Dusseldorf-based Microtek Electronics Europe GmbH has launched a 32-bit desktop flatbed colour scanner for Macintosh and Windows personal computers – the ScanMaker III. It connects to Macs via a Small Computer Systems Interface port; and to iAPX-86 boxes using a bus protocol based on SCSI. Physical resolution is 600 by 1,200 dots per inch although this can be increased with appropriate software. The scanner technology it uses is charge-coupled devices which enables single pass scanning of colour images. One of the features Microtek is keen to boast about is Dynamic Colour Rendition, a colour calibration and correction system available on Microtek’s film scanner, the 45t, which calibrates to IT8.7, a standard recognised by most of the major photographic companies. Microtek says Dynamic Colour Rendition ensures better colour scans with less time spent on colour correcting. Adobe Photoshop 2.5 is bundled free with the scanner. Microtek offers also a 50 page Automatic Document Feeder and a Trans[arency Media Adaptor for scanning 35mm transparencies. ScanMaker III is available now and sells for ?3,000.
