I'm about to get a Microtek 1800f to scan 8x10 and I'm wondering what the best way to set the carriers up is? I noted that some people are replacing the glass in the 8x10 carrier with Anti-Newton Ring glass from Focal Point and others are simply buying coated museum glass from a good frame shop. Obviously I would like to go cheaper, but having never seen the Microtek carrier, is the thickness of the glass going to make a difference?

Is there any point at revisiting the i800-i900 or Epson 4990 scanner if all I am looking for is 2-300 mb scans? After all I have been the guy chirping in the background about how crazy you guys are for making these giant scans, but I simply am not going to buy a 4 gig Photoslop box or an Epson 9800 next week either...

I plan on using VueScan on OSX - any issues?

And finally, will I be able to get the film edges in the scan with any of these scanners? Including the notches and all that nice 1980s Avedon film frame goodness?

8x10 is sure fun.