Choosing a Scanner

[Jason C-M]

My A3 (11"x17") flatbed scanner just gave up the ghost, and I need a new one (quickly, as I've got to keep up steam on this perspective book I'm doing if I'm going to make deadlines).

I see two options, but if anyone wants to recommend something different, I'm all ears.

1. a Mustek A3, which is pretty much the model I've had for the past fewyears. It only scans 300dpi Vertical and 600 dpi horizontal, and it's color's not so good. But most of my scanning is b/w and I can use thedigital camera for color (Canon Digital Rebel).

2. a Microtek 9800 XL which scans 3200 x 1600 dpi and assumably has better color.

The mustek is under $200, and I can swing that without much problem. The Microtek is over $900 and would break the bank. As a professional artist, I don't know if I really need the higher res and color, or since I'm always working larger and downsizing, I don't need that extra dpi anyway? Or if I buy the cheaper model, I'm just going to be shelling out for the more expensive one in six months time? (I generally work in comics and illustration)

[Fipse]

If you´re a professional artist you should know if you´re in the need for a cheap or an okayish scanner. I personally considered to buy the Mustek, too, for my private stuff because I´m too lazy puzzling my A3 sketches together. I bailed out because of the quality of the scans that didn´t met my personal demands. I found the scanner had no good depth of field and bad truth of colours. The problems with the colours can be absorbed with a good overall calibration if you´ve got a passable monitor and know how to set up profiles in Photoshop. Having just a cheap system at home (Samtron 96P) I decided for a cheap A4 scanner with less colour problems that´s o.k. for me.

The higher res and colour is simply important if you´re working in print and want to get good results. Then I would recommend the Microtek that has overall okayish results for a home based scanner. We´re using one in this class in my firm for low to midlevel scanning but we´ve got a good overall colour management. Maybe it´s better - depending on what you want to do - to use a professional scanning service but without me knowing what your concrete intentions are take all my advices with a grain of salt.

Fipse

[Jason C-M]

Thanks for weighing in, man.

[pr54]

The Canon DR-7080C works well for large originals. There are other good large format flatbeds, but you want a good brand for your sketches. Here's a good guide (http://www.pickyguide.com/computers_and_software/flatbed_scanners_guide.html) to help you. :)