Minolta is extending its film scanner line with the introduction of the attractively priced DiMAGE Dual Scan III. With 16 bit A/D conversion, a dynamic range of 4.8 and black-based negative to positive conversion, reproduction quality is extremely high. A software package which includes a dust remover and automatic image correction, together with USB 2.0-compatible connection for high speed data transfer, make the DiMAGE Dual Scan III a strong contender for amateur photographers and business users alike.

Quality to be seen
With its 16-bit A/D conversion, the DiMAGE Scan Dual III is able to distinguish 65,536 tonal gradations for each colour channel. The result is an image which faithfully reproduces the depth and subtly of the original film. Having improved the dynamic range of its predecessor, the Scan Dual II, from 3.6 to 4.8, Minolta's latest addition reproduces all the fine tones in slide film from the rich shadows to the brilliant highlights. Image quality has also been increased when scanning negatives, thanks to improved black-based negative to positive conversion techniques.
The DiMAGE Scan Dual III addresses the all-important area of colour reproduction between the computer and the monitor or printer. With the scanner's colour matching function the colour space of the scanned image can be specified, and the monitor's ICC profile can be employed.

Ease of use for efficient and productive scanning
The user-friendly features of the DiMAGE Scan Dual III make scanning easy, fast and efficient. Batch processing large numbers of images is simplified and streamlined, for example, by the Auto Dust Brush feature which eliminates the effects of any dust or dirt which has settled on the film.
For those new to scanning the Easy Scan utility simplifies the scanning procedure and image processing, and the scanner's hot-plug interface makes connection to a computer as easy as plugging in the USB cable.

The DiMAGE Scan Dual III's image processing functions enable newcomers and old hands alike to enhance and manipulate images quickly and effectively. A Pixel-Polish tab allows automated or custom corrections to be made to an image; custom corrections are made by selecting straightforward parameters in the viewing window. The variation palette makes adjusting colour, 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, colour and contrast can be adjusted using tone curves and histograms or calibrated by defining the white, grey, and black points within the image. And for creative effects, the hue, saturation, and lightness palette permits the colours in an image to be rotated and shifted within the colour space.

Minolta Digital Imaging at Photokina
The DiMAGE Scan Dual III can be seen, together with Minolta's complete range of digital imaging products, in Cologne at Photokina in Hall 1.2, stand G18.