Re: Scanner suggestion for small organization?

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Hi Francoise,

Within your budget range, you will have to make some compromises.

The reflective art, (paper, photos, newspapers, magazines, etc) are easy 
these days with any 600 dpi optical scanner for even under $100

The problem is the film, both negs and slides.  I assume most of these 
will be 35mm, and that makes it even harder to deal with.

One thing you don't mention is what you plan to do with the scans.  WIll 
they be on a web site? Printed with an inkjet, printed in a catalogue?

The minimum resolution you need for a full screen computer image from a 
35mm frame is about 1200 dpi optical.  Of course, 2400 dpi is even 
better, for printing purposes from 35mm film.  This means you need a 
flatbed scanner with a transmissive light source. (light hood).

The main problem is that flatbed scanners, in general, are designed with 
reflective art in mind which rarely requires more than a dynamic range 
of 2.6 dMAX.  Film needs 3.8 or more.  So, you will need to be happy 
with lower dynamic range in cheaper flatbeds.  This means underexposed 
images will be very noisy and even darker areas of slides will be noisy 
or inaccessible.

Microtek, Epson, and Umax all make good scanners in this range.  Try to 
get a CCD sensor rather than CIS, not only is this older technology 
better, it is cheaper and lasts longer.  If you can test the scanner 
with different media, that would be best since each model tends to have 
different abilities and specs alone will not tell the full story.

Art


Francoise Frigola wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> Our (small and young) local historical society needs a scanner.
> 
> The ability to scan paper, slides, and film is important.
> 
> Simplicity of use is equally important for our curator... <S>
> 
> And, of course, price:  $80 - $200
> 
> Computer: we will soon have a Dell Dimension 4400.
> 
>>From over 12 years experience, I have a tendency to be partial to Microtek
> and Epson.
> 
> I have been looking at
> 
> - Epson Perfection 1250 w/ 35mm Film Strip Adapter
> - Microtek ScanMaker 3800
> 
> Has the CanoScan D660U been replaced? opinions?
> 
> Thanks for the input.
> 
> Francoise Frigola
> IAHS Computer & Research chair
> 
> Original Inkjet Prints in Multiple ~ Sculpture
> http://www.pe.net/~franou/
> 
> 
> 
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