For some time I've had a PrimeFilm PF1800AFL film/slide scanner on hand
but not installed. 

Our recent discussions about converting slides to digital led to comments
about film scanners.  ... I decided that it was time to install my film scanner. 

Here are some of the issues that have come up ...

1.  microsoft Windoze ME does not allow 2 image scanners to be attached
at the same time. 

1a. I have no idea why they thought that was a good implementation. 

1b. Later versions of Windoze may not have that limitation -- YMMV. 

2.  It was necessary to remove the cable to my hp 3970 flatbed scanner
in order to get the film scanner software to install. 

2a. Thereafter, it was necessary to firmly insert the USB cable and (especially)
the power cable into the scanner to make it work again ... after seating that
power cable properly, the scanner worked and I stopped tearing my hair out!!!
(in the computer business, we call that 'operator error' ... LOL)

2b. No amount of software fiddling would allow both scanners to be cabled up
to the PC at the same time. 

2c. In order to switch between the scanner and the film scanner, rebooting
the PC seems to be necessary, in addition to removing cables. 

1. The only control switch on the film scanner is the power switch. 

3a.  That might seem like a good idea ... until you find that you can't get a
film scan to start.  It turns out that firmly pushing the film into the scanner
is what gets it going.  (another instance of 'operator error')

3b. It is possible to load film into the scanner even though the software
won't run because the flatbed was cabled up at the same time. 

3c. Since the only switch is power on/off, the film scanner software must be
running to click an 'eject' icon to get the film out of the unit.  Clever, no???

4.  Dust scans very well. 

5.  You will probably have to fiddle with the color balance controls in the
scanner software for each frame. ... OTOH, it's worth the effort. 

I'll try to make additional errors for your edification and amusement -- that
way you won't have to make so many of your own.  LOL

--
Martin

Sorry - I'm chuckling - can't help it ;-) Especially #4!

I'd say get XP (it doesn't care WHAT you have plugged, or how many), but I'm not sure you can buy it anymore (think I've only found Vista for sale). Just checking - would a USB Hub work, or is it a matter of ME (when it CAME OUT everyone said it was a useless OS - yet they kept selling it!) recognizing that there's another one "right now" and it freaks out on you?

#5 - I've yet to find a desktop film scanner that handled colors well - even "workable" - without some serious tweaking. The good news is that most often you can save the Settings and recall them for shots taken close to the same way (Velvie film sunset shots - you might be able to save a setting for just those kinda thing).

Does it operate through Photoshop, possibly? Every scanner I've used had some form of plugin for Photoshop - like TWAIN Drivers for Epson - and when you complete a scan it goes immediately intro PS. Anything like that?

In PS, try going to File>Import> - and you should hopefully see the Driver listed there.

Good luck - hope you still have hair left!
-Lew ;-)

thundering1 was wondering,

get XP [snip] but I'm not sure you can buy it anymore

You could still get XP pro from DirectDeals http://directdeals.com/ for ~ $135
-- if you really wanted to do that.  LOL

OTOH, now that it has been superceded, I'll probably use my extra copy when
I build my next PC.  LOL

would a USB Hub work,

No. 

or is it a matter of ME

No ... it's a Windoze limitation -- only one scanner to a configuration.  My
guess is that someone was afraid that a PC would not be able to keep up
with the data flow from 2 scanners operating at the same time. 

If anyone has a better explanation, I would be delighted to hear it. 

colors [snip] tweaking [snip] most often you can save the Settings and
recall them

The software for the PrimeFilm doesn't seem to have that option. 

On a go forward basis, would a shot of a grey card per roll help? 

How would that work?  (procedure?)

Does it operate through Photoshop, possibly?

If the other scanner is not attached:  yes

If the other scanner is attached, Photoshop locks up ... three finger salute, etc. 

hope you still have hair left!

Oh yes ... here is an example ...

On the way to Bonnie Brae (June, 2001)
http://www.users.nac.net/mdiehl/kilt/BonnieBrae.htm

I admit, it's not a current picture; styling is now different; but you get the idea. 

--
Martin

I dunno - I'm running XP Media Center and I have a Nikon 8000 and an Epson 2450 - it's gotta be ME doing this to you.

PS locks up - OUCH!! (you sure you still have hair left?)

Like the pics - admit it - you win the Caber Toss every year, don't you? You know you do!
-Lew ;-)