Digital BW, The Print

Paul-

I've worked with Epsons and was impressed with the scans. We've had two 
Microtek 1800f's in our student lab for just over two years; a pretty good 
indication of their build quality. I think the most recent Microtek is the i900, with 
better resolution than the 1800f. Very reasonable pricing. The glassless 
scanning, for film up to 4x5 inches, works really well. Less dust/scratches and no 
Newton rings to worry about.

Neither will produce the quality that an Imacon will, but scan quality isn't 
everything. It depends on the work you need to do and how critical you are 
about print quality. I started with the best flatbed I could afford at the time 
(the Linocolor Saphir Ultra), moved to a used 4x5 LeafScan and finally realized 
how much time and energy I was wasting. Swallowed my medicine and bought the 
Imacon. I'm producing scans now that I know I won't have to redo; just archive 
and repurpose as required.

Wow, I should get some kind of kickback from Imacon.

Incidentally, last year we added an Nikon 9000 film scanner to the student 
lab. Excellent scans, once you master a Raw scan workflow with the software.

I'd been told, years ago by a Kodak research engineer, that Type 55 was Pan 
X. I have no idea if that's still true and, if it is, where the film stock is 
coming from. I really hope Type 55 survives; losing it would be a blow. Carl's 
right, by the way: the stuff doesn't store well.



Bill Kennedy
Associate Professor of Photocommunications
St. Edward's University
512/448-8680


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