The 1998 Scanner Shootout-II

How we tested size="3">

W size="3">e invited the vendor to send an expert, who would scan our target visuals to get

best possible results for 133 LPI offset printing. These scans were then sent for proofing

to an offset press. The proofs along with the originals were given to our jury for

judging. The jury did not know which scanner produced which output. There were three

targets–a high-quality industrial photograph, an average postcard-sized tourist shot,

and an A4 transparency with line art.

All the scanners produced

good results, and you could get away with any for normal office work. COLOR="#ff0000" size="7">

align="right">Umax PowerLook II size="7">

This scanner produced the

most well-balanced images of the lot. It produced the overall best image-quality,

surpassing the Powerlook III by hairline. The scanner is extremely simple to use–even

if you don’t know too much about scanning, you can produce some very good results

with this unit. The price is slightly on the higher side, but it also includes a

Transparency Adapter unit, and a Wacom graphics tablet. On the bundled software front,

there isn’t much except for the Umax MagicScan driver and BinuScan Advanced color

correction software. The scanner has a maximum optical resolution and bit depth of

600x1200 and 36 respectively.

Vendor: Summit Data Product, A-18 Hauz

Khas, New Delhi

110016. Tel: 11-6517994-98



Fax: 6854711 Price: Rs. 72,000 Warranty: 1-year onsite size="7">

alt="powerlook.jpg (7557 bytes)" align="left">Umax

PowerLook III

In terms of color

reproduction, this scanner surpassed the rest. Like its younger brother, the PowerLook II,

the images were well balanced, and the scanner is easy to use. On the other hand, this was

the most expensive scanner of the lot. The PowerLook III had the highest optical

resolution and bit depth at 1200x2400 dpi and 42 respectively. The scanner is positioned

for pre-press work, and the price includes a transparency adapter. The driver,

MagicScan,

has a host of useful features like multiple and batch-scan modes. It also includes a color

calibration system called MagicMatch. There is BinuScan Photoperfect Master software for

color correction, and Adobe Photoshop full-edition if you use a PC, or LivePicture if you

use a Mac.

Vendor: Summit Data Product, A-18 Hauz

Khas, New Delhi

110016. Tel: 11-6517994-98 Fax: 6854711 Price: Rs 150,000 Warranty: 1-year onsite COLOR="#ff0000" size="7">

align="right">HP ScanJet 6250 ADF COLOR="#000000" size="5">

The 6250 produced good

color output and well-balanced images. Its extra features justify its price. It’s

absolutely hassle-free, both in terms of installation and usage. A USB-connector makes

installation a breeze. To use SCSI, you need a separate SCSI adapter.

The only difference between

this and the 6200C is that this one comes with a 25-sheet Automatic Document Feeder. It

also comes with an additional ScanJet Slide Adapter for scanning 35 mm slides. It supports

push-button scanning, and if you install the ScanJet copy utility, the scanner will also

work as a copier. The scanner has 1200 dpi resolution and 36 bit depth. It can be shared

on the network using PrecisionScan LAN software. Other software includes Adobe

PhotoDeluxe, Caere PageKeeper document management software, and FaxSav’s FaxLauncher

Pro.

Vendor: HP India, Chandiwala Estate, Maa Anandmai

Marg, Kalkaji, New Delhi 10019. Tel: 11-6826000, 6826059 Price: Rs 32,500 Warranty: 1 year

The cheapest scanner of the

lot, it starts at a price of Rs 24,000 for the Mac. Add an extra 2,300 for a SCSI card,

and it becomes ready for the PC. Though the scanner has the facility for a transparency

adapter, it is not provided, apparently because it’s not meant for high-end

professional work.

It produced some stunning

results–images of high optical density and good color quality. If you really know

your scanning, you can really produce some exceptional scans with this unit. The scanner

has a 400x800 resolution and 30 bit depth.

Vendor: ASE Asia, D/S-480, (Double Story), New

Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi 110060. Tel: 11-5782408 Fax: 5755587 Price: Rs 26,300 Warranty:

1 year

alt="agfasnapscan.jpg (8363 bytes)" align="left">Agfa

SnapScan 600 ArtLine

This  good-looking

scanner can connect to either a Mac or PC. For the PC, you need to spend an additional Rs

2,200 for a SCSI card. The installation process for this scanner is hassle free. Just plug

in the SCSI card, which gets detected automatically. Next, plug the scanner into the SCSI

card, and the scanner gets immediately recognized. Apart from the standard OCR and image

manipulation software bundled with most scanners, this one also has Kai’s Power tools

SE, Bryce 2.0 SE, Convolver Full and Soap SE.

In terms of color

reproduction and sharpness, the scanner didn’t fare as well as others. There was a

distinctive color-cast visible and the images were quite dark. The scanner has a 600x1200

resolution and bit depth of 30.

Vendor: ASE Asia, D/S-480, (Double Storey), New

Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi 110060.



Tel: 11-5782408 Fax: 5755587 Price: Rs 37,500 Warranty: 1 year