Digital BW, The Print

It appears Microtek has discontinued 1800f in anticipation of the 
delayed M1 but they're available on EBay. 

Questions about its Ice availability (requires an expensive license)
might explain the delay. If a photographer only works in silver B&W,
Ice is irrelevant. Will Microtek again sell something limited to
silver B&W-only photographers(ignoring C41 B&W and color)? We'll see. 

See reviews and threads below. None compares any Microtek to current
best Epsons but the first (2004) does give it a clear edge over my 
ancient 3200 (handicaps Epson by not using Doug's carrier).

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DL52

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/1800f.htm

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=15432
(kirk gittings, whose word I'd take because I know his work.. except 
he's comparing to second/third tier Epson. 

http://www.amazon.com/Microtek-ArtixScan-1800F-Flatbed-Scanner/dp/B00006LHJH
(note ratings)

I'd look for Epson 750 Vs Microtek M1, if it becomes available. 

http://www.shutterbug.com/news/112806microtek/








--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Peter De Smidt
<pdesmidt@...> wrote:
>
> > Actually, the Microtek doesn't get reviews equaling the last two
> > generations of Epsons: Not nearly as versatile, don't hold film as
> > flat as Epsons with Doug Fisher carriers, and they lack Ice. 
> What reviews are you talking about?  Ted Harris's review in View Camera 
> claimed that the 1800f has better dynamic range than the Epsons, and a 
> Google search shows that many users think that same thing. It doesn't 
> have ICE, but if you're doing BW that doesn't matter.  Yes, Doug 
> Fisher's carriers get very good reviews, but the Microtek's are very 
> good too. (I used to have an AGFA 2500, which is very similar to the 
> Microtek.  The carriers were far better than Epson's or Canon's.  They 
> were sturdy and did a good job holding the negative flat.  For 4x5 they 
> worked really well. The downside was that 120 couldn't be scanned in 
> strips with the regular holders.)
>