Scanner recommendation page.

Recently I've been seeing what seems to be an increase in the number of requests for "What's a good scanner in the $XXX.XX range?" At this point I'm more than willing to write one (though who knows if anybody will read it). However, I'd like to get feedback from those in the group so I'm not talking out my backside (as often tends to be the case :) ).

 

I figure the best approach is to break it up into boundaries between $0-500, $500-1000 (or $1500), and $1500+. Since I have experience with only a few scanners (Nikon 4000ED and Minolta Dimage Scan Dual) other 'overviews' of scanners would be based solely upon what I've read here at photo.net as well as what's on the web. This article would probably sit under the Equipment:Scanners page and act as a "How to buy a ...." article such as those that exist for 35mm, medium-format, and large-format camera pages.

 

So... is this a good idea? Or and I being daft?

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<blockquote><em>Or and I being daft?</em></blockquote>

 

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OK. I just got up. Obviously that should read "Or am I being daft?"

I would be more than willing to help you. I have my own little comparison between two hot items, the Canon FS4000 and the Nikon 4000ED <a href="http://www.rit.edu/~cgs2794/comparison.htm">here</a>. I've already gotten numerous e-mails of thanks and I'd be glad to try to do some more. <br><br>I've used the Nikon 4, 4000 and 8000, as well as a couple of Flextights. The Canon FS4000 which I own, and the Minolta Dual II, Elite II and the larger format models as well. I used the Polaroid Sprint Scan 4000 and I didn't like it.<br><br>If you're interested in doing this and maybe want my help, opinions or experience, let me know.

I think it's an excellent idea. I am (Nikon) editor for photo.net and I would be happy to publish a 'scanner recommendation' article here.

 

I will start by reading Carl's article. Nicholas and Carl, let me know if there's anything specific I can do for you right now.

 

I only have experience with two scanners myself, HP PhotoSmart (old SCSI one) and Nikon Coolscan III (well, also old and SCSI), so I'm not sure if I could actually contribute much to the article itself.

I'll try to start banging something out this week (I do have a day job and a nice, shiny Epson 2200P, so I'll do my best :) In addition, Labor Day is coming up and I might be gone for the long weekend). If you want, I can mail you my draft to get your feedback. Carl, I'll probably be looking at your web page a few more times and I'll be also looking at the Nikon 4000ED review that Andreas wrote. Patrick, I'll probably be asking you for some insight some of the other scanners as well. I'd like to make this as full-featured as Darron's article on choosing a computer system. And if you've got images from scanners other than the 4000ED or the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual it might be nice to have those for illustration.

 

As to the rest of you out there in lurking-land, I'm more than willing to take feedback/input into what might make this a better article. So add on to this thread to let me know. In particular, I would love to have more info on high-end scanners. Namely, PMT drums (like the Tango) so that readers can at least get an idea of how the upper-crust live. :)

Haha, unfortunately I don't have regular access to a PMT scanner, but let me know if you need any more information on just a review of the scanners. I plan on adding more to my page simply because people have asked if I would. I'll probably break down the scanners in to price ranges, and specs later on.

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OK. It's been a week or two. I've finally got a rough draft together. It's really rough. And it's not complete. But I'd like to get feedback now rather than later. I also realize that I forgot to talk (a very little bit) about how CCD imagers work and I probably screwed up the description of how PMTs work.

 

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<a href="http://appendage.org/photo/choosing_a_scanner.html">http://appendage.org/photo/choosing_a_scanner.html</a>

Nicholas, I will try to read it before the weekend and provide some feedback. Thanks for your efforts sofar!

Looks like a great start. As I said before, I have plans to add a little. Any upcoming dull weekend and I'll begin drafting it. It'll [probably] focus mainly on the desktop scanners (non drum in other words). Since most people after a scanner either know what they need and if they need a drum scanner wont read the review, or are clueless and probably aren't going to sink up to a quarter of a million dollars in a scanner (or more).

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So I've been laid off and in my free time I think I've polished off my overview. Anybody care to cut me down to a sniveling, quivering mass of editorial waste?

 

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<a href="http://isolation.net/photo/choosing_a_scanner.html"> http://isolation.net/photo/choosing_a_scanner.html</a>

Nicholas, I think this is shaping up very nicely. A few suggestions:

 

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<li>include a more thourough explanation of ICE/ICE3/FARE type technologies and discuss drawbacks.

<li>spend a paragraph on software. Compare features on Nikon scan, SilverFast, Vuescan and possibly others

<li>formalize comparison (feature-wise) of scanners: supported media, interfaces, operating systems etc. Create a table per price range and put the models side-by-side.

<li>aren't there more models available? I'm not terribly familiar with the scanner market, but Polaroid used to be a big player too, right?

 

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I'll spiff it up some more. I think you're ideas are good ones. Thanks for the

suggestions!

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<blockquote><em>think you're ideas</em></blockquote>

 

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Damn, what's wrong with me? That should be <em>your</em>.