Digital BW, The Print

Arlene,

>I work in 35mm, exclusively in B&W (Kodak T400CN).
>My present scanner is 2720 dpi and my Epson 3000
>prints max 1440 x 720. Different tech experts tell me
>different things. One says get a Minolta DiMage 5400
>and another says Nikon 8000. ...

Buying a Nikon 8000 just for 35 mm doesn't make sense to me.  Get a good 35
mm, 4000 (or 5400) dpi scanner.  With T400CN, the difference between 4000
and 5400 dpi is probably irrelevant.  What would be most important to me is
to get the scanner with the best grain reduction program.  I shoot T400CN
also, and the grain reduction algorithm on my 8000 is really nice to have.
The 35 mm version of this scanner has the same features.  Also, the dust
removal option saves a lot of time with T400CN.  The Nikon has this; I'm not
sure of the others.  I'd search the internet for tests that compare the
Nikon, Minolta and competitive Canon and see how these grain reduction and
dust removal programs compare on these scanners.

>Is there an advantage to upgrading my printer from a
>3000 to a 7500 ...

The 7500 handles thicker paper much better than the 3000.  If you use thin
paper (like Epson Enhanced Matte), that might not be a big issue.  With the
Epson 4000 coming out there will be more papers in 17" widths.  That will
help those with old 3000s.  With 35 mm, I would not recommend going above
16x20.  In fact, I'm finding that the larger prints I make with the 7500 are
usually too large for the display areas and a hassle to store.  So, if your
3000 doesn't band and is handling the paper you like, I'd save your money
(maybe for a 4000 next year).

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com