Digital BW, The Print

Stupid question, but why *are* drum scanners so much more expensive
than the alternatives?

Scott

hogarth@... wrote:

>
> 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
>
>