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Microtek ArtixScan 1800F Flatbed Scanner | List Price: $1,852.65
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Brand: Microtek
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2002-12-10
Features: - 3,600 x 1,800 dpi resolution, 48-bit color
- 4.8 maximum optical density
- Slide and filmstrip adapters, SnapTrans film templates
- USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces
- PC and Mac compatible; 1-year warranty
Professional Scanner at Decent Price [Posted on 2003-11-14]
I have been a Microtek fan for quite a few years, having started out with a Scanmaker III, then a Scanmaker 5, and finally progressing to the 1800f. The 1800f has firewire and USB connections, which makes switching between my PC and Mac effortless. Much easier to use then the old SCSI scanners I had and much improved optics. I was pondering getting a slide scanner but this one works great for archiving the thousands of slides that I have from my photography days. It has a slide holder so that you can have it scan quite a few slides at the same time, thus a nice time saving feature like my Scanmaker 5. The difference is this one has much crisper images and is light years ahead in speed. Overall I am very impressed with the scanner and its abilities.
Nice scans--but a persistent problem with my 1800F [Posted on 2004-09-19]
Bought my Microtek 1800F from Mac Zone last year for $1400 and got a $200,00 rebate some months later. I intented to use it for scanning 4x5 color transparencies and larger format B&W negative film. Scanning color 4x5's result in good detail and color, with data reaching 150+ MB. Black and white negatives are so sharp as to clearly show grain in fine-grained 4x5 negative film (when results are examined on screen at very high magnification).
But there is a problem with color results--every color scan (in varying degrees depending on which profile is used) shows an uneven color cast across the width of the film. The left side of the film is more magenta and grades to blue on the right side. It is a subtle tone, but becomes exaggerated with manipulation of the image that increases density, saturation, etc. Can't get it out and it appears in the prints. This only seems to happen with scanning of transparencies and not reflective scanning. If you scan B&W negatives in color, the color cast appears in the grey tones and has to be erased by dropping chromatics altogether.
It was my understanding that the Microtek 1800F was the next best thing to shelling out money for a drumscanner--and the scanner is worth the price for the good work it can do scanning B&W negatives for beatifully detailed B&W prints. But I've considered buying another 1800F at now discounted prices to see if I have a lemon--or buy a medium format scanner and be satisfied with using medium format film for critical color work. I could probably moderate the effect if I made my own 4x5 film holder orienting the film 90 degrees lengthwise.
Is this color shift a scanner problem (elements, mirror alignment?), a hardware problem or am I not turning off some incompatable function?
Additional observations of this scanner:
1) Not so good for scanning 35mm. My $300.00 Minolta dual III scans a far sharper image.
2) Whether it does a really good job of scanning medium format is questionable--they seemed a little soft.
3) The scanner is fixed focus, so there is not means of adjusting focus. Focus of 4x5's seemed ok, but variable with repeated scans.
A horrible experience [Posted on 2005-09-13]
Our company purchased the Artixscan 1800F for $1500 a little over a year ago.
Recently, the internal bulb burned out. We called customer service to buy a new bulb. For over two weeks, when calling customer service, we would get a recorded message that stated "customer service is currently closed to attend a special training session". Like I said, this went on for over two weeks! Finally, I called a different number I found on the internet. The person that answers the phone says she will connect me directly to someone in customer service. Yes, I get the "customer service is currently closed to attend a special training session" again. I called her back and tell this, she says let me try someone else. You guessed it, the same recording! After the fourth time of this, she says to me "don't take your frustrations with customer service out on me, I just answer the phone". Then she yells over her shoulder at someone "will you go upstairs and see what is going on". She then tells me that she sent someone upstairs to take the customer service message off, so try back in a half hour and someone will answer the phone.
I try an hour later and sure enough, someone does answer the phone. I tell her I want to buy a replacement bulb for my scanner and she tells me Microtek does not sell replacement parts for this scanner. I ask who does and she says she does not think anyone does. Now for my favorite part. I ask her what I should do and she suggests "I buy an new scanner".
I have never dealt with a more incompetent collect of idiots in my entire career. That includes my dealings with with the City and State. With service/support this bad, to give this scanner anything more than a star would do the customer rating system a disservice.
BTW, the scanner was very mediocre on color 2 1/4" transparencies (which is the majority of our scans) and the software dodgy at best.
All in all, a horrible experience.
Poor Quality-Poor Service Support [Posted on 2006-04-22]
Purchased a new Artixscan 1800f last January. I suspect that it was defective, since I had problems with the lamps from the beginning. Due to my very intense work schedule, I was unable to arrange for warranty service until last week. Microtek would not honor the warranty but wanted $400 to swap the unit for a refurbished one. Granted they would pay shipping, but, honestly, is it worth the price and is this the kind of service consideration one expects from a so-called "high-end" company. I am buying a new Epson in hopes that they will provide some latitude and discretionary consideration for this kind of expensive equipment.
Stay away from Microtek!!!!!!!!!!! [Posted on 2007-08-09]
My experience with Microtek has been a nightmare. They are rude and of no help whatsoever. When I received the scanner the inside of the glass was dirty so I called Microtek (no toll-free number) and was told to remove the top four screws and the top of the scanner would come off and I could then clean the glass. I did exactly that and the power button fell off and was broken. I then emailed them explaining the problem and they told me that my warranty was void and that I physically abused the machine!! In addition to that I attempted to purchase the parts and was told "we do not sell parts for our machines". What? So if you purchase a Microtek scanner and the warranty runs out, you are screwed. MICROTEK IS THE WORST COMPANY I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH IN MY 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS.
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