Obtain reviews of flatbed scanners, evaluations and discussion of which flatbed scanner is best for 35mm slides and negatives, medium format film, or 4x5 inch large format chromes.


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Inquiry-Survey Form to get information on Flatbed Scanners

We cover Epson flatbed,Fuji, Creo(Scitex) EverSmart (all models), Imacon, ICG drum scanners, Heidelberg-Linoscan-LinoColor, Umax, Cruse reprographic copy stand scanner cameras and comparable professional equipment. Reports mention Howtek, Aztek, Agfa and Microtek but they are not our favorites. We naturally know the Nikon and Polaroid scanners (and have them in our facilities) but we prefer the more professional scanners that are needed for prepress, photo studios, archives, libraries, universities, newspapers, photographers, museums, artists and people wanting to do fine art giclee prints.

As soon as you fill out the provisional inquiry form (below) we will recognize what FLAAR scanner report(s) you need, and will send it. Our university sends these at no cost. We provide follow up via partners trained with the specific professional scanner brands that would be most appropriate for you. FLAAR will send the Reports by Nicholas Hellmuth first. Since FLAAR offices are in Germany and Latin America, it's easier to handle follow-up for the USA directly from the scanner companies in America.

Our ability to prepare the reports we are sending you is only possible if we learn what features people want, like and dislike about the major brands of scanners.

Please do not ask about consulting or FLAAR training course, drivers, software headaches, repairs, or cheap scanners. We are unable to respond. Please do NOT ask about used scanners or obsolete models. Although 12 people work at managing the web site network and answering all the e-mail, we no longer respond to e-mails that our outside our area of coverage. Also we do NOT cover recommendations of what company can do your scanning for you.

Sorry, we do NOT cover HP scanners nor any entry-level home or simple office scanners. We do not cover automatic document scanners.

Our ability to prepare the reports we are sending you is only possible if we learn what features people want, like and dislike about the major brands of scanners.

  YOU CAN ALSO SELECT A SPECIFIC REQUEST FORM, DEPENDING ON THE INFORMATION YOU ARE MOST INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT.

CHOOSE FROM:
Reports on Flatbed Scanners
scanners for photo realistic perfection and fine art giclee auality
Comments on wide format scanners

.

Please complete the required fields *

Yes, Please send me the following reports free FLAAR reports: You can get up to five reports at no cost ( just send in this Survey form).

Help, have FLAAR decide what reports are most appropriate (use this option if you prefer for the FLAAR editors to decide which are the most appropriate titles to send you, based on your needs and your situation).
First Step | Please answer the following basic information questions in order to get FLAAR reports.
What do you need to print? What are your Applications?

PERSONAL INPUT* : Use your own words to describe how can we best assist you with information on scanners.

STATUS: Why are you researching today? *
I intend to buy soon I am researching to buy later I just want to learn more

SUBJECT*: What do you scan? 3-D objects, actual paintings, or just transparencies or photos?

SIZE: What size do you need to scan? *
35mm slide or negs Wide format sheet fed scanners for maps, 36" and wider; $15,000 and up
Medium format Overhead scanners (4x5 digital scan backs) for scanning paintings or objects ($15,000 to $50,000)
Large format 4x5" Large objects ($20,000 to $120,000)

QUANTITY: How many documents do you scan at any one time (eg individual negs or an entire photo archive)

PRICE RANGE: (sorry, we do not cover cheap scanners)
$1800-$2500 for home use $2500-$4000, small business or hobby
$5000-$15,000 quality scanning $15K to $34K, serious pre-press, photo, fine art giclee
$35K to $45K, high end flatbed $45K and up, drum scanners
$50K to $97K, reprographic (overhead) CCD scanners  

YOUR EXPERIENCE:
This will be my first scanner I am intermediate level
Already have a scanner (which brand and model )

WHAT OTHER SCANNERS HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT? Please indicate brands and models where possible


LIKES: What features and options do you seek ? * Before you read our site what scanner brands were you disposed to want or like?
Your comments here help Nicholas with suggestions for his upcoming book, as well as provide ideas to incorporate in updates to the reports.


DISLIKES: What don't you like about scanners you know about or have heard about up to now.
SCRUTINY: is there any advertising hype you would like an opinion on; we trust you are aware of the tendency for ads to sort of exaggerate.
Scanners which claim "drum scanner quality" are dubious at best and deliberately misleading at worse. Claims of density range vary from dubious to unlikely except on the better scanners. Low price scanners that use the word "professional" in their ads are especially suspicious.

DO YOU OWN A WIDE FORMAT PRINTER? If so, which brand (and model if you know it)?*
I use only letter size desktop printers I use only 13 x 19 inch (A3)
NO
Yes, which brand(s)? , model

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ANY PARTICULAR PRINTER ? * Which brand and model (if you know it)?

PRINT SIZE: What width(s) prints might you need? *
Undecided/Not Sure 41-47 inches (Average cost US $10-12 K)
Letter Size 8 1/2" x 11" or A4 48-64 inches (Average cost US $15-25 K)
13 x 19 inches (The smallest size we cover) 65-73 inches (Average cost US $15-30 K)
24 inches (Average cost US $2-5 K) 74 inches and wider (Average cost US $20-300 K)
30-40 inches (Average cost US $4-8 K)

WHAT DO YOU NEED YOUR PRINTS FOR? *
Outdoor Indoor Explain for what markets do you print?

COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM: Select as many as you actually work with
Windows MacOs Unix Linux Other

STEP 2: In order for us to send you the reports and following-up helps to know how to reach you

WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS ARE YOU ?*
Individual, printing as hobby Individual, printing as home-based business, second business, retirement business
Educational, library, museum Church, organization, advocacy group, other non- profit  
Growing company (3 people and growing) I manufacture printers, RIPs, inks, or media
Business (commercial sized company) Government, including military, police, fire, parks, etc
Student (you still get all the reports) Other , be specific
MAIN BUSINESS ACTIVITY:* (Photo studio, prepress, fine art giclee, archieve,...)
COMPANY NAME :
(if applicable)
www: (if applicable)
Explain in detail; we read every word. You do not have to be a company to get the FLAAR reports, you may print giclee for a hobby
(we will still send you your reports).
NAME* E-mail * Telephone Country*
Street City State Zip
STEP 3: On what subjects do you wish follow-up?

SPECIAL NEEDS, special questions, if any, about scanners. We can only respond with our standard reports but we do read your every word. Follow-up service: please be realistic on which level you prefer.
Yes I wish follow-up on entry-level 35mm slide scanners (Nikon, Polaroid, etc.)
Yes, I wish follow-up on midrange slide scanners (Fuji, Creo iQsmart, etc.)
Yes, I wish follow-up on high-end top of the line slide scanners (Aztec, Fuji, Creo).
Yes, I am also curious about wide format inkjet printers: please arrange follow up on
Epson , Hewlett-Packard DesignJet , Other brands

 
Benefit for filling out this survey form

You will receive within 48 hours, at no cost, automatic download full-color reports by Nicholas Hellmuth via Adobe Acrobat PDF format. This is a service of Francisco Marroquin University, Digital Imaging Resource Center (FLAAR).

YES, I want FLAAR Reports by Nicholas Hellmuth and have filled out the Survey Form in exchange for the reports. I understand that survey statistics are utilized to better understand markets and applications. In return for the FLAAR reports I allow FLAAR to use my comments to update and improve the coverage in FLAAR material as well as to assist manufacturers understand the flaws of their current products so better products can be offered in the future.

First we send you at least three first level FLAAR report(s) on the topics that you have selected. If your discussion more fully explains your interest (your uncertainties are as acceptable as is your experience) we will try to throw in a few additional titles. We will also send you several Previews (at no cost, no obligation) in case you might later prefer to order some of the premium level reports. Next, if your comments relative to digital imaging equipment suggests that a follow-up would be helpful, then we select support staff from a pertinent partner company that can best follow-up directly with you. They will contact you with additional counsel based on the questions you have asked or problems you have indicated.

NO, I do not wish any follow-up on outside product information, but wish to auto-download the free reports from the links below* By choosing the NO option you indicate you do not wish any follow-up from third-parties. Although you do not need to send this inquiry form to obtain the free auto-download reports, we have no way to know what FLAAR information to send you unless you tell us where you need help in digital imaging. By sending this form, you only receive notification directly from FLAAR, including new publications or future university courses on printing, scanning, color management, and digital photography or additional survey forms (which bring additional FLAAR reports at no cost). I understand that survey statistics are utilized to better understand markets and applications.

In return for the FLAAR reports I allow FLAAR to use my comments to update and improve the coverage in FLAAR material as well as to assist manufacturers recognize the flaws of their current products so better products can be offered in the future. You will receive 3 and potentially up to 5 FLAAR reports in exchange for sending in this survey form. If you range of interests is narrow, please understand there may not be more than 2 or 3 reports that fit.

If you checked No follow-up, please download the following reports yourself; because they are auto-downloads, the FLAAR staff will not send them to you; you can get them directly yourself.

You will receive minimum of 3 and potentially up to 5 FLAAR reports in exchange for sending in this survey form. We will also send you, at no cost, pertinent Abstracts of other publications. If you checked No follow-up, please download the following reports yourself; because they are auto-downloads, the FLAAR staff will not send them to you; you can get them directly yourself.
Click here for a free auto-download the list of FLAAR reports.
Click here if you wish to get sample comments from people who have read the FLAAR reports.
Click here for an auto-download of "who and what is FLAAR"
Click here for auto-download of syllabus on course Digital Photography as Input for Wide Format Printer Output.

All reports are in full color and only in electronic format. Please note that there are three kinds of FLAAR Reports. Abstracts, lists, and certain other introductory reports are all free. However anything in a series is sold only as part of that series. Generally, for every series which has a cost, there is one free introductory report or abstracts version which is free. This way you can sort of try before you buy. You will never be charged for any report which our staff send to you as a result of filling out this form. There is no obligation, none whatsoever, to purchase any series.

All first level reports (the ones you receive as a result of this form) are provided by our university in response to your survey form.

The premium reports are available only when you go to our special order pages and use your credit card to order them.
All reports are in full color and only in electronic format. Please note that there are two kinds of FLAAR Reports. Abstracts, lists, and certain other introductory reports are all free. However anything in a series is sold only as part of that series. Generally, for every series which has a cost, there is one free introductory report or abstracts version which is free. This way you can sort of try before you buy. You will never be charged for any report which our staff send to you as a result of filling out this form. All first level reports (the ones you receive as a result of this form) are provided by our university in response to your survey form. All abstracts are likewise free; there is no obligation, none whatsoever, to purchase any series.

Sorry no reviews on cheap letter-size desktop printers; we are no longer able to answer questions about small desktop printers. Please understand.

You will receive free reports from the first level material. If you wish additional reports and don't want to bother filling out any forms, you can order second level premium reports
directly from www.wide-format-printers.NET.

If you need help on how to prepare digital images to feed your wide format printer (what resolution do you need), then you should sign up for
the FLAAR course on "Digital Photography as Input for Wide Format Inkjet Printing Output."

Your inquiry form will be answered by the FLAAR staff at the university. We will send you all the pertinent reports in convenient PDF format. Since our offices are scattered around the world we can't always telephone you for a follow-up. Also, our staff of 15 people are working on evaluating equipment...or answering your e-mail. Thus to provide additional information on media, inks, RIPs, lamination, trimmers-cutters and details on printers that are of interest to you, we have found pertinent experts at the leading large format printer trade shows who can answer your questions personally. As soon as we ourselves send you the informative tips and help, we will forward your e-mail so your questionscan be answered as follow-up by our partners more thoroughly.

Please do NOT send us e-mails asking where to repair equipment, where to get images printed, or how to handle Photoshop. For the latter questions please look under "Training" in the index to each of our sites.

 
Specials Sets FLAAR
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NEW! Scanners
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.. Fine Art Giclee Printers
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.. Surviving in the Wide Format Printing World

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.. About FLAAR
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.. Cameras
   
.. Drum scanners
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.. Reprographic system
.. Wide format scanners
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Links added Mar.2002, Last updated November, 2003, Redesigned January 2004

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Any problem with this site please report it to msierra@ufm.edu.gt, or if you note any error, omission, or have a different opinion on a review,
please contact the review editor,FLAARtest@aol.com, or find out how to meet Nicholas Hellmuth and speak with him personally