I have been very pleased with the Polaroid SprintScan 4000 which I purchased
about one year ago. It also fit my budget, though many recommended the Nikon
Coolscan 4000 as the best at that time. With the Polaroid you can scan
mounted slides or unmounted film at up to 4000dpi. I use Quicksilver
software most often for scanning, but the Polaroid scan tool also does well.
I purchased the SprintScan and all necessary software as a package deal from
B&H PhotoVideo in New York City ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com) last August
for around $800. I have always had excellent service from them and their
prices are usually the best. A current quick scan of their web site shows a
Polaroid Sprint Scan 4000 Plus for about $1,200...must be an updated model.

I am not able to locate my research folder (hard copy) of data I collected
before making the purchase, but here are some sources. An excellent article
on use of the Polaroid SprintScan 4000 appeared in an issue of Nature
Photographer magazine during 2001 ( I believe it was the Summer issue, but I
haven't been able to locate that either...a side effect of moving!). The
Spring 2002 issue of Nature Photographer magazine has a short article
comparing Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 and 8000. Check out George Lepp's web
sites (http://www.leppinstitute.com). They recommended the Nikon and I know
they did have an article about scanners in their newsletter about a year or
so ago, though I haven't seen the article myself.

Since you already have Adobe Photoshop you have a big chunk of the expense
behind you!

Regards,

Judy Rowe Taylor
Mukilteo, WA
caratfeathers at aol.com