Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, 
"randyrancier" <randyrancier@y...> wrote:
> I'm sure what your saying is correct, But I doubt that I will ever 
> go any bigger than 6x7; if I do it will be to 4x5 or 5x7.  I've been 
> watching scanners on ebay, and a Nikon 8000 can be had for
> around $1000, which is kind'a spensive for me.  I was hoping
> to perhaps find a older model 4000 dpi machine that will do 
> the job for less than that; if there are any???

Randy, Randy, Randy...whether you have it to spend or not, a 
grand for a Nikon 8000 is *cheap*, especially given its 
multi-format capability.

Having recently gotten a Minolta 5400, I've been fairly busy with 
my own work, but just as importantly, I've scanning the work of 
other photographers as well, which brings me to my other point 
about why a good film scanner can be the smartest investment a 
photographer can make at the moment - it pays for itself even 
faster once other shooters without one find out you have one.  
This is how I fininced my previous scanner, and also how my 
5400 has just about paid for itself in the four months I've had it.  
And I'll bet dollars to Ektachrome I'm not the only one here doing 
this (hell, I'm probably among the last).

As for your subsequent post about whether your PC is up to snuff 
for scanning work: RAM and a big, fast HD (or two for scratch 
disk space for PS) are the main criteria here, with processor 
speed a close third - without a good helping of the first two, the 
fastest chip in the West won't mean much. I'm working with a 
466mHz Power Mac G4 tower with about a gig of RAM and a fast 
160 gig HD, and it manages the 200mb files the 5400 generates 
quite well.  Max the RAM out on that 2.4gHz puppy of yours and I 
don't think the system will sweat much.  

Of course, I'd also suggest a fast DVD burner. ;-)

- Barrett
> 
> By the time I could save enough for the Imacon, it will probably 
be 
> a old model and I could get it for less than a $1000; I don't want 
> to have to wait years before doing high quality work!
> Thanks,
> Randy
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, 
deandadin@a... 
> wrote:
> > Hello Randy, I do scanning of med format film up to 6x18 cm. 
I use 
> the Imacon 
> > 343 scanner. This unit is a superior unit to the nikon for 
several 
> reasons. 
> > First it can scan up to 6x18 cm size, the nikon 8000 will only 
> scan to 6x8. The 
> > Imacon is more expensive but the machine is far superior to 
the 
> nikon. The 
> > price for a new 343 imacon is aroung 4995. but it can be had 
in a 
> refurbished 
> > condition for abour 4000. I bought a refurb and the machine 
was 
> hardly used, 
> > like new. The Imacon is an amazing scanner but what 
makes it  so 
> is the software. 
> > The Imacon is a pro unit and its not that much more 
expensive then 
> the Nikon. 
> > I would take the Imacon over the nikon any day.Steve
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]