Digital BW, The Print

Anyone who is considering spending $1600 or more on a scanner should 
think about getting a used drum scanner. They are extremely good 
bargains now and a lot of them are built like tanks. You can go to the 
hi-end scanning group for more information. 

(( as far as where to buy from: there are a couple of good brokers (two 
different guys named weber are good) but the best deals will be from 
individuals (or print shops) that will sell for half or less than what 
the brokers will charge. Ebay is actually a good place if you have done 
your research. An pre-sale inspection is ideal of course. Remember that 
shipping will be a lot and that there can be differences in software))

-mh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Martin Wesley" <
mwesley250@e...> wrote:
> Paulo,
> 
> I can't give you any info on the Microtek but I am extremely skeptical of
> product specs regarding Dmax and optical resolution. They tend to be
> statements based on the capacity of the analog to digital converter and the
> number of CCD's per inch, and not representative of real world capabilities.
> Real values can be obtained by scanning calibrated density wedges and
> resolution targets but I have never seen any such data published by a
> scanner manufacturer. Not even high end drum scanners live up to their
> advertising.
> 
> I have been down the scanner road though and after trying a Polaroid 4000
> 35mm film scanner, a 1200 ppi Linoscan flatbed, a Polaroid 120 6cm film
> scanner and an Epson 2400, I now have a used Howtek 4000 drum scanner. If I
> didn't have to scan 4x5 I would have been content with the Polaroid 120.
> Rather than dropping $1600 on a flatbed scanner I would try an Epson 3200
> with oil mounting. I would suspect that the difference between the results
> with the Epson and the Microtek if any are not justified by the extra cost.
> Also at that price you have a shot at picking up a used MF film scanner.
> 
> If you are going to use a flatbed for scanning sheet film, then consider a
> move up to a 5x7 or 8x10 camera. Doesn't help for whatever you have already
> shot of course.
> 
> 
> Kevin,
> 
> Since you moved out of the wet darkroom due to respiratory problems, don't
> try wet mounting on a flat bed with Kami fluid or similar "vanishing oils."
> Watch out for the effects of working with lots of film cleaner too. Oddly
> enough a number of the mounting fluids and cleaners used in oil mounting
> film are as hazardous or more to your health than what you would encounter
> in standard B&W film and print development.
> 
> Martin Wesley