Microtek ScanMaker 8700 Silver

We tested the Silver configuration of the ScanMaker 8700, which includes a copy of LaserSoft's SilverFast Ai 5.2 scanner interface, transmissive and reflective IT8 targets and full calibration data on CD. This is in addition to Microtek's ScanWizard, Adobe Photoshop 5 LE and ABBYY FineReader OCR software. You can save £100 on the full price by opting for the standard package, which simply leaves out SilverFast and the calibration targets.

SilverFast is supplied as a Photoshop plug-in and TWAIN driver, and provides an exceptional range of enhancement tools based on high-quality prescans. Features such as the unsharp mask and descreen preview sampler (which provides accurate previews in seconds) and the comprehensive negative decaste options are worth the money alone. Beginners can start off with the Wizard-like ScanPilot button bar before moving on to the main interface, while at the other extreme experts can go to the extent of entering all colour enhancement settings numerically if they want.

In use, the ScanMaker 8700 is a great performer. It's fast and quiet in operation, and the results are very good. Transparency scans are especially bright and clear, even more so than other professional scanners in the same price range. Our Lab tests using special scan targets revealed excellent quality optics. Anyone prepared to budget up to four figures on an uncompromising and versatile professional-class flatbed scanner need look no further.

Author: Alistair Dabbs