Thanks Britt and Bruce!

The Epson 11000XL is the one I'm eye-balling, Britt. I hear you on the great resolution of photo scanners, but I've been frustrated with the constraints of an 8.5 x 11" scan bed for a while, and even though 12 x 17" isn't massive, it'd make my life much nicer.

Bruce, thanks for the reminder on file size - it's definitely something to consider and I'm fully aware of how cumbersome ultra high-res documents can be to work with. Most clients are happy with 300dpi, but I have one now that is requesting 1200 (the original artwork will be a series of illos that are only about 5 x 5" a piece, and the primary use is likely at scale, or smaller, but they will also need to use them down the road for large scale display, and a 5 x 5" piece won't scale nearly large enough without the extra dpi).

Looks like Christmas will be coming early to my studio this year. ;)

-Natalya


On Sep 2, 2013, at 1:45 AM, Britt Griswold wrote:

> If the issue is original art size, you are probably interested in the Epson or a Microtech 12 x 17, there has been a lot of consolidation in the Scanner market.  The results will probably not be sufficient for small transparencies.
> 
> If the issue is more one of resolution, there are some very nice Epson photo scanners.
> 
> You will likely want to find one with the right scanning software and calibration cards and transparency targets.  I think VueScan and Silverfast are your two real choices. I have been very happy with Silverfast. But I only have a smaller older epson photoscanner. It has been a while since I needed a large scanner for the work I do.
> 
> 
> Britt Griswold
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Natalya Zahn [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Sun, 1 Sep 2013 14:26:03 -0400
> Subject: [SCIART] High end scanners - thoughts?
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> It's become clear that I need to upgrade the means by which I import my paintings and drawings into the computer - my $200 desktop scanner is limited to 600dpi, and only 8.5 x 11". Tiling large images is a pain, and I really need the option of super high resolution for some clients.
> 
> I know some artist's prefer the copy stand/photography route, but I actually think a high quality scanner is more my taste: many of my pieces involve scanning multiple layers - an ink drawing, a gouache painting, a texture, etc - and combining them in photoshop, and I just like the ease of throwing each layer into the scanner before I fuss with them.
> 
> Does anyone use a large format flatbed that they like? I'm looking at the Epson Expression 11000XL - we used to have one in the studio I worked in a number of years ago and I really fancied it - but it's obviously a rather large purchase, so I'd love anyone's possible insights before taking the plunge.
> 
> Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!
> 
> Cheers,
> -Natalya
> 
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