Digital Shopping List

To help with the search for digital equipment, Walsworth offers the following list of suggested products. The following digital cameras, flatbed scanners and film scanners are currently the most popular and most affordable in their respective classes.

Digital Camera list includes the following info: Model, Resolution, Image format, Lens, Memory, Interface, Image Size at 225 ppi, and Estimated price, in that order.

Digital Camera Recommendations
Olympus D-510

• 2.1 Megapixel
• 1,600 X 1,200
• TIFF & JPEG
• 3X optical zoom
• Smart Media
• USB
• 7.1″ X 5.3″
• $399.00

Kodak DX 3900

• 3.1 Megapixel
• 2,160 X 1,440
• TIFF & JPEG
• 2X optical zoom & 3X digital 6X zoom
• CompactFlash
• USB
• 11″ X 14″
• $399.00

Olympus C 3040

• 3.34 Megapixel
• 2,048 X 1,536
• TIFF & JPEG
• 3X optical zoom
• Smart Media
• USB
• 9.1″ X 6.8″
• $699.00

Nikon CoolPix 995

• 3.34 Megapixel
• 2,048 X 1,536
• TIFF & JPEG
• 4X optical zoom
• CompactFlash
• USB
• 9″ X 7″
• $889.00

Flatbed Scanner Recommendations
Please note, before buying a scanner, know if the computer’s interface is SCSI, USB, or FireWire.

Epson Perfection 1640SU

• 42-bit
• 3.2
• 8.5″ X 11.7″
• USB, SCSI
• 1600 X 3200
• $249.00

Umax PowerLook III

• 42-bit
• 3.4
• 8.5″ X 11.7″
• SCSI-II
• 1200 X 2400
• $549.00

Microtek ScanMaker 4

• 36-bit
• 3.0
• 8.5″ X 11.7″
• SCSI
• 600 X 1200
• $625.00

Epson Expression 1680

• 48-bit
• 3.6
• 8.5″ X 11.7″
• USB, SCSI, FireWire
• 1600 X 3200
• $1,399.00

Epson Expression 1640XL

• 42-bit
• 3.6
• 12.2″ X 17.2″
• USB, SCSI-II, FireWire
• 1600 X 3200
• $2,699.00

Prices for scanners may vary according to the software included by the manufacturer.

For the Professional
The models listed below are more expensive and are usually suggested for digital photography professionals requiring outstanding quality.

Olympus E-10 SLR

• 4.0 Megapixel
• 2,240 X 1,680
• TIFF & JPEG
• 9-36mm f2.0-2.4
• Smart Media
• USB
• 10″ X 7.5″
• $1,999.00

Olympus C 4040

• 4.1 Megapixel
• 3,200 X 2,400
• TIFF & JPEG
• 35-105mm
• Smart Media
• USB
  10.1″ X 7.6″
• $999.00

Nikon D1x

• 5.47 Megapixel
• 3,008 X 1,960
• TIFF & JPEG
• Compact Flash
• Firewire and Serial
• 13″ X 9″
• $5,349.99

Film Scanner Recommendations
CanoScan FS4000US

• Resolution: 4000 dpi
• Dynamic Range: 3.4
• Color depth: 42-bit
• Image size @ 225 dpi: 18″x22″
• Interface: USB and SCSI
• Retail: $1,099

Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 ED

• Resolution: 4000 dpi
• Dynamic Range: 4.2
• Color depth: 48-bit
• Image size @ 225 dpi: 18″x22″
• Interface: Firewire (comes with card)
• Retail: $1,695

Nikon Coolscan IV ED

• Resolution: 2900 dpi
• Dynamic Range: 3.6
• Color depth: 42-bit
• Image size @ 225 dpi: 12″x16″
• Interface: USB
• Retail: $895

Kodak Professional RFS 3600

• Resolution: 3600 dpi
• Dynamic Range: 3.6
• Color depth: 36-bit
• Image size @ 225 dpi: 16″x20″
• Interface: USB
• Retail: $1,299

Microtek ArtixScan 4000t

• Resolution: 4000 dpi
• Dynamic Range: 3.4
• Color depth: 42-bit
• Image size @ 225 dpi: 18″x22″
• Interface: SCSI
• Retail: $1,795

Pacific Image Electronics Prime Film 1800i

• Resolution: 1800 dpi
• Dynamic Range: n/a
• Color depth: 36-bit
• Image size @ 225 dpi: 8″x10″
• Interface: USB
• Retail: $199

Definition of Specifications
CCD (charge-coupled device)
Instead of film, digital cameras use a solid-state device called an image sensor, or CCD. The CCD sensors register the various light intensities. A two megapixel (or more) CCD chip is needed.

Resolution
CCDs record a fixed number of image details, normally quoted in pixels. We recommend a resolution range of at least 1600 x 1200 to produce a 5″x7″ image size. The larger the number range, the larger width and height will be achieved for yearbook production.
Formula
1600 ppi 225 = 7″
1200 ppi 225 = 5″

Storage
How a camera stores digital photos is important. We recommend a camera that uses a compact flash card or a SmartMedia card for storage. Each of these storage medias comes with its own disk drive, or reader, upon purchase. Digital cameras that use a floppy disk for storage limit the number of pictures that will be saved. When the camera is set to its highest resolution, only one or two photos can be stored.

Color Depth
Refers to color, which is measured in bits. Color Depth controls smoothness, and is required for rich skin tones.

Dynamic Range
All images have a certain tonal range between the highlights and shadows. This is measured by Dynamic Range. A scanner should register and convert the tonal range as well as the fineness of the individual gradations. This determines how well the scanner can reproduce detail in dark areas. A minimum Dynamic Range of 2.5 is required.

Resolution
Scanner resolution is expressed as the maximum number of picture elements (pixels) per unit of length which the scanner is capable of registering. The resolution of a scanner determines the rendering of detail. The higher there resolution the more the image can be enlarged.