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Evangelical Zeal Part 2 (Revenge of the computer nerds!!!) - part 2 of 1 2 3 4 5

by Damian McGillicuddy Published 01/02/2001

It just meant making the right choice was a little more important.

I very quickly learnt that the majority of the high street shop's I went into had no depth of knowledge on their products (in general) and no demo models of the sort I wanted to see. One assistant manager for a chain (who shall remain nameless) actually told me they were forbidden to open any equipment as it would then reduce its sales price and as the stock was rapidly changing they could be left with a "lemon". So I quickly dismissed these shop's to the realm of the box shifters!!!

I needed hands on now. I was very lucky that my friend Chris (you remember him, he of the electronic garden hoe!!!) Had spent a couple of thousand on a Microtek scanmaker 4 for his retouching business. So I visited for a "fiddle". I was very impressed....

But it wasn't quite up to the job for what I wanted.

Then a very strange thing happened. I received a brochure through the post from Microtek extolling the virtues of their scanner range. The scanmaker 5 was now "top dog" but my interest was in a "budget" machine going by the name of the scanmaker X6.

I'd noticed in the write up that its specification was identical to Chris's "4". Although not certain I wondered if this was the product of the rapid pace of evolution and supersession. Could I be getting the same for a greatly reduced monetary amount? I made a note to tell Chris only if there weren't sharp objects around. By now I'd realised that the learning curve of digital imaging was steep to say the least and I needed to get some practise in. So although not the machine I wanted as it was not capable of "doing the bizz" as I saw it, for £250 the X6 would make a good learning tool. I've got to admit I was pretty impressed with the scans. As good as Chris's?

Definitely (ish).

I then had my second "digital revelation". It occurred to me that having prints made for scanning on the flat bed was actually no cost saving at all (an increase in fact) as we transproofed our work and no aggro / time saving. These factors had increased some what too. I also now know that for true quality you are somewhat handicapped if you just scan reflective i.e. prints. More of this latter.

The answer was obvious. Cut the prints out of the loop and scan the neg.. or transparencies direct. At this stage though the vast majority of film scanners were either dedicated to 35mm which was no good as I mainly shoot on medium format or well out of my price range (3.5K+) for a dedicated roll film scanner.

So my options seemed to be either "Shelve the project" or look round again a little harder. Its worth noting at this point that giving in is not necessarily an option I can accept.

Those who know me personally will be aware that I'm a great believer in "Things will work out for the better" and "All good things come to those who wait", (especially if you hustle while you wait). The point being that once more the time came around to February when me and me mate Chris (Hi Chris) do the annual pilgrimage to "Focus" at the NEC. Miraculously whilst "trawling the hall" and trying to miss those rep's you just don't want to speak to I came upon a purveyor of light hoods to fit the X6.

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1st Published 01/02/2001
last update 09/12/2022 14:54:02

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