| Fuji C550 Lanovia Scan
 The scanning area is flush with the surface of the equipment, so you can scan large books, large paintings, drawings, pictures, photo enlargements, sections of larger objects that have a particular detail you wish to record at high quality. Here we are scanning 40 slides.
| PROS |
5000
optical dpi, true dpi, no sweet spot limitation, you get full
5000 dpi across entire surface.
- Enough
dpi to enlarge 35mm to print at poster size
- Enough
for medium format negs and transparencies to print at banner
size
- Enough
dpi for a 4x5 format chrome to print at banner or billboard
size
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Large
format flatbed
- Enough
to handle 11x17 tabloid oversize (13x18 inch full bleed)
or corresponding A3 oversize
- Large
enough to handle prints and small posters
- Large
enough to take 40 35mm slides in a single scan (pictured
below)
- Scanner
software automatically numbers each individual slide
in such a batch scan
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- Vibration
free design and construction. All lesser scanners vibrate
and wobble when operating, they have to, as the mechanism
inside initiates wobble the minute it begins to do a scan.
The Fuji is constructed of industrial strength iron girders
and has a central spine of solid iron (pictured below, a
view below the scanning plane).
- Easy
to use software that allows you do go as deep as you wish.
Beginners can stay on the surface, professionals can go
much deeper to find everything then need to fine tune the
color corrections needed to rescue most normal prints and
negatives.
|
- 16
bit data per color results in better colors that your eyes
notice immediately
- Better
3D scanning capability; some other flatbed scanners are
so oriented to prepress needs that they focus exclusively
on the glass plate. The Fuji naturally focuses here as well,
but the depth of field also allows impressive 3D scans.
|
This
scanner looks as though it were made by Krupp heavy industries.
The frame looks like it was constructed in the 1800's when workmanship
and heavy-duty parts were the norm. The result is that this scanner
should last well into the coming millennium. Your investment is
protected by the professional design and sturdy construction. This
is definitely a scanner that offers cost-effectiveness because it
will last for years and years.
CONS
This
scanner is intended for people who value quality, so is not an appropriate
choice if you want a cheap scanner made primarily out of plastic.
Due to the design and construction (to reduce vibration) this is
not a desktop model and thus not very portable. Otherwise, if anyone
can figure out a negative aspect of this scanner, please let us
know at FLAARMAYA@aol.com. We anticipate testing competing
models from other companies such as Heidelberg Prepress, so check
back in to this site in a few months. Conclusion, all plus and not
a noticeable minus.
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47
x 35 cm surface is over 13 x 18 inches (so larger than tabloid
full bleed, A3 oversize). Ask for a demo, Fujifilm Electronic
Imaging,www.ffei.co.uk, offices in all major countries and
most large cities. |
Product
comparisons:
since this scanner
is larger, has 5000 optical dpi over the entire bed, and prepress
quality software, it is rather unfair to compare it to other scanners
which are smaller, have full dpi only down the sweet spot (a narrow
band down the center of the scanner). Price is likewise unfair to
compare, since this scanner is so well constructed it will last
almost forever. Cheaper scanners cost less but will vibrate themselves
out of register, or fail altogether. Other scanners have sunken
flatbed plates, so you cannot scan any books or large objects.
Additional
scanners from Fuji: at Photokina 2000 and other trade shows it was
possible to look at several other new scanners by Fuji. These new
Fuji scanners offer outstanding value compared to other higher priced
models with less features. We are trying to get a contact address
as to where these scanners can be purchased on the USA.
Several
people who have tried to buy a Fuji Lanovia scanner have e-mailed
us back that they were unable to find any easy means to contact
Fuji. So we tried and found the same problem. No e-mail, no user-friendly
atmosphere on the FujiFilm web site. As a result we went to a trade
show (GraphExpo) to find a scanner from another company which was
as good if not better than the Fuji. After speaking with a variety
of people at all kinds of booths, and especially speaking with scanning
technicians, we can now report to have found a potentially better
alternative, namely the EverSmart professional
flatbed scanner from Creo.
We hope you find scitex.com more user friendly. If not let us
know (e-mail FLAARMAYA@aol.com) and we will send you the
telephone number and e-mail of key Creo people so you can get
information directly). Another plus, the EverSmart appears to be
more cost-effective.
Fujifilm originally had three classes of scanners: an outstanding drum
scanner, a top of the line C-550 flatbed (my absolute favorite since it
could do 3-D objects too), and two FineScan models.
|
Fuji Lanovia Quattro flatbed scanner at
DRUPA 2004,
Trade Show 2004 (Germany) |
At PhotoPlus 2003, and again at an early 2004 trade show in the US, the
word on the street was that Fujifilm was backing out of flatbed scanners.
When we heard this from three sources, we naturally assumed this was the
situation, especially considering the statements were very specific.
Thus during May, at DRUPA 2004, a huge prepress trade show in Germany, we
were pleasantly surprised to meet a team of Fujifilm scanner people that
were showcasing their FineScan 2750XL and Lanovia Quattro professional
flatbed scanners.
Since FLAAR is a photography institute for over 30 years, and since we are
now also dedicated to fine art reproduction, we are directly and personally
interested in any scanner that can handle 35mm, medium format, and large
format. We also cover scanning for prepress, proofing, creatives in graphic
design, and in-house design departments relative to our emphasis on input
for wide format inkjet printers such as Epson. Thus we are considering
updating our coverage of the Fujifilm FineScan models as soon as we can
have one for in-house testing at our university. So return to this page
later in the summer in case we have a Fujifilm scanner by that time.
Additional
reviews of the Fuji C-550 Lanovia on
www.flatbed-scanner-review.org
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Showing
actual
3-D objects (rabbits) and then showing the resulting
scan.
Scanning
40
35mm slides all at once.
|
Comparing
a 3-D object scanned with a 1200 dpi scanner and the Fuji
5000 dpi scanner. |
The
Fuji is
large enough to scan an object up to 45 cm long. Here
we show how this scanner handles a large 3-D object, a carved
wooden effigy of a jaguar. |
| Enlargement
of a scan of a native Mexican handicraft to reveal the full
detail in depth of focus that the Fuji C-550 Lanovia can
achieve (horse). |
Two
especially beautiful scans done with the Fuji scanner, on
the bottom
of this page of all the internal links to this site. |
Scans
of architectural history
(Missouri Ozarks) done with Fuji scanner. Bottom of the
page. |
| Scanning
4x5 chromes with the Fuji results in ability to enlarge
small details to poster size (jade). |
General
discussion of the Fuji Lanovia flatbed scanner. |
Mention
of the drum scanners which Fujifilm also makes. |
|
now being prepared, FLAAR reports by the Senior Review
Editor on flatbed scanners for prepress, photo archives,
and museums. Additional reports evaluate what scanner(s)
are best for digitizing your slides and photos for
digital printing, especially fine art giclee.
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FLAAR offers for you more information about this subject |
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