Thank you to everyone who responded to my original posting. In this email, I have summarized both our decision and the advice I got from others:
We ended up having to choose between two scanners in our general price range:
Epson _expression_ 1680 Professional (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/index.jsp , go to scanners)
Microtek Scanmaker 9600xl (http://www.microtekusa.com/sm9600xl.html)
Both scanners can handle 8x10 transparencies, which was our top criteria. The Epson scanner can scan at a higher resolution (1600dpi ) and has a slightly higher Dmax (or "maximum density"- I've been told this makes a difference in scan quality). I've also read good reviews on the LaserSoft SilverFast software that comes with the scanner. However, the scan bed is only 8 1/2 by 11 (though it can do 8x10 transparencies). The Microtek has a 12 x 17 scan bed, but it can only go up to 600dpi resolution, and the Dmax is slightly lower. I have gotten some good reviews of it from other institutions who are already using it (though I don't think it is known for its speed). After analyzing our needs and priorities and speaking with a number of the people who would be using the scanner frequently, I decided propose the Microtek scanner to our IT team (even though we have the $ budgeted it needs to get approval--one major factor was that we had a much stronger case for the Microtek! We are now in the waiting with crossed fingers phase!). Our biggest need was for the capability to scan oversized negs, which both could do, but the larger scan bed was ultimately more important to us than the higher resolution. We can scan at higher than 600dpi with the other flatbeds we already have, but none have oversized scan beds.
Many other products were recommended to me by people from the Archives and Museum Computer Network listservs. Epson has some higher end models that also do the larger format materials (a number of their products were recommended to me), but they are more expensive. Some other products recommended to me (most are are much more expensive and can handle much larger materials, but not all can do oversized transparencies) are Heidelberg's Linoscan line, Scitex EverSmart Pro (and Scitex scanners in general), Creo Eversmart Scanners, Fuji Scanners, Zeutschel (see http://www.thedocumentsite.co.uk/scanning.html for links to info. on this company and a number of others), Contex, Cannon, Panasonic, Kodak and Digibook.
I also had a couple of people recommend that we purchase a non scanning back digital camera and image the film through a flash unit light box type setup. This was unfortunately not an option for us. We have two professional union photographers on staff and anything that involves other staff members taking pictures gets us into union issues. Essentially, scanners are ok, but anything analog or digital camera related must be handled by our photographic department.
Hope this is helpful. If you have any questions/comments feel free to email me!
Jessica
Jessica Lehr
Historical Resources Digital Manager
Research Center, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
P.O Box 1970
Dearborn, MI 48124-4088
Telephone: 313-982-6100 x2271
Fax: 313-982-6222
Email: jessi...@hfmgv.org
Web Site: www.hfmgv.org/collections/default.asp
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