[filmscanners] Re: Flatbed for prints only

["Arthur Entlich" <artistik@shaw.ca>]

I think what has happened is that as the resolution that flatbed
scanners were able to offer at reasonable prices increased, it became
very possible to offer film scanning, especially small and medium format
films.  At 2400 dpi and above, these scanner are able to provide the
"mechanical resolution" that dedicated film scanners did.  Of course,
they usually could not deliver the same resolution as a film scanner of
similar mechanical resolution, but for many it provided a convenient and
relatively inexpensive way to scan smaller format films.

Since that option allows for film scanning to be integrated into a
flatbed, most manufacturers provide it.  Scanner prices overall have
come down considerably over the years, and now that the demand has
lessened, many have left the marketplace.

I haven't been following the market much these days, but I would guess
sticking with one of the major scanner manufacturers such as Epson, is
probably a good idea. UMAX made some good scanners years ago, but I
don't know that they have kept up with the technology.  Microtek is yet
another company that was fairly active in the flat bed market and may
still have some good models out there.

Art


rkoziol3@comcast.net wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Most of the posts here are for film scanners, but I thought I'd ask
> for your opinion on a flatbad.
>
> I have a Umax Astra 2100U flatbed (circa 1999), that is a bit too
> slow.  It's a USB 1.1 mdoel.  The scan quality could probably stand
> improvement.
>
> Can anyone recommend a flatbed, which produces good print scans, but
> does not necessarily have a film attachment.  This I hope would lower
> the price as well.  I was hoping to find a flatbad for around $100.
> Format no bigger than std 8.5x11 or A4 (or close to it).
>
> Most flatbed reviews I read, lean on the film scan evaluation.  I do
> not care about that at all.  For film, I'd use a dedicated scanner.
>
> I read about Epson Perfection 4990, and it seems a good candidate,
> but again it has film scanning which I do not need.  The cheaper
> scanners do not get reviews at all.
>
> Regards,
>
> Rich
>
>

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