jps246's Full Review: Microtek ScanMaker 4800 Flatbed Scanner
I have been slowly switching over to digital photography over the last several years and about a year ago, I figured it was high time that I got myself a decent scanner for the many film prints that I have. I also wanted the ability to scan the few slides and transparencies that I had.
So I shopped around for a while and settled on Microtek’s Scanmaker 4800. At the time I purchased it, I paid $89 for it. While I was willing to spend some money, I did not want to spend a lot on a scanner if I was not going to end up using it all that often (I was thinking that this would be a test – if I started doing a lot of work scanning – then I would step up later to a better model).
The 4800 is about the same size as most other flatbed scanners and is quite light. It will take up a good portion of your desk space (measuring in at about 12 x 17), or like me, you could use the top of the file cabinet next to your desk. The maximum resolution for the 4800 is 2400x1200 dpi and it works with both MAC and PC systems. The flatbed scanner area is more than adequate for 8 x 10 scans and 8 ½ x 11 paper. The 4800 connects to your computer through a USB connection. The 4800 also comes with a transparency adapter that allows you to scan color and negative 35mm transparencies.
At the time I installed the 4800, I had Windows ME installed on my computer. The installation was straightforward and Windows recognized the scanner quickly and easily. The entire software and driver setup probably took about 10 minutes. I am not sure how easy the installation would be in newer Windows versions.
The 4800 comes with a software suite to manage scanning, however, once installed, you scan directly into any photo manipulation software (such as Photoshop). The installation of the suite is painless and easy. I have rarely if ever used it though, sticking mainly to scanning within Photoshop for easy image manipulation afterwards.
Scanning at all but the very highest resolutions is generally quick and of a high quality. Color tones and levels may be off a bit at times depending on the quality of the print you are scanning in. A quick adjustment of levels and brightness often fixes this in Photoshop. If that doesn’t work, up the resolution of the scan and then try adjusting the levels, it should provide better quality for you.
Now before I get to the transparency unit…let me explain why I can’t say much about it…
About 2 months or so after purchasing the 4800, the friend that my partner and I were living with moved out and therefore even though we didn’t move, most of our stuff was packed up or otherwise adjusted during the whole process. Well the “computer area” was also moved and somehow in the process, the power adapter and cord for the 4800 was lost. And I don’t mean lost in the sense of it fell behind the bookcase, I mean lost in that I tore the entire house apart looking for it and it was gone.
So I figured, “no big deal,” and I went to several different electronics vendors online to see if they sold the adapter and cord separate from the scanner. No such luck. Then I went to the Microtek website and looked for the information. Again, I couldn’t find anything. I sent an email to Microtek – it was never answered.
Since none of the typical channels were working – I decided to try Radio Shack, since they seem to have every little adapter and gadget that could ever been needed by anyone. Well I took the info from the scanner in (the amperage and voltage I needed) and I was met by blank stares. They went through their entire inventory of adapters and couldn’t find any with the correct values. So I left Radio Shack, still adapterless.
Now, 3 months later, I have a very large $89 paperweight sitting on my file cabinet. I have been unable to find and obtain an adapter for the scanner.
At this point, I have given up on trying to find a new cord. I have started to look at new scanners.
There’s two morals to the story here: 1) always keep track of your power adapters and cords; and 2) if you lose a Microtek power adapter, you’re screwed.
While losing the cord was no fault of Microtek’s, you would have thought that a replacement would have been fairly easy to obtain. However, like I said, no vendors sell the adapter, their website has no information, they were unresponsive to my email and even Radio Shack, the high church of electronics couldn’t find an adapter for the 4800.
So if you do pick up a Microtek 4800, you will get a great scanner and will be pleased by the quality of the scans and the ease of setup and use. However, make darn sure that you don’t lose the power cord, because you’re up the creek without a paddle.
PS – if anyone does know where I could get an adapter – please let me know…I’d be curious to know…
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