Digital BW, The Print

At 07:16 PM 6/11/2003, you wrote:
>Once again the "which scanner is best?" question arises for the group. What
>desktop flatbed scanners are high quality and reasonably priced. I am
>willing to spend up to $1,500 (Microtek Artixscan 1800f) but am not sure if
>it is worth $1,100 more than the Epson Perfection 3200. My use for my files
>is fine art prints, not snapshots of the kids and dog. I print large and my
>photographic subjects are usually dimly lit, ie. Shadow detail is important.
>
>I have been having all my negs drum scanned so am used to high quality, but
>the cost is getting me down. I figure I should have a good scanner for the
>bulk of my work and use a drum scan when I need the really big prints.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Allyen

If you are used to the quality of a drum scan, I doubt that a desktop 
scanner will satisfy you. If you can't afford to buy a drum scanner, you 
might be happier with a dedicated film scanner. In another post I saw that 
you scan up to 4x5. Polaroid has a 4x5 film scanner that will also scan 
35mm and medium format. It's rather more expensive than your $1500, 
however. I have an older model Polaroid 45 scanner which gives me up to 
2000 ppi resolution and a Polaroid SS4000 35mm film scanner which gives up 
to 4000 ppi. The combined cost of these items was about what you want can 
pay. I got the SS4000 with a hefty rebate from Polaroid (they were 
discontinuing it and releasing a new model) and the 45 on eBay. I use it 
for 4x5 and 6x9 and reserve the SS4000 for 35mm.

Stan

================================
Photography by Stan McQueen
http://www.smcqueen.com