Dedicated slide scanners typically have resolutions that run from 2400 dpi to as much as 4000 dpi, which will handily outperform the average 1200x600-dpi or better flatbed. Flatbed scanners are ideal for letter-size reflective artwork, and are usually adequate for large "medium format" transparencies and negatives, but they often have a problem focusing on 35mm mounted slides and film strips. A good, dedicated film scanner has focusing specifically designed for transparencies.

The new RFS 3600 film scanner from Kodak offers high-resolution of 3600 dpi and a dynamic range of 3.6 with 12-bit color support (12 bits per color of red, green, and blue equals 36-bits, whereas 8-bits per RGB equals 24-bit color). Sporting a cool organic shape with teal metallic and dark gray colors, the RFS 3600 looks right at home with both Mac G3s and G4s as well as the "new-look" PCs. Thankfully nothing is translucent, which would adversely affect the scans. Best of all, it’s really easy to set up and start using.

The front of the unit is straightforward with a slot for loading mounted slides, and a film-strip guide opening on the left side. Above the slide-loader is a window where you can visually align the film frame, making adjustments with back/forward buttons on the unit case. The RFS 3600 only supports 35mm size films, and not the APS format.

The software that controls the scanner loads as a plug-in via the Import command in Photoshop. It has some nice features in addition to the customary color and gamma correction, sharpening, and rotation options.

Across the top are icons for thumbnails of frames on the filmstrip. Two prescan buttons give you the choice of starting with the first frame on a strip and pre-scanning all frames, or prescanning only one frame (or slide). Since the scanner has an out opening on the right for filmstrips, you could feed an entire unmounted slide film roll through the RFS 3600 and prescan every frame. Transport controls at the top mirror the hardware back/forward buttons for moving from frame to frame manually on a strip. The software supports film profiles for calibration with Kodak film types (and others), and you can save your own scan profiles. Separate tabs provide color balance, and levels/curves options.

The software is well thought-out and works well for the most part. Confusion arises only in the "output size" options, which do not initially reflect your desired output size, but rather your image scan size. So, non-intuitively you scan at 100 percent at the dimensions of the film frame (roughly .96x1.44 inches), and then set dpi resolution to that of your output device (such as film separations at 1200 dpi). To set your output size at 2x3 inches, you would have to set the magnify control to 200 percent. However, the documentation is unclear as to whether this output size is arrived at through interpolation. It’s also unclear whether you maintain an optical resolution of 3600 dpi while scanning for 1200-dpi output. You are able to scan for specific output color formats such as CMYK SWOP.