Scanner recommendations?

[kimh]

Does anyone recommend a particular scanner? I do not want one of the 'all in one' copier/scanner, etc.
My goal is to do photo restoration, log all of my old pictures. Want something of quality but don't know if I need to spend a lot. Have seen some in low $100.00 range. Should I look for anything in particular?
Thanks

[mom to 4]

Any particular reason you don't want an all in one? I got a really good deal on an all in one...abut $150 for printer, copier, scanner doesn't have a fax, kinda wish it did. It's an HP and works well. I probably scan as much as print and copy........

[Carbone]

Avoid Canon Lide series. They're good for general stuff, but they're not fantastic for pictures. I have a LiDE 35 and when I have something serious to scan, I go to my friend's house and use her Canon 8400F, much better (perfect would probably fit!)

Ray

[Daviskw]

Hi Kim

Not sure what you want to pay, but if you were serious about restoration on an intermediate scale then a scanner like an Epson Perfection 4990 Photo would be the way to go. However you will be lucky to find one on the net under $400 but I believe they are worth the added expense.

If you want to work on a professional scale then it may pay to send them to a service to be scanned with a drum scanner.

If you don’t need that much quality then almost any of the well-known brands will do just fine and a lot cheaper.

Butch

[margtvl]

I am going to jump in on this thread. I am looking for a scanner in the $250 range. Mostly for scanning in negative strips.. Any suggestions.

[John L Gray]

Kim,
For the first step in photo restoration I have found the Epson 4990 excellent choice to get my photos in the computer. I went to the local photo store and tried several different scanners with mix results in output quality. The "4990" cost is about $400, but well worth it in the scan from my old photos.
If you decide on a 4990, check out the Epson USA online store for their recondition scanners. These scanners come with one warrenty. A bonus with the 4990 is being able to scan 35mm slides.

If you don't want to spend that much check out the Epson 4490. This is an older model and does a good job.

John

[TonyW]

I have an Epson 3170 and have been very pleased with it. They don't make them any more although you can sometimes pick them up. I'm not sure what superceded it but I did notice that you could get a refurbished 4180 from Epson for $99 and free shipping. That sounds like a good deal to me :) . And it will handle 35mm negs, slides and medium format scans.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=53728579

Tony

[IleenC]

I assume I am not where I should be, I have never posted in the forums before. I do have an epson perfection 4870, and for some reason I can not import, through elements 4.0, photoshop 7 no problem. But the import in elements is greyed out. Where the heck is the plugin, of course it says it is missing, ho-hum

[Wendy]

Hi Ileen ..

... and welcome to the forum :)

I'm useless on setting up scanners but hopefully one of the others will be able to help with your problem ...

Wendy

[Ric Cisson]

Microtec i800 is a great scanner for the dollars you invest. Provides a true flat scan of 35mm slides and comparison with some of the dedicated film scanners out there, very good results. I second the Epson 4990, and if you have a few bucks more the Epson V700 and V750 are great as well. The latest one announced by Epson, the V100, bears watching. This scanner is said to scan 3D pieces up to 25mm thick. This could be just what the the doctor ordered for small pieces of jewelry. Worth watching future user reports.

[Inspeqtor]

I am going to jump in on this thread. I am looking for a scanner in the $250 range. Mostly for scanning in negative strips.. Any suggestions.

Margtvl,

If you want really good quality scans of your negative strips (I am assuming 35mm) then you want the DiMage Scan Dual IV made by Konica Minolta. I have one and love it. The bad thing is, Konica Minolta no longer makes these, or anything in the camera market. You can find one on ebay. You will get the highest quality from one of these for a fair price. I tried a flatbed scanner with filmstrip adapter but the quality was very poor in my estimation.

[sharlmitch]

I too am into photo restoration and have bought 3 other scanners in the past, in the $100.00 price range. About a year ago I decided to spend the extra money $400.00 and buy a really good one, if your serious about scanning it is well worth the extra $$. I bought the CanoScan 9950F and I have to say it is the best for a home scanner. I have scanned old photos, negitives and slides and they all come out beautifully. And it's very easy!
I love it!!!!! :)

If you go to the home page on this website then scroll down to product reviews to:
CanoScan 9950F
Canon’s new CanoScan 9950F is a feature-rich, 48-bit prosumer product with a lot to offer if you need a combination of image, film, and text scanning along ... [more]

Sharon

[Robyn]

Avoid Canon Lide series. They're good for general stuff, but they're not fantastic for pictures. I have a LiDE 35 and when I have something serious to scan, I go to my friend's house and use her Canon 8400F, much better (perfect would probably fit!)

Ray

I have a Lide 500F. But it's the only scanner I've ever owned (and I hardly ever use it) so I guess ignorance is bliss! :D

[kimh]

A scanner is still on my "wish" list so I appreciate the input.
Thanks,
Kimh