Microtek ScanMaker i900 Review at Imaging Resource

Mark Goldstein | Scanners | April 19, 2005 | 2 Comments |

Imaging Resource have published a review of the Microtek ScanMaker i900 flatbed scanner.

“Looking for a scanner that can handle film as well as flats is like looking for a camcorder that can take great stills. If you ever did find one, no one would believe you. They really address different problems. But the i900 attacks the problem with a large dual bed design, adequate optical resolution precisely controlled for multiple scans and a high DMax to capture shadow detail. And Microtek supplies the IT8 targets you need to calibrate it. Our tests showed that whether we ran it from ScanWizard Pro, SilverFast Ai or VueScan, we were able to get excellent results with both flats and film (positive and negative). We’re starting to wonder about that dual-purpose camcorder and even the Fountain of Youth.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Microtek ScanMaker i900 Review

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#1 Bob Tyson

Microtek's i900 is a beautiful scanner, all right, so long as you don't take too seriously it's claims to reach all the way up to 8 x 10 transparent scanning capability.

Probably this feature -- or more accurately it's lack -- won't affect many, but then again the scanner is touted by Microtek for its generous, dedicated transparent-media scanning virtues. For small and medium-formats, there are the Snap-Trans holders, which are very cool and do what they are supposed to. But for 8 x 10, there is only an open glass holder on which the film must sit, unsecured and unprotected.

I have not been able to make a successful scan from an 8 x 10 transparent original on this scanner. The scans all disaply vertical (that is, in the sense parallel with the scan head movement) stripes or lines of differing density and color. Cleaning the calibration area glass had no effect. Scanning 4 x 5 negs and transparencies is fine, a joy in fact.

It gets worse. The unsecured 8 x 10 materials are at very high risk of being chewed up by the moving scan head, and I have lost a negative this way.

Poor quality scans are one thing. Chowing down on irreplaceable film originals is another. Microtek: I present you with one, nearly brand-new, small and medium-format scanner.

Thank you!

11:42 pm - Thursday, January 12, 2006

#2 Snappy Snaps

We bought one recently to try out in one of our store. The reviews i have got are similar to that of Bob's and in addition to that its too slow even on very high speed computer. It takes age's to scan transparencies. when it come to software it was horrible to use and understand. So i suggest to look for another alternative. Our trial unit has gone back and trade marked as non recomended product in our group.

7:33 am - Friday, May 16, 2008