Microtek ScanMaker i800 - flatbed scanner ( 1108-03-780001 )

List Price: $354.30 Discount Price: $275.95

Features:

• Built-in DIGITAL ICE - Automatically restores damaged photos & film; Identifies and eliminates unwanted surface defects; Easily corrects deep scratches, cracks, creases, rips and tears in photo print surfaces; Removes dust and lint from both negative and positive film; Saves time and money, letting you bypass several hours of painstaking manual restoration work
• Exclusive PictuRescue system - Total reconstruction and restoration solution for damaged photos & film incorporating two unique technologies - DIGITAL ICE and ColoRescue
• Comprehensive software, including Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0
• Built-in 8 x 12 transparency adapter
• EZ-Lock film holders with spring-actuated tension grips to hold film perfectly flat for precise alignment and consistent scan results / Film holders accommodate 35mm slides, 35mm filmstrips, 4x5 film, and medium format film up to 6x17-cm panoramic

Customer Reviews:

Best Film Scanner for the $$$$ [Posted on 2008-01-17]
Recently I acquired the medium format (120) film negatives from my wedding photographer. After researching many different brands and features, I came to the conclusion that this was probably the best film scanner for the money. Today, after scanning over 300 negatives in my spare time over the past month, I am still very happy with the scanner.

The main area that this scanner could be improved is the software for the entry level, first time user (which I think led to some of the poor reviews posted here). The basic scanning software included was not very easy to use and tending to produce lower quality images, including automatic correction that over-corrected. Once I figured out how to use the Scanwizard Pro software, I was able to produce very good quality images relatively quickly.

There are a number of key tips that Microtek ought to make first time users more aware of as well:

(1) Your operating system may not be compatible with the scanner.

(2) You need sufficient memory and disk space available on your computer for it to process the large image files a high density scan can produce.

(3) Unless you are trying to make 8x10 prints or bigger from a scanned 35mm negative or slide, you probably don't need the full 4800 dpi - which creates huge files and a slower scan.

(4) Scans using 48-bit color (16-bitx3)may be more accurate, but the file size will be twice as large than using regular 24-bit RGB (8-bitx3). If you want to save your scan as a standard jpeg, it will need to be in 24-bit RBG or 8-bit Grayscale format anyway.

(5) Features such as multiple passes and Digital ICE will slow down scanning dramatically. Unless you have damaged or dirty film, you probably won't need those features and scanning will go much faster.

(6) Digital ICE does NOT work on black and white film. Silverfast SE will save a black and white film scan as a negative image - you will need to invert the image in a different program.

Overall, if your looking to scan film on a budget like I was, this is the scanner for you. Comparable scanners with similar features seem to cost closer to the $500 range. My recommendation to get the best quality scans is to take some time and figure out how to use the some of the key features of Scanwizard Pro.

Slow as MOLASSES!!!! [Posted on 2008-01-18]
I bought this scanner to use for high-volume scanning for a professional video project. This scanner is so slow that the person I hired to do the work BOUGHT A DIFFERENT SCANNER AT HIS OWN EXPENSE TO AVOID USING THIS ONE!!!! EVERY time you start a scan this machine recalibrates itself and that alone takes about 90 seconds. This is true EVEN if you are scanning a series of images that are all the same size, format, type, etc. The scan tech said that he can do 4-5 scans on the EPSON he bought in the same time it takes this one to do ONE! And...over the course of a day of scanning the recalibration, BY ITSELF, adds about an hour to the scanning time. I'd sell my soul to be able to return this thing.

When I asked about ways to speed up operation or avoid the recalibration, this is the entire message I got back from Microtek tech support:
"Unfortunately, this is the way the scanner scans. There is nothing we can do to improve scan time."

'Nuff said.

Scanning Older Negatives and Color Negatives [Posted on 2008-03-02]
I don't own the scanner. I was shopping when I came across these reviews.

I see a lot of negative reviews of this scanner. The lack of support is a real big problem. If you have any problems with any equipment, you need help, and it doesn't appear that help will be forthcoming from Microtek.

I have scanned many a negative. I have recently jury-rigged my scanner to scan odd sized negatives that are from the 60's or earlier.

Scanning black & white photos is relatively easy. Scanning color photos is somewhat harder. A scanner is very unforgiving when it comes to color negatives. Everything about the placement of the color negative must be perfect or it will lead to disastrous results.

A color negative contains 3 or 4 times the information that a black & white negative contains. That is why it is harder to get a successful scan out of a color slide. Here are some helpful hints to think about when scanning older negatives, or even newer negative for that matter.

A color negative must be placed in the scanner in perfect orientation.

The edges of a color negative must not be bent at all or else your scan will be imperfect or just garbage. None of the negative must bent any any way shape or form, the negative must be perfectly flat. Even if you have to use painters tape to stretch it out or a piece of glass to flatten it out. If using or experimenting with glass, you must use Museum glass from a frame shop. Museum glass has a special coating on one side that reduces refections. The results are spectacular. You have to see it to believe it.

When trying to flatten a negative for a perfect scan, try using body heat to flatten it out. A little heating of the negative will cause it to flatten out. I use a hair drier on low heat and barely heat us the negative. Don't use a lot of heat of you will damage the negative. When handling a negative at any time always use Vinyl Gloves to do so. If heating the negative from body heat, place the negative between your hand with your Vinyl Gloves on and after about 30 seconds the negative will be pliable. You have to be quick. When the heat dissipates from the negative it will start to curl again.

Use a can of air to blow dust off of a negative and your scanner top. Use a special glass cleaner only to clean the glass. DO NOT USE WINDEX. They have changed their formula and using will leave streak marks that are very hard to get off. When cleaning the glass (especially museum glass). Use a cleaner that used a higher alcohol content. DO NOT select a cleaner that has either bleach, ammonia or vinegar in it. It is better that you use rubbing alcohol if you have nothing else available. You may have to experiment with glass cleaners to get the best result.

That is all I can think of for now. Good Luck!!!

scanner ok, software not [Posted on 2008-03-15]
I have a Microtek scanner and just downloaded the latest drivers. It turns out Microtek wants a program called Scan Finder to load at every start-up, and there is no way to disable this. The product works satisfactorily, but for my money, I will purchase something else. Something that doesn't create such a nuisance, and isn't so invasive.

Not perfect, but extremely good [Posted on 2008-06-01]
I bought this scanner to replace an old and unsupported Umax model that would not work at all with Windows Vista, and decided on this model after comparing prices and features, and I'm glad I did.

One thing to note -- this thing weighs quite a bit, so make sure you have a large, sturdy surface to put it on.

Installation was almost flawless. The CDs that came in the package had older drivers, so I downloaded the latest versions from the Microtek website. My biggest concern was that my computer runs the 64-bit version of Vista Ultimate. While the US site says a 64-bit version is not available at the present, the UK site says the latest version was compatible, and it does indeed work. There was a note, however, that Vista may need a hotfix in order to use the Firewire port -- can't verify this, as I am using USB on my computer.

There was a glitch somewhere between Vista, Photoshop CS2 and the scanner drivers where I could not get previews using the included ScanMaster Pro, although it fixed itself somehow.

My only minor complaints is the amount of time it takes the scanner to warm up after turning it on -- about half a minute compared with a few seconds for the old Umax. Plus, I have not been able to get it to scan pencil sketches and get the exact same results as I had with the Umax. Still, I do not regret the purchase at all.

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