[Leica] Which scanner

[aaron.sandler at duke.edu (Aaron Sandler)]

David,

I assume you're getting a scanner so you can make prints, right?  If you're 
just looking for scans to put on the web, then you don't need high quality 
scans and a flatbed would be more than enough.  But, for web, I'd consider 
getting a one-hour lab to make scans...would save you time and money.  But, 
assuming you want to make some nice prints...

I bought the SprintScan4000 twin that Eric suggested, the Microtek 
ArtixScan4000 (I think based the recommendation of Doug Herr) a couple of 
years ago and I really like it.  I print up to 12x18 from its 4000dpi 
scans, and I'm very pleased with the results.  I wouldn't hesitate to 
recommend it.

As others have said, there's no point shelling out the $$ for digital ICE 
if you're only scanning silver B&W film (and the Microtek does NOT have 
digital ICE).  I actually do scan quite a bit of C41 process film, but 
since I started brushing my negs with a Staticmaster brush before scanning, 
I find I have very little dusting/spotting work to do in Photoshop...and 
that's even on negs developed at the one-hour place.

I also have a flatbed for scanning 120 film, and I wouldn't consolidate 
into just a flatbed scanner...The way I look at it, a 35mm neg is so small 
that I want the best possible scan from it in order to make a decent print, 
and that means a dedicated film scanner.

Good luck!

-Aaron



At 08:23 AM 10/8/2005, Eric wrote:
>David:
>
>My understanding is that the Microtek ArtixScan 4000 is basically the same
>as the no longer available Polaroid SprintScan 4000.
>
>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=185547&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
>
>I have the SS 4000.  Paid about $700 or so for it 4 years ago.  Still going
>strong.  ICE?  I scan mostly silver B&W film, so ICE wouldn't work for me,
>anyway.  I went with the Polaroid because John Brownlow (aka Johnny Deadman)
>and B.D. were using it with success.  I've not been disappointed.
>
>If you don't need all the latest bells and whistles, for $430, this seems
>like a steal.  If my scanner were to die tomorrow, this is what I'd buy.
>
>See my website for samples of scans.  All the black and white scans (and
>most of the color ones, too) were made on the SS 4000.