what is best for scanning art/transparencies?

[Carmel Walden]

Can anyone give me advise about which scanner to buy. I am a watercolor painter who wants to scan small originals and transparencies of my work, to be made into fine-art prints on my Epson 4000. AND I don't want to break the bank. Any suggestions?

[Ron Marshall]

Carmel,

What are the maximum dimensions of the art you will scan?

[Carmel Walden]

Ron, I do not think I can afford to scan anything bigger than 8.5 X 11", but am hoping to scan transparencies of my larger works so that I can reproduce them that way. I have previously paid a company to drum scan the transparencies, but I'm wondering if I can use a flatbed. I'd like to print out at least 16 X 20" good-quality prints. Thanks so much for thinking about this. All the reviews seem to tell me something different and I wonder if they are just backing the company of choice. It is overwhelming. Carmel

[Kirk Gittings]

If you are not going to print anything larger than 16x20 on the 4000, an Epson 4990 is plenty of scanner for you for film up to 8x10. It will not scan anything larger than that reflective or film. To get something that will scan larger is very expensive.

[Ron Marshall]

Carmel,

I have never used a scanner, but I have done lots of research and soon will purchase the Epson 4990. From what I have read on this site and elsewhere it will do what you need and anything better will be at least three or four times the price.

There is lots of pertinent information on this site, and the posters are generally very knowledgeable.

Recent post about the 4990: http://largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/topic/501477.html

[Carmel Walden]

Kirk, I will only be scanning 4X5s. Do you think the 4990 is a lot better for this than the 4180? THANKS! Carmel

[Carmel Walden]

Just got Ron's link to the link to the poster's info. on the 4900. It is so nice to find a group who knows about this stuff! REALLY appreciate your help.

[Kirk Gittings]

Carmel,
I have not used the 4180. I have had the 3200, 4870 and 4990 pro versions. Each has been a worthwhile upgrade.

[Carmel Walden]

Thanks so much! I should be able to make a good decision with all the help.

[Jim Noel]

The 4990 does a good job, but you should also take a look at teh Microtek i900.

It scans negatives to 4x5, and flat work to legal size.

The Microtek scans to a density range of 4.4, the 4990 to 4.0.
The Microtek scans negatives to 4x5 in a frame below the scanner so that the image does not pass through glass as the Epson does, therefore the scans are sharper and contain finer details.
Jim

[Bruce Watson]

If your maximum print size is going to be 20x16 inches, and your art is flat, I would think seriously about using a digital camera. The workflow is much simpler, takes less time to implement, and takes variables out of the question (film processing, scanning). Of course, it has it's own set of learning curves. But it would work for this service, I think.

Just a thought. Of course, YMMV.

[bob carnie]

Hi Carmel

I agree with Bruce Watson, If your artwork is large you can light it and use a digital camera as Bruce suggest.

[Carmel Walden]

I am looking into the 4990 and the Microtec 1800 now, and looking to see how much money I can beg, steal or borrow. How much do you think I would have to shill out for a decent camera? Most of the time I need 16 X 20s but occasionally someone orders larger prints. Would it be possible on either the Microtec or a camera under $1000 to print larger than 16X20?
As of now I can actually print 12X18s from my little Canon Powershot s50 (5.0), so a camera upgrade might be the best next step. Any suggestions? Thanks so much everyone!

[Ron Marshall]

Hi Carmel,

Upgrading your current 5MP digicam to either a 6.3 or an 8MP Canon digital SLR will improve your image quality, especially with the 8MP, mainly less noise.

Here are the current Canon prices at KEH, (I am not associated with KEH in any way) they are a good source for used equipment)

http://www.keh.com/shop/product.cfm?bid=DC&cid=02&sid=newused&crid=10466426

Also, a couple of posters on this site have traded their Microtek 1800s for 4990s.

[Carmel Walden]

Thank you so much for helping me muddle through this. I am amazed by your generosity. Carmel

[Marv Thompson]

I got the 4990 a week or so ago and have done 30 or so 8 X 10 scans so far. (Actually, I am scanning some right now) From closing the lid to finish the scan takes 2 minutes and 10.5 seconds, I just timed one with the stop watch I use for time exposures. That is at 300 dpi, 3000X24000, 20.59mb, 24 bit color. I haven't experimented to much with settings, just trying to get my work flow down, then the tests. I have a few examples of the first scans over on photo.net if you are interested. I plan on getting a quicky 8X10 printed this weekend to compare to my fiber prints. I'll let you know what happens.

[Carmel Walden]

Thanks- I'll check out the photo.net site! Let me know if/when you print out larger format prints if you don't mind. Thanks!