Digital BW, The Print

Antonis:

The Epson 1680 is a flatbed scanner with a resolution of only 
1600dpi.  Why would I want to use that for scanning negatives?

-Robert


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "antonisphoto" 
<antonisphoto@y...> wrote:
> Robert,
> 
> look at the Epson 1680. There is a review of it in Photo Techniques 
Jan/Feb 
> 2002. It seems the most promising in your price range.  I 
recommended it to a 
> friend who just got it, so I haven't done any serious tests yet.
> 
> Also in your price range is the Kodak 3600. Nice dynamic range and 
> sharpness, but I thought grain did get exaggerated. This one I had 
and used 
> for a year. Miserable interface, but you can work around it. Now in 
the $800 
> range.
> 
> As far as judging grain and other issues of quality - only a test 
scan can tell 
> you that. Most so-called film scanners won't keep film as flat  as 
a drum 
> scanner. But they will be "good enough". The other issue is 
software: A nice 
> big preview with the ability to really see  what the final scan 
will look like and 
> read the values accurately is a big plus. Look for scanners 
supported by 
> SilverFast (not the only criterion, just another option).
> 
> Good luck, and please let us know what you find.
> 
> Antonis
> 
> PS. If you go with a flatbed, there has been a lot of talk about 
wet mounting 
> negs to the glass (using Kami fluid). Let us know and we'll dig up 
the 
> archives!...
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "robertades" 
<roberti22@h...> wrote:
> > I'm looking for a scanner for b&w negatives in the $750-$1,000 
price 
> > range.  There's a wealth of information on the web about the 
various 
> > scanners, but very little about using them with b&w.  I'm told 
that 
> > dynamic range is particularly important with b&w, and that some 
> > scanners that do well with color don't do as well with b&w.
> > 
> > I've basically narrowed it down to the Canon FS4000US (which has 
> > greater resolution but lower DR), or the soon to be released 
Minolta 
> > Scan Elite II (which has less resolution but possibly greater 
DR).  I 
> > considered the Nikon LS-40, but was told that its LED light 
source 
> > caused problems with the grain structure in b&w.