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Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-20 by Brian Ellis

" . . .  the
newer Epsons like the 4990 Pro ( 6400 dpi)?

The 4990 doesn't claim 6400 dpi, I believe you're thinking of the 700/750 
Epsons that have been out for a few months now. I haven't yet seen any tests 
of the actual resolving power of the 700/750 series. However, tests of the 
4990 showed about 2100 actual so I'd guess the 700/750s won't be very close 
to the claimed 6400. I've used a 4990 for a couple years to scan 4x5 and 
8x10 negatives, mainly b&w. I've been pleased with it for prints to about 
11x14. I've never used a Microtek so I can't compare it.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "john dean" <deanwork2003@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 10:57 AM
Subject: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds


A friend of mine is an ad photographer who totally shoots digital. He
does however want to buy a new flatbed scaner in the $500.00 range to
archive and print 8x10's of old work with as well as print scanning on
occasion. He likes the idea of the Microtek.

Does anyone have any opinions of the Microtek I900 (3200 dpi) vs the
newer Epsons like the 4990 Pro ( 6400 dpi)? If it were me I would go
with the Epson's increased dpi, despite the nice feature of the film
loading underneath the glass of the Microtek. You can also potentially
fluid mount with the Epsons.

John







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Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-20 by slberfuchs

First the wet mounting ... actually, there is no reasonw hy you can't wet mount on the 
Microtek i900 either.  The glass tray used for larger than 4x5 film can also be used for et 
mounting as long as you are careful with your liquid.

Second ... ALL of the 'consumer' scanner resolution and Dmax numbers are nothing more 
than marketing hype.  Our side-by-side tests show that the performance of the i900 and the 
4870/4990 are about the same, both have plus and minus tradeofs.  Tests of the new V 
series from Epson don't show enough gain in performance to make them valuablefor large 
format users, although they may be for smaller formats. Basically, the 700 delivers LOWER 
resolution (around 1800 to 2000) at ALL but its highest (6400) scanning setting.  At the 
highest setting (6400) it delivers 2400 on one axis and 2800 on the other but this comes at 
the expense of very large files if you are scanning larger film.  Finally, the Dmax of the V 
series is exactly the same as that of the 4990 (2.25).

Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-20 by David Neely

I am looking at the Microtek i800. Any comments or advice on that one?? It
fits my price range and I don't have film larger than 35mm and 2 1/4 that I
will need to scan thought it does up to 4x5. I have not been able to find a
objective review of this scanner.
 
David
 
David Neely Photography
www.dneelyphoto.com
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-------Original Message-------
 
From: slberfuchs
Date: 07/20/06 13:08:25
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds
 
First the wet mounting ... actually, there is no reasonw hy you can't wet
mount on the 
Microtek i900 either. The glass tray used for larger than 4x5 film can also
be used for et 
mounting as long as you are careful with your liquid.

Second ... ALL of the 'consumer' scanner resolution and Dmax numbers are
nothing more 
than marketing hype. Our side-by-side tests show that the performance of the
i900 and the 
4870/4990 are about the same, both have plus and minus tradeofs. Tests of
the new V 
series from Epson don't show enough gain in performance to make them
valuablefor large 
format users, although they may be for smaller formats. Basically, the 700
delivers LOWER 
resolution (around 1800 to 2000) at ALL but its highest (6400) scanning
setting. At the 
highest setting (6400) it delivers 2400 on one axis and 2800 on the other
but this comes at 
the expense of very large files if you are scanning larger film. Finally,
the Dmax of the V 
series is exactly the same as that of the 4990 (2.25).


 
 

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

Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-20 by Bob Rapp

I have been following this thread with interest as I am looking at a scanner for medium format and have considered flatbed scanners.
    As for flatbed scanners for 4X5 and larger, consideration should be given to the Microtek 1800f. It is more costly than the competition but it is said to deliver.
    I presently have the Minolta Scan Elite 5400 and have been looking at scanners for 6X7 - 6X9 B&W negatives. I am giving the Microtek 120tf very serious thought. It does not have ICE (I seldom use that feature with the 5400) but does have cold cathode illumination that is said to deliver better scans than scanners with LEDs (Nikon).

Bob Rapp
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: slberfuchs 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 11:47 PM
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds


  First the wet mounting ... actually, there is no reasonw hy you can't wet mount on the 
  Microtek i900 either. The glass tray used for larger than 4x5 film can also be used for et 
  mounting as long as you are careful with your liquid.

  Second ... ALL of the 'consumer' scanner resolution and Dmax numbers are nothing more 
  than marketing hype. Our side-by-side tests show that the performance of the i900 and the 
  4870/4990 are about the same, both have plus and minus tradeofs. Tests of the new V 
  series from Epson don't show enough gain in performance to make them valuablefor large 
  format users, although they may be for smaller formats. Basically, the 700 delivers LOWER 
  resolution (around 1800 to 2000) at ALL but its highest (6400) scanning setting. At the 
  highest setting (6400) it delivers 2400 on one axis and 2800 on the other but this comes at 
  the expense of very large files if you are scanning larger film. Finally, the Dmax of the V 
  series is exactly the same as that of the 4990 (2.25).



   

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

Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-24 by Bob Rapp

The only objective review I have seen are at:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN1.HTM

I gave them some consideration but will be ordering the Microtek 120tf this week (while the 200.00 rebate still applies. That scanner is supplied with Silverfast AI - a product that I particularly like.
    If 4X5 are a must, do give the Microtek 1800f a look. It has received several superb reviews.

Bob Rapp
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Neely 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 7:21 AM
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds



  I am looking at the Microtek i800. Any comments or advice on that one?? It
  fits my price range and I don't have film larger than 35mm and 2 1/4 that I
  will need to scan thought it does up to 4x5. I have not been able to find a
  objective review of this scanner. 

  David 

  David Neely Photography 
  www.dneelyphoto.com 


  -------Original Message------- 

  From: slberfuchs 
  Date: 07/20/06 13:08:25 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds 

  First the wet mounting ... actually, there is no reasonw hy you can't wet
  mount on the 
  Microtek i900 either. The glass tray used for larger than 4x5 film can also
  be used for et 
  mounting as long as you are careful with your liquid. 

  Second ... ALL of the 'consumer' scanner resolution and Dmax numbers are
  nothing more 
  than marketing hype. Our side-by-side tests show that the performance of the
  i900 and the 
  4870/4990 are about the same, both have plus and minus tradeofs. Tests of
  the new V 
  series from Epson don't show enough gain in performance to make them
  valuablefor large 
  format users, although they may be for smaller formats. Basically, the 700
  delivers LOWER 
  resolution (around 1800 to 2000) at ALL but its highest (6400) scanning
  setting. At the 
  highest setting (6400) it delivers 2400 on one axis and 2800 on the other
  but this comes at 
  the expense of very large files if you are scanning larger film. Finally,
  the Dmax of the V 
  series is exactly the same as that of the 4990 (2.25). 





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



   

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

Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-24 by Ernst Dinkla

Bob Rapp wrote:
> The only objective review I have seen are at:
> 
> http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN1.HTM
> 
> I gave them some consideration but will be ordering the Microtek 120tf this week (while the 200.00 rebate still applies. That scanner is supplied with Silverfast AI - a product that I particularly like.
>     If 4X5 are a must, do give the Microtek 1800f a look. It has received several superb reviews.
> 
> Bob Rapp

The only ISO tests I'm aware of are the German ones and the 
1800F didn't score much higher on true resolution (about 1300 
PPI) than the Epson 3200 (1200 PPI) then. The Microtek 1800F 
had a 3.9 Dmax (Epson 3.6 Dmax) and a higher S/N ratio at 2.85 
D than the Epson 3200 (5.8 to 3.8). Both had 3.2 Dynamic 
Range. But that Microtek was 3x the price of the Epson 3200. 
That was a test done in 2003. Since then there have been 4 
generations of Epsons: 4870, 4990, F3200, V700/V750. The 
Microtek was the better flatbed at that time but I doubt it is 
now.

Ernst


-- 

                    --
           Ernst Dinkla


www.pigment-print.com
(         unvollendet         )

Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-24 by Ernst Dinkla

Bob Rapp wrote:
> The only objective review I have seen are at:
> 
> http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN1.HTM
> 
> I gave them some consideration but will be ordering the Microtek 120tf this week (while the 200.00 rebate still applies. That scanner is supplied with Silverfast AI - a product that I particularly like.
>     If 4X5 are a must, do give the Microtek 1800f a look. It has received several superb reviews.
> 
> Bob Rapp

You could check the resolution results on scanner bake-off:

http://www.jamesphotography.ca/scanner_test.html

The mentioned Microteks are somewhere in the middle or below 
in the 2004 bake-off.

Ernst


-- 

                    --
           Ernst Dinkla


www.pigment-print.com
(         unvollendet         )

Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds

2006-07-24 by Bob Rapp

Hi Ernst,
    Thanks for the link. Looking over the results and the software used with each scanner, it appears that the operator has a lot to do with the results.
    I will primarily be doing B&W and I have seen the results from the Nikon 8000 and 9000 scanners. They appear have great difficulty. However, my Minolta 5400, that is not a problem. Both the Minolta and Microtek scanners use cold cathode lighting where as Nikon use led as a light source.

Cheers,

Bob Rapp
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ernst Dinkla 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 8:02 PM
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] New Epson and Microtek Flatbeds


  Bob Rapp wrote:
  > The only objective review I have seen are at:
  > 
  > http://www.imaging-resource.com/SCAN1.HTM
  > 
  > I gave them some consideration but will be ordering the Microtek 120tf this week (while the 200.00 rebate still applies. That scanner is supplied with Silverfast AI - a product that I particularly like.
  > If 4X5 are a must, do give the Microtek 1800f a look. It has received several superb reviews.
  > 
  > Bob Rapp

  You could check the resolution results on scanner bake-off:

  http://www.jamesphotography.ca/scanner_test.html

  The mentioned Microteks are somewhere in the middle or below 
  in the 2004 bake-off.

  Ernst

  -- 

  --
  Ernst Dinkla

  www.pigment-print.com
  ( unvollendet )


   

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

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