Considering buying the Microtek X6EL which is both flatbed & slide scanner. Purpose is to scan transparencies of Architecture/Art History related subjects, then create CDs via an HP 8100i. Anyone with experience with this scanner, please? Thanks! Alec

-- Alec Hartill (hartills.art@sympatico.ca), December 19, 1998

Answers

Sorry for the slow response - Christmas, you know! If you're scanning larger than 35mm, the scanner mentioned might be fine, but 35mm is just so small, you'll almost certainly want the higher resolution of a dedicated slide scanner. (The density range of most flatbeds is also low, relative to the range of transparencies.) Higher-end flatbeds like the Microtex Scanmaker 5 would definitely get you into the ballpark, but are also much more expensive. Check our scanner reviews for several dedicated slide/film scanners, we'll also be having reviews up on the Minolta models and the lower-end Nikon within the next month or so, in addition to the Nikon, HP, and Olympus models already there. Good luck!

-- Dave Etchells (web@imaging-resource.com), December 26, 1998.