I think most will agree that either of the two more recent Nikon
Coolscans is a safe and capable choice. B&H has the 4000 for under
$500 after you get the rebate.
The camera question is totally tied in to how you use the camera and
which platform you are already committed to. If you're a Canon
person, get the most professional Canon you can afford - I think it's
the 10D, but the price on the new digital Rebel is attractive. If
you're a Nikon person you have a choice between the D100 and the D2x
or h. (I forget which letter it is.) These pro level digital
cameras all have assets and liabilities which you have to study and
compare to figure out which way to go. Then you need to go eavesdrop
on the Nikon and Canon lists to figure out which models are about to
be upgraded, so you don't pay too much.
I firmly believe that Photoshop is the standard image processing
software at present. There are others, and they all have adherents
who will declare that they're better than PS. But it's not really a
Mac vs PC question. Photoshop is the standard in the trade. Adobe
is boss. Canon and Nikon are neck and neck. Macs are holding their
own by a hair, Windows is really kludgily designed and Mr. Gates is a
low baller in the Stock and Assignment photography industry, no
matter how many apparently good things he does with his obscene
wealth.
So get on eBay and see where you can cut corners and have a
conversation with B&H about just how much money you have to save up
or borrow or beg for this holiday season.
--
Emily L. Ferguson
mailto:elf@cape.com
508-563-6822
New England landscapes, wooden boats and races, press photography
http://www.vsu.cape.com/~elf
