Best bang for the buck scanner

[Rider]

Is there any competition right now for the Epson V750/V700?

[Ted Harris]

The discontinued Microtek 1800f if you can still find one.

[Iskra 2]

It depends. What are you scanning and for what end use? Perhaps a refurbed Epson 4870/4990....... Regards.

[vinny]

I've got a friend who purchased a howtek drum scanner for $800 on ebay a while back. It cam with one drum and the mounting station. It's huge but are you going to get a better scanner for the money?

[JW Dewdney]

There was a Crosfield on ebay several weeks back... I won it at $35 - can't do better than THAT bang-for-the-buck wise...! Understandably the seller didn't want to go through with it unless I ponied up another $1500 or so (which is INSANE even at that price!).

In case you're interested - and/or close to minnesota - the HOLY GRAIL of scanners is currently at $995 on ebay. Lino-Hell Chromagraph 3300 (!!!). It has a DMax of 15!

[Frank Petronio]

Just look for an Epson 4990 for $250 or so.

If you get a drum scanner you probably should get two, one for parts. Plus a classic old Mac system (or two) to drive it.

[Ted Harris]

To add to waht Frank said if you get a drum scanner, or high end flatbed for that matter, be prepared for the possibility of spending some significant $$$ for software and aprts to get it running and keep it running. You coul dget lucky but not usually if you buy it cheap cheap.

Just as an example, remember that the software for many of these machines costs upwards of $2500.

[Rider]

I think a drum scanner is beyond my reach...(But it's good to know the option is there in case I quit my day job!) the Epson 4990 is selling for around 400; I haven't seen any reburbished ones for a while; For that kind of money, wouldn't the V700 be a better choice?

How about the new Microtek that's been promised for June--worth waiting for?

[Frank Petronio]

Well I haven't tried the 700 over my 4990, but I have had about every other generation of the Epsons and my casual opinion is it takes 3-4 years to really see a significant improvement in hardware... but sometimes something awesome comes along... I suspect the next generation will be pretty nice, the 710 or whatever.

I am sour on Microtek after trying two faulty 1800fs, even though the specs are very good I need a scanner that actually works... the Epsons have consistently been reliable, although I am sure they make a few lemons too.

[Kirk Gittings]

I think a refurbished 4990 is the best deal around. It is not as good as a 750 but reasonably close. The difference would not be seen until around a 16x20 or so. I actually think the mechanics of a 4990 are slightly better but the optics, sensor, and adjustability of the 750 is slightly superior.