Scan PrO 3500$ max - need your professionnal opinion

[SkyFly]

Hello

I m looking to buy a new scanner
I m photographer
I use 6*7 / 4*5 / and 24*36
I use negatives and positives color and B/W
I want use it for professional print A4 A3 and maybe A2 max

My choice for the medium format is between :

Minolta Scan Multi pro 4800 dpi 16 bits - Ice 3 - 2300$(Adorama) 2900 ?
Vs
New Nikon Supercoolscan 9000 ED - Ice 4 - 4000 dpi 16 bits 3300 ?
Vs
Nikon Supercoolscan 8000 ED - Ice 3 -4000 dpi 14 bitsmaybe sell at good price soon

I use a powermac under Panther and i heard that the driver for the Nikon 8000 doesnt work well with a Mac compare a pc(maybe with the really good Silverfast its better)

Somebody could help me in that choice or maybe is it better to continue to pay each scan 30 ? or more in a professionnal lab or self service Imacon Flextight 646 or 848 for 80?/heure? (100 scan in lab pay a Nikon)

I have an Epson perfection 1640 since 3 years wich is working just ok for 4*5(under its so poor)
I saw also the microtek 1800f for my 4*5 is it really better or not interresting to buy?

Thanks to answer

[LSI_Rossee]

Dear Skyfly.

Both Nikons produce very high quality and well comparable to the Imacons. I have not tested the CS9000 but like the 8000 myself. One big disadvantage would be speed, because the 8000 can be a very timewasting machine sometimes. The LSI testing department is quite fond of the minoltas too.
Please remember though that even the best scanner in the world does not guarantee for a good scan. The person operating the scanner is in charge of the scanning quality. In most cases the scan service providers have very experienced operators but they will make you pay if you need the same scan again if you need a higher resolution or different colorspace.


Kind regards.