Re: The Great Scanner debate - round one

Barry,

For 4X5 a work the Epson 3200 will do fine.

For 6X6 and 6X9 work the 4870 is better, and it has a larger scanning
areas for negatives and transparencies. Up to 6X9.

Price between the different models of the 3200 and 4870 is based on
higher order software with the more expensive units, specifically you
get SilveFast 6 which is much better than the SilveFast SE included
with the cheaper bundle. But you can also buy Vuescan for about $80
on the net and it is very good, though not as good as SilverFast 6
for color negatives or slides, at least IMHO.

My personal opinion is that if don't need to scan larger than 6X9 the
Epson 4870 is just in a class by itself in terms of value for the
money.

Sandy

>I'm looking at buying a new scanner and I'd like to get some feedback. (I'm
>sure we'll all be of one mind in the end...)
>
>I'm looking for a high quality scanner that also gives good resolution on
>slides and film
>How much $$$ do I have to spend to get a "good" one?
>What do I need to look for?
>What should I reject outright?
>How important is dynamic range in my decision?
>Am I missing the obvious important features?
>
>
>I wouldn't be surprised to get suggestions of other units, but this is what
>I've looked at so far:
>In price order:
>
>
>1.) Epson 3200 pro $430
> 3200x6400 dpi 12,800x12,800 interpolated
> cold cathode flourescent 6 line alternated with 81,600 pixels CCD
>andOn-Chip Microlens
>
>2.) Epson 4870 (see below) $440
> 4800x9600 dpi 12,800x12,800 interpolated
> cold cathode flourescent matrix CCD
>
>3.) Epson 4896 $450
> 4800x9600 dpi 12,800x12,800 interpolated
> cold cathode flourescent matrix CCD
>
>4.) Microtek i900 $550
> 6400x3200 dpi no interpolated
> cold cathode flourescent tri-linear CCD
>
> 5.) Epson 4870 pro (see above) $600 (what makes it worth the
>extra $?)
> 4800x9600 dpi 12,800x12,800 interpolated
> cold cathode flourescent matrix CCD
>
>6.) Epson 1680 pro $750
> 1600x3200 dpi 13,600x18,720 interpolated 48 bit
> xenon tube color matrix CCD
>
>7.) HP 8250c $900
> 4800x4800 dpi 999,999 interpolated
> cold cathode florescent linear CCD
>
>8.) Microtek Artixscan 1800f $930
> 3600x1800 dpi 14,400x14,400 interpolated
> cold cathode flourescent tri-linear CCD
>
>
> 9.) Microtek 9800XL $1030
> 1600x3200 dpi 12,800x12,800 interpolated
> cold cathode flouescent linear CCD
>
>10.) Epson 1600 $1050
> 1600x3200 dpi 13,600x18,720 interpolated
> xenon cold cathode color matrix CCD
>
>
>BTW there are untis up to $22,000 U.S. dollars. UN-believable!
>
>
>
>
>Oh, and about silly paper wetting questions: ask your dog.
>
>
>Barry Kleider
>Photographer. Arts Educator.
>612.722.9701
>email: bkleider@sihope.com
>Web: www.barryphotography.com
Received on Fri Mar 19 15:09:50 2004