Notice: Creo is part of Kodak since 2005, so the scanners are now Kodak scanners.

Among high-end prepress scanners, which is the best 5000 dpi scanner? What about the Agfa 5000 dpi scanner (not their Agfa XY version of the Fuji C-550 Lanovia, but their own scanner)?

Selecting a good flatbed scanner is crucial for photo studios, desktop publishing, in-house graphic design, museums, copy shops, repro shops, or for company that recognizes quality. If you are a savvy buyer you will have seen some scanner claims that verge on being completely untrue. We have found that the ads for Umax and Microtek (and for Nikon as well) often include claims that might be considered misleading.

Thus FLAAR accepts only what we see with our own eyes or based on visits to facilities that use their scanners on a daily basis. We get a lot of feedback from other end users. FLAAR itself has five scanners currently. Another five scanners are elsewhere in our College of Technology at Bowling Green State University of Ohio.

FLAAR used a Leica and Hasselblad for three decades to build up our photo archive of 50,000 color images of ancient art and architectural history. So we don't want to scan them on some wimpy scanner with hyped specs. We accept only an honest scanner which can reproduce the same quality as a Leica or Hasselblad has already captured.

If we used a point and shoot camera with Sigma lens then we might as well scan with an equally ordinary scanner.

Anne Behrnes, opening up the Creo scanner. You would smile too if you realized your own new scanner could do 5000+ true optical dpi at awesome quality.

Manufacturer Comments

Creo EverSmart Jazz offer 2000 and 2540 true optical dpi. Beware of places that hype these specs with larger numbers (of interpolated pixels). Jazz is better than cheap 11x17 scanners which can handle only down their narrow sweet spot. Creo EverSmart Jazz and Jazz+ have XY stitch scanning technology so you get full resolution across the entire 12 x 17 inch flatbed. No comparable scanner is offered by Umax, or even Heidelberg (since most of their scanners in this price range just work on the narrow sweet spot). I personally prefer the Creo scanning software as well.

However Jazz is not powerful enough for 35mm color slides for archival storage. Fujifilm 2750 offers tad more horsepower and possibly at less price. But for 35mm slides you really need the Fuji C-550 Lanovia Sprint (you need over 3000 dpi for large format enlargements). Mute point now since Jazz and Jazz+ no longer exist. Creo replaced them with the vastly improved iQsmart2 and iQsmart 3. The C-550 is no longer made by Fujifilm; they replaced it with the Fuji FIneScan series. Agfa and Heidelberg don't make any scanners anymore at all.

Creo EverSmart Pro II is 3175 true optical dpi. For photo studios, stock photo archives, museums, prepress, for use instead of a costly drum scanner. We tested a Pro (predecessor of the Pro II). Now the Creo iQsmart3 and Creo EverSmart Select is available, but Fuji has also countered with newer models at even lower price. In 2004 and 2005 Creo has replaced the Pro II with the Creo iQsmart3.

Downside is Creo absolutely cannot scan 3D objects and we did not have much success with 2-dimensional objects either.

The Creo EverSmart Supreme offers 5600 true optical dpi. For prepress, where quality is the goal and price is no object. This is the best of the high end. If you buy on the basis of price, consider the Fuji FineScan 2750t. Actually Fuji makes several scanners: top quality, reasonable price, and can do 3-D objects also (something impossible with any Creo EverSmart scanner). The deciding factor, however, may be software. Creo inherits the outstanding software of, considered the best scanner software. Although Heidelberg's LinoColor scanner software has its fans, I have more experience with the software. The new oXYgen scanner software from Creo is icing on the cake.

You need a prepress quality for scanning slides and chromes for billboards, banners, large format printing, signs, and posters. Comparable scanners are available from Heidelberg and Fuji. The models from Fuji cost less.

You definitely need scanner wipes, scanner tape, and a few other accessories. You may also opt for scanner mounting oil (the Creo scanners offer an optional "oil mounting station").

On the subject of great scanners, don't give up totally on drum scanners. FLAAR will shortly be discussing the ICG drum scanner. We attended several trade shows, did tests on three drum scanners (Aztek, Howtek, and ICG). Much preferred the output of the ICG in every way. I would rather have a good flatbed with excellent software than a low cost drum scanner with software that I was not familiar with. We have used Creo and Scitex scanner software for years and are content with its usability and results.

If you are in any country, including outside the USA, and wish further information on these flatbed scanners, the e-mail is scanner@creo.com.

 

We also have the Cruse reprographic (copy stand) scanner system installed in the FLAAR facilities at Bowling Green State University of Ohio.

	Related Topics:
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• Redesign May. 2004/ Last updated June 17, 2005. Previously updated Dec. 20, 2001, updated again Feb. 20, 2002, updated Aug. 1, 2002, updated June 22, 2004.