If
an enlargement of the image on a wide format printer holds all the
detail, this is the best way to demonstrate that a flatbed scanner
has the necessary resolution.
SilverFast,
from LaserSoft, is a new software for flatbed scanners. Silver Fast
is multifaceted. Related versions of SilverFast scanner software
can even run the prestigious digital cameras from Leica, the elite
of 35mm digital cameras.
Silver
Fast software works on most models of Umax flatbed scanners
from their entry level flatbed scanners through the PowerLook II
and PowerLook III as well as the Umax PowerLook 3000 flatbed scanner.
Silver Fast also works on Nikon 35mm film scanners (Nikon
CoolScan), on flatbed scanners from Agfa, Microtek,
Epson, and Hewlett-Packard, among others. Additional versions
of Silver Fast work on drum scanners from Howtek and Crosfield,
www.silverfast.com.
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Scan
of a textile on a Umax scanner
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The
$64,000 question is whether a $64,000 scanner can produce an image
that is visibly superior. Obviously a drum scanner will enlarge
to a greater size, but that is not the point here. The question
scanner buyers have is, "can I get by with a $4,000 scanner
when I need to create basic posters from my scanner?"
Now
you know why UMAX likes our test suite. We easily demonstrate, with
visual proof, that a scan from a UMAX
PowerLook (I, II, or III) enlarges handsomely to large format.
Now
that the price of a Umax III has dropped by more than half,
now is the time to give your old scanner to charity or to your kids,
and indulge yourself with a Umax III.
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| Close
up of the scanned textile |
If you want sophisticated
software with the same kind of scanner, consider the Linotype-Hell
Saphir Ultra 2.
Next
step obviously is to scan the same images on a $15,000 Howtek,
and then go up the scale, into Fuji, Screen Cezanne up to the price
range of a Scanview or Creo. We are currently reviewing
the EverSmart
scanners from Creo. Creo scanners are what professionals use.
Although I a very happy with the two Umax scanners and the one Heidelberg
scanner that I have, when I need to do an enlargement the Scitex
scanner provides better quality (as it should, FLAAR has the Creo
EverSmart Supreme, the top model of the high end prepress scanners).
FLAAR
has moved from desktop publishing into the higher end and recently
tested an Imacon vertical scanner. For people interested in scanners
for design and graphics studios, prepress service bureaus, advertising
agencies, and comparable graphic arts businesses, we review drum
scanners on a site, www.flatbed-scanner-reviews.org.
We
do one thing at a time. First result is to demonstrate that the
PowerLook III is decidedly faster and produces better images
than earlier models (keeping in mind that we also have super images
from the PowerLook II and even its predecessor the original PowerLook
model of 4 years ago, which is still in our office cranking out
images).
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FLAAR Premium Report - Series on Scanners |
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FLAAR now has a great variety of reports, where you can find practical information,
help and tips about which you need.
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