MICROTEK 1800f SCANNER & 4X5

Personnally, I would reccomend the Epson 2450 or higher for a flatbed.

I own the Epson 2450 myself, it was $200 refurbished, straight from Epson, and included all the original materials. I have done some 120 (6x6cm) work on it, but primarily I got it for making copies and prints of about 400 prints and 80 negatives that my mother's family has had since the late 1800s through today. Most of the negatives date back to the early 1900's, and are in an 8x14cm format.

So far, I have had wonderfull results with it. The only thing I am unsure of is what the dimensions are for 4x5, unless it's 4x5 inches. The light above the glass is 9x4 inches, I believe, so if 4x5 is 4x5 inches, then it should work just fine. I think it actualy has a film holder for something about that size.

I did own a Microtek before, and can say that there was no comparison to an Epson 2450. The biggest advantage, IMO, is the abilitiy to use Vuescan with the 2450. I had already invested $80 in that software for use with my Minolta Scan Dual, and I can say that there is no software that can compete. Without Vuescan, you will be most likely be left with some inferior proprietary scanning software, most likely twain.

Look up Vuescan at www.hamrick.com

I know I didn't really answer your question, but I hope I led you in a better direction,

Dan O.

Well Vuescan supports Microtek scanners. See this thread.

http://largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/topic/498605.html

The 1800f is in a totally different market than the Epson 2450. The 1800f is a professional scanner whereas the 2450 is a home use scanner. You would have to compare the Microtek 6100 Pro to the 2450 for it to be a fair comparison. The 1800f uses a glassless method of scanning positive and negative which produces an output that is devoid of newton rings and other imperfections that a home based scanner would produce. I personally have used the 1800f and am very impressed with it. It is an expensive piece of hardware but if you are concerned with maximum photo reproduction then it does everything it claims.

I have the Epsons 2400, 3200 and 4870. I just bought the 1800f for scanning 8x10s and I think it surpasses the Epsons by a considerable margin with 4x5 and medium format too. It produces better detail all the way around and scans faster..Evan