This
FLAAR network of informative review and tips brings actual real-life
experience to help you reach an informed decision. For graphics designers
and photographers, selecting the right scanner is the most important
first step into the digital era.
The
American way of life is to buy on price. In other words, go to CompUSA
and buy a cheap scanner. Read a glowing review in some newsstand computer
magazine or photo magazine that praises some economical scanner. Then
read the web site and ads where the same scanner is premised as "high
quality," "professional quality," "clear precise
images."
Bait
and switch or simply freedom of expression, isn't this potentially
false and misleading advertising? You be the judge.
I
too have suffered the results of that; you spend a thousand dollars
feeling you have a bargain, but in reality that sum is thrown out
the window. Sooner or later you have to start all over again and buy
what was really needed in the first place, a better scanner.
The
first shock is when you find out that the scanner specs were arranged
to convince you of a quality that the scanner may not really deliver.
For example, most scanners cannot achieve their top rated dpi across
the entire surface. Cheap scanners get their scans only down the "sweet
spot," a narrow band down the center of the flatbed. On either
side the scan may be inferior.
Now
you know why a true professional scanner is more costly. Their get
their full dpi across the entire surface of the scanner. Scitex is
best known for this high end class of prepress scanner.
Next
shock is when the happy new buyer tries to scan a 35mm slide
and finds out that the 1000 dpi or even 1200 dpi enlarges the 35mm
slide barely past letter size! And even here the image is fuzzy and
not very impressive
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Nonetheless,
with my Scitex EverSmart it is possible to take a 35mm slide and enlarge
it to 42 x 36 inches. The entire 42 x 36 inches is photo-realistic
and exhibit quality. With the Epson, Microtek/Agfa
or Hewlett- Packard scanner you would be hard put
to enlarge that same slide up to letter size. Yes, the SilverFast
software helps immensely, indeed that is the only reason I consider
recommending any scanner under $3000. Without the SilverFast the cheap
scanners are just that, a cheap scanner with no brains.
No
Epson, Umax, or Microtek scanner, however, works the same way as a
Scitex. It is the difference between a small Ford or Chevy compact
and a GMC Suburban. Both will get you from Point A to point B, but
I prefer the security and features of the Suburban. Actually a Scitex
scanner is more like the BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes of the flatbed scanner
world.
Main
problem is that, yes, people will write great reviews on a low-cost
scanner, because that is all they have ever used (this is a polite
way to comment on people who are happy with the Epson; I was happy
with all three of my Umax scanners until I experienced what a Scitex
can do). How many reviews have you read by prepress professionals
who have a Microtek scanner in their digital studios? They may have
a Microtek or Epson at home for their kids, but their customers would
be rather irritated to see their precious images wasted on some cheap
scanner.
So
if you ever run into a colleague who has actual experience with a
true professional scanner, that is when the find out what was missing
on the cheaper scanners.
It
is mainly in scanning 35mm slides that a normal flatbed is inadequate
in every way, shape, and form. Also, normal flatbed’s don’t
do too well with linework either.
Most
people who are moving into large format fine art printing are so excited
about their fancy new printer they make several fundamental mistakes:
1st, they forget they will eventually need a RIP; 2nd, they try to
make do with a cheap scanner.
Here
is the major difference in where you buy your fine art printer. If
the company that recommends your fine art printer is content with
a 1200 dpi scanner this is a good indication that this company itself
does not earn its living from having to scan 35mm slides in real life
(or even medium format). A 1200 dpi scanner is okay for medium format
and fine for 4x5 large format but 2000 dpi is far superior. And for
35mm you need 2300 minimum if a flatbed (Scitex EverSmart Jazz is
this your basic fine art scanner for the entry level) and the Scitex
EverSmart Pro II or EverSmart Supreme is the high end.
The entire range
of Creo (Creo-Scitex) scanners is available from Parrot Digigraphic.
The Creo Eversmart flatbed scanner range includes the Jazz, Jazz+,
Pro II, Select, and Supreme.
We recommend the
people at Parrot because they have years of experience with Scitex
scanner equipment. Even with the brand name change from Scitex to
Creo-Scitex to Creo, the Eversmart scanners are the same (now with
better software). Contact is: e-mail imaging@parrotcolor.com
fax (978)670-7744, Tel (978) 670-7766.
The
wonderful thing about writing reviews for FLAAR is that no one is
paying my salary. I don't earn a living from selling scanners, or
printers. Thus I don't have to sell my soul to sell a cheap scanner
just because I can earn a few bucks from such a sale, irrespective
of the fact that this cheap scanner will quickly proof woefully inadequate
for serious professional use.
Last
checked : Oct. 23, 2003
Previous updates : Jan. 15, 2003, June 2, 2001
