = ICC Profile, and Color | Scanner ICC profile = scanner.icc

Once you get the hang, it's not too bad at all. Use the File | Options to create 'regular' parameters for films you use. Always predictable
Oh yes, always worth checking on line for later versions as Ed is a very responsive programmer - the updates come almost daily!

And finally, there are a couple of helpful tutorials linked from the Vuescan website. Well worth reading carefully

Hope that helps
Matt

PS. I'm in the process of getting the *istD profiled through Vuescan - that should sort all the colours out nicely.

Hi MeAndMyDogMutley,

Here's the link: http://www.pentax.com/docstore/index.cfm?show=6

As George said, it's the ZX50 you are looking for (which I agree, nobody would have guessed - confuses me to pieces).

You can also give Pentax UK a ring- they can sell you a real manual for not too much money. (I think Pentax User can also sell you manuals directly.)

(Just in case you didn't get the link )
Hope your son gets on well with his course

Matt

The ME Super suffers from a fault in the ISO setting dial. When dirt and dust gets inside, it does not form a good enough electrical contact and so meters for some crazy ISO setting like 6400 - making all the exposures black.

A temporary fix is to wiggle the ISO dial. However, eventually the variable resistor inside needs replacing. (I replaced three in total when I had an MEF and an ME Super- it seems somewhat a design flaw.)

Hope that helps,
Matt

Dan,

Try www.asahiphoto.net - seem very helpful.

Matt

Hi Shotgun,

Yes. I saw that one. Interesting, but slow, and expensive.
I'm waiting for Adobe's update on CS, but in the meantime getting to grips with dcRAW.

I think I might have tracked down an IT8 target too, so I can profile the *istD in linear mode

Thanks!
Matt

Can't you "teach" it the code from your Espio remote??
(I too have an Espio remote that works a treat )
Matt