Digital BW, The Print

Help!  I need to upgrade my scanner.  I am a landscape photographer 
working with 4x5" and 8x10" B&W negatives and color transparencies. 
I use the Cone Piezography system to output my prints.  I am
dissatisfied with the scan speed, quality and interface of my Umax 
PowerLook III scanner and I feel that it must be time to upgrade.  
	I am using the Mac G4 and would like to find today's BEST scanner 
for under $1500.00 or so.  Is the Microtek Artiscan 1100 the best or
is the Epson 1680, or is it something else?  I've gotten 
recommendations of scanners from $149 to $50,000.  
	Surely there must be a clear leader in todays market.

Ed Shotwell