Microtek SM1000XL for 11x14 negatives?

[Gene McCluney]

Just looking thru a recent MacMall flyer, they show a Microtek SM1000XL that has a 12x17 scan bed with a 12x16 transparency adaptor. I was wondering if anyone has used this scanner to scan 11x14 negatives? It seems to have more than adequate resolution for scanning this size of negative, considering the print sizes one might want to print.

What is the difference between the 1000XL, and the 1000XL Pro?

[Oren Grad]

Carl Weese has been using a Microtek 9800XL, which is also tabloid size but much less expensive than the 1000XL, to scan 8x10 and 7x17 negatives for printing in inkjet at 2x enlargement, with fine results. The scan area with the transparency adapter clips the long dimension of his 7x17's ever so slightly, but should handle 11x14's easily.

I'm not sure about Pro vs non-Pro on the 1000XL, but if you look for a 9800XL, keep in mind that it comes in two versions, with and without the transparency adapter.

[Ted Harris]

Gene, the 1000XL will do ok on 11x14. It has somewhat better resolution than the 9800. The XL pro is the model with the transparency adaptor.

Yes it will give you decent resolution for reasonable print sizes. Where it loses out to the professional flatbed scanners is in Dmax. You are not going to get the same tonal gradations or shadow detail from the 1000XL as you will from a high-end flatbed. We used the 1000XL for several months and found it did a good job. OTOH, at a price of ~ $2500 it is worth considering a used high-end flatbed too.

[Scott Squires]

Gene
B&H photo still has the Microtek 9800 XL and XLT in stock. Price is reasonable compared to most other options.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=microtek+9800&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t