Digital BW, The Print

I need to scan Black & White screened images from a 1920's photo book 
on the middle east. The original plates were large format and well 
reproduced. I need a scanner with a very good dmax and it should be 
larger than regular 8.5x11 (A4) size. Is there a particular model that 
is recommended and not too 'over the top'expensive ?

thanks
Frank

frankg_photo wrote:

>I need to scan Black & White screened images from a 1920's photo book 
>on the middle east. The original plates were large format and well 
>reproduced. I need a scanner with a very good dmax and it should be 
>larger than regular 8.5x11 (A4) size. Is there a particular model that 
>is recommended and not too 'over the top'expensive ?
>
>thanks
>Frank
>
>  
>
You could check one of the Epson XL models, new or secondhand. There's 
not much dynamic range needed for scanning reflective originals. If you 
have the original glass plates and need to scan them it is a different 
story. I would be more worried about the screening if that has to be 
taken out.
My Agfa Horizon Plus would be suited for this job too. It scans truly 
monochrome in one pass at 1200 PPI. There are newer versions of that A3 
size scanner you can find secondhand. 2400 PPI as well. Agfa has no 
repair service worth mentioning so you are on your own when it doesn't 
work correct. If the prints in the book are perfect, without mildew etc 
then monochrome is the best way to go. If there are spots with different 
color, discoloration et the edges then color scanning is better as it is 
easier to retouch the scans afterwards. The one pass Epson models will 
be better then.

Ernst

I was in this dilemma and I bought a used Umax Mirage IISE off ebay.  The
seller did not pack it well, didn't lock the carriages, so it was wrecked in
shipment.  However it seems he had a whole pallet load of them, and sent me
another which was better packed, it worked fine after cleaning.  Now I have
a parts unit too.  Bid was $75, shipping $40.

I tried the Mustek, it was so bad I threw it away.  Absolutely unuseable.

I was thinking of a new Microtek, i have an Artixscan already and it is
decent.  Factory support is non-existent for out of warranty units, after 12
months your only option is to exchange for about half of list price plus
shipping.  They will not sell parts and they will not repair.

In a way, I am glad that I had to learn how to fix my own scanner.  The
image has to go through two glass surfaces and three mirrors before it gets
to the lens.  Over a relatively short period of time these get dirty, you
can look into your scanner and probably see the haze forming on the glass.
I dismantled my Artixscan to fix the problem, a line in scan, caused by dirt
on mirror in the carriage.  I used tissue and denatured alcohol for cleaning
the mirrors, this is what I was told to do by an expert camera repairman and
is how he cleans mirrors on SLR cameras.

So when i got the Umax A3 I took it apart and completely cleaned everything.
It is SCSI, so I bought an old G3 for $50 to drive it, and put on an old
version of Vuescan.  For $115, it is the best bang for the buck, I saved
thousands of dollars compared to buying a Microtek or Epson.  I hear that
Epson has stopped support of non-warranty scanners but I don't know.  I
don't think there is any value in buying a new scanner, the warranty is only
12 months, so if it breaks on its 14th month, like mine did, you are
screwed.  I'll do a little extra work and keep the savings.  You have to
learn to maintain the scanner anyway, no matter what you buy.
-- 
Thomas Robinson
http://www.historicphotoarchive.com

We've had very good results with the larger and smaller Microtek and Epson 
flatbeds where I teach, and they get abused a lot. I'm sorry I don't know the 
model numbers. My brother had a new Umax that gave him nightmares, 
exchanged it for another one after months of poor support, and it was bad too. 
He finally got his money back and bought an Epson and has had nothing but 
good results with it, as I have with my smaller Epson that just keeps on ticking 
after 5 years. I got my money back on that thing in 2 months. The hard thing to 
know about buying a used scanner is if anyone has dropped it. That is always 
a gamble with Ebay and scanners or digital cameras.

John



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Historic Photo 
Archive <tom@h...> wrote:
> I was in this dilemma and I bought a used Umax Mirage IISE off ebay.  The
> seller did not pack it well, didn't lock the carriages, so it was wrecked in
> shipment.  However it seems he had a whole pallet load of them, and sent 
me
> another which was better packed, it worked fine after cleaning.  Now I have
> a parts unit too.  Bid was $75, shipping $40.
> 
> I tried the Mustek, it was so bad I threw it away.  Absolutely unuseable.
> 
> I was thinking of a new Microtek, i have an Artixscan already and it is
> decent.  Factory support is non-existent for out of warranty units, after 12
> months your only option is to exchange for about half of list price plus
> shipping.  They will not sell parts and they will not repair.
> 
> In a way, I am glad that I had to learn how to fix my own scanner.  The
> image has to go through two glass surfaces and three mirrors before it gets
> to the lens.  Over a relatively short period of time these get dirty, you
> can look into your scanner and probably see the haze forming on the glass.
> I dismantled my Artixscan to fix the problem, a line in scan, caused by dirt
> on mirror in the carriage.  I used tissue and denatured alcohol for cleaning
> the mirrors, this is what I was told to do by an expert camera repairman and
> is how he cleans mirrors on SLR cameras.
> 
> So when i got the Umax A3 I took it apart and completely cleaned 
everything.

> It is SCSI, so I bought an old G3 for $50 to drive it, and put on an old
> version of Vuescan.  For $115, it is the best bang for the buck, I saved
> thousands of dollars compared to buying a Microtek or Epson.  I hear that
> Epson has stopped support of non-warranty scanners but I don't know.  I
> don't think there is any value in buying a new scanner, the warranty is only
> 12 months, so if it breaks on its 14th month, like mine did, you are
> screwed.  I'll do a little extra work and keep the savings.  You have to
> learn to maintain the scanner anyway, no matter what you buy.
> -- 
> Thomas Robinson
> http://www.historicphotoarchive.com

There are some incredible sub-$200 bargains in refurbs from Epson
direct...that's where I got my 3200 a couple of years ago, saving big
money...

As to cleaning them...alcohol is a *terrible idea* as most types of
alcohol leave deposits. I like Windex Glass and Surface Wipes (each
sealed in a package, very wasteful but very effective)though regular
Windex reportedly leaves a film. 

The best way to take care of flatbeds is to keep your hands off the
surface and keep the scanner under a dust cover...if you do that, and
if you don't keep the scanner in a dirty environment, and if you don't
smoke around it, you virtually never have to clean.

Djon


> bought an Epson and has had nothing but 
> good results with it, as I have with my smaller Epson that just
keeps on ticking 

> after 5 years.  
> 
> John