Microtek ArtixScan 1800F Flatbed Scanner

Rating:
Summary: Nice scans--but a persistent problem with my 1800F
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Professional Scanner at Decent Price
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Professional Scanner at Decent Price
Review: 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.