1990: Agfa was the leader for Photo Pros. And now who else ?

[bestofcomputer]

In 1990, Agfa was the only leader in the Professionnal Market of Photo Scanning + Magazine Scanning, because they had the best Optics, the best Engine, the best Chrominance, the best Clarity, the Purest Colors, the best Color Fidelity, and the best Drivers (with de-interlacing of Magazine Photos, which contain Weaves of CMYK Dots, as opposite as Photos that contain Contigus Tone of Colours).
But then, competitors came more and more, with a new ultra-slim technology, with a new lightning method inside the scanner, and new digital capture of the Photos, and with more and more cheap prices !
As a result, Agfa abandonned completely the Mainstream Market, and only continued the Ultra-Pro Market.
So, now that Agfa is no more out there, who else would you recommend, for Pros, as a best replacement of the legendary Quality of Agfa ?
- Umax ? Which Model ? Remember that Agfa was making the Engine of its own Scanners by Umax Manufactures...
- HP ? Which Model ? Remember that HP was an excellent contender to the quality of Agfa entry level models...
- Epson ? Could we call them Pros ? Which Model ?
- Canon ? Could we call them Pros ? Which Model ?
And, what do you think of the multifunctions ?
Do they have a Pro Scanner built-in ?
Or I should avoid these models for a Pro Use ?
Thanks.

 

[Osage]

To bestofcomputer,

Todays scanner market has a plethora of models and a huge range of pricing.
Price range can go from $50 to $5000-------without you specifying what you need, its really hard to make any recommendations. But in general, scanning small things like a 35mm slide or negative is the most daunting tasks the average person will face-------or so goes the general advice in the April/05 issue of consumer reports. Cu editors choice models are the Epson 2480 and the Canon 8400F--both scanners in the $100 range.----spend 1.5 to 3x more and you can get higher resolution------but very little more can be seen in output over a 300dpi resolution that any scanner more than offers unless the scanned object is very small. ---and scanner file size gets huge really fast.

Another site to check out would be Steves digicams------sort of a photo printing site with a forum section on scanners-----but be warned----some of these users think nothing of spending really big bucks to get small improvements iin output quality.

 

[bestofcomputer]

Hi.
Thanks for you reply.
I can precise my needs :
My needs are as follow :
- Photo + Magazine + Negative + Diapo Scanning for a Profesionnal Use, in an advertising Prefession.
- 48 bits internal + EXTERNAL !!!
- 4800 DPI OPTIC !
- Option for Negatives / Diapos.
- Optical Density = 3.0 Minimum
- Driver with de-interlacing Weaves from Magazine Photos.
I remember that when Agfa was the King, it was out the question to go for an Epson or even a Canon : Pros would have laughted at you !
So, now, I still hesitate when I am adviced to go for an Epson, or a Canon...
Have they really improved ?
I was believing that only German Umax was on the high end now.
But maybe I am wrong...
So, what could you suggest me now ?
Thanks.

 

[Osage]

To bestofcomputers,

Your needs are out of my league---so I defer this question to real scanning experts---or you might poll some people in the same profession.

But I am guessing you may spend some big bucks and hence some real research will be needed to avoid getting burned on something that won't meet all your needs.

 

[bestofcomputer]

Hi.
I have read a review and the best scanner for pro use is :
Microtek ScanMaster i900 Digital ICE.
It's a Tawain Company.
But it is also represented by Umax in Europe.
So, now I have my answer, and I share it with you.
But be aware that this model may not yet be available everywhere, and for now, only in Asia...
Thanks.
Bye.