Digital BW, The Print

sandersm@... wrote:

> Kip, thanks for the compliment.  
>
> As for your choices in 8x10 scanners, they are pretty limited.   The 
> Epson 4990 is okay.   If you like the Epson 3200's performance you'll 
> like the 4990's -- to my eye the output of the two scanners is 
> indistinguishable.   Microtek makes two scanners that cover 8x10 -- 
> the i900 and the 1800tf -- but reliable real-world comparisons of the 
> three machines' performance do not exist.  
>
> Beyond those, you are heading into drum scanner territory, and they 
> are very big and very expensive.   


This, I think, is a common  misconception. Drum scanners tend to be big, 
yes, and they also tend to be heavy, noisy, slow and hot. But on the 
used market, they have become pretty inexpensive.You can get a used 
ColorGetter 3 Pro or a Falcon for less than 3000.00 USD these days 
(about 4-5% of what they cost new in the late 1990s). Used ScanMates and 
Screens abound. The used Howteks are more pricey because Aztek still 
supports them and people pay more for a scanner they can ship in for 
repair and get new parts for. Same for the used ICGs now that ICG has 
re-entered the market.

Also, drum scanning and fluid mounting are not nearly as difficult as 
people say - "those people" being people who mostly have never done it 
before. At least that's been my experience. There are learning curves, 
yes, but they are not any worse than learning to use a view camera and 
in many ways they are easier to climb.

Finally, the scan quality can't be beat. I'm talking sharp. I'm talking 
noise free. I'm talking smooth. Half of this is just the nature of how 
PMTs work. Half is fluid mounting on a drum that rigidly holds the film 
in the exact plane of focus while filling in all the voids and scratches.

Of course, it's not for everyone. My point is, it's not nearly as out of 
reach financially as it was even last year.
--
Bruce Watson