Digital BW, The Print

I've always been suspicious of his conclusions - could someone with
technical know-how take a look at this
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/gf.htm and see if you think his methodology
is skewed?
Julian

----- Original Message -----
From: "heliar333" <heliar@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 7:00 PM
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Flatbed scanners with film adaptors - good, bad,
or ugly?


> > While shopping for a new flatbed scanner, I came across two that
> > feature built in film adaptors capable of scanning any film or
> > transparency - up to 4x5" for the Canon D2400UF CanoScan and up
> > to 6x9" for the Epson Perfection 2450 Photo Scanner.  Both feature
> > 2400x4800 dpi 48 bit scans, street price around $400.
> >
> > Does anyone have experience with these or similar scanners?  How do
> > they compare with dedicated film or drum scanners?  Are they close
> > quality wise, or is this too good to be true?
>
> Having read at www.kenrockwell.com that flatbeds often deliver only
> 60% of their promised resolution, I decided to test with my own
> equipment.
>
> I have both an Epson 1640 and a Minolta Dimage Multi Pro. The Epson
> claims to deliver a 1600 dpi scan, but in fact, it most closely
> matches the Minolta at 800 dpi. SO I'd say that 60% is probably a
> good number.
>
> On the other hand, I find that the Epson does a better job getting
> true colors off the film, and has a smoother, broader range of grey
> values.
>
> Applying the same logic to other Epsons, I imagine that the 2450,
> which claims to get 2400 dpi, delivers somewhere around 1500 dpi. At
> 300 dpi output, this means a maximum enlargement of 5x. For 4x5, this
> equates to a little under 16x20. For smaller film, 5x gets small. But
> you get what you pay for - unless Epson has plans to deliver a real
> 2400 dpi scanner soon. I'd gladly pay teixe the current price.
>
> In the meanwhile, I have my sights on the Microtek Artix 2500. Others
> have attested that it delivers a genuine 2500 dpi. At $3500, it ought
> to. I have seen some gorgeous quadtone prints by Richard Wolfson, who
> uses an Agfa 2500 (made by Microtek) for his 4x5 negatives - and they
> are stunning and sharp at 20x24 inches and beyond.
>
>
>
>
>
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In a message dated 07/09/2002 10:01:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
heliar@... writes:


> In the meanwhile, I have my sights on the Microtek Artix 2500. Others 
> have attested that it delivers a genuine 2500 dpi. At $3500, it ought 
> to. I have seen some gorgeous quadtone prints by Richard Wolfson, who 
> uses an Agfa 2500 (made by Microtek) for his 4x5 negatives - and they 
> are stunning and sharp at 20x24 inches and beyond.
> 
> There have been several New Microtec Artixscan 2500's on e-bay from the 
> same seller over the past few months. I got one for 1400.00. I don't no if 
> he has any more but I watched him sell about 5 of them! All around 
> 12-1400.00 I also have the Agfa 2500 on its last legs , and yes it the same 
> scanner as the Microtek just different software. New Microteks can be had 
> under 2,000 in any case as a few delears have 1/2 off sales. Can easily get 
> 24x30's from either of these scanners from 4x5 and very nice 16x20's from 
> 6x7 negs.
> Steve Meyers




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> > There have been several New Microtec Artixscan 2500's on e-bay 
from the 
> > same seller over the past few months. I got one for 1400.00. I 
don't no if 
> > he has any more but I watched him sell about 5 of them! All 
around 
> > 12-1400.00 I also have the Agfa 2500 on its last legs , and yes 
it the same 
> > scanner as the Microtek just different software. New Microteks 
can be had 
> > under 2,000 in any case as a few delears have 1/2 off sales. Can 
easily get 
> > 24x30's from either of these scanners from 4x5 and very nice 
16x20's from 
> > 6x7 negs.

Apparently, Microtek is just about to release their new Scanmaker 
6700, which will scan at a genuine 2400 dpi, and will have ICE 
scratch removal software... priced at under $400. 

Perhaps this will be something to consider.