Scanner Recommendations

[cats4jan]

For the second time in a couple of months, I had to take a digital photo of a photo to get a project done. This is ridiculous. I gave my scanner to my brother with the idea of buying a better one. Years have passed.

What's on the market today? and what specs should I be looking for?

Price isn't as much of an issue as quality because I do alot of cropping.

And I don't need a scanner that holds my hand - I think I can figure out just about any software. And if I can't, I know just the place I can turn to for advice. ;)

My printer is an Epson, but I'm guessing that has nothing to do with this.

Only thing I would stay away from is HP - I'm not a big fan.

[ljameso1]

I suggest 1st getting a list of compatible scanners from your computer's website. Then looking to see what bell's and whistles you like. I have an Epson myself.

[rick-l]

Are you planning on primarily scanning photos, or do you also want to scan film too? If mostly the latter, any of the midrange Epson scanners will do a great job. (My daughter has the 4490, which she loves.)

Film is a bit more problematic, especially if you're scanning 35mm. The scanning element in most cheap scanners can't really resolve 35mm film sharply enough that will give you a workable print. For many folks, I've just suggested they buy a cheap ($150) flatbed and the most inexpensive Nikon Coolscan 35mm scanner. You get better results from that combo than trying to go a bit cheaper and use a scanner that purportedly scans film.

That said, I have the Epson V-750M Pro scanner, which is about $800 new, and use it to scan 35mm transparencies. It has a secondary lens for scanning film that is pretty good for most work. For people looking to store their film-based memories and view them on-screen or up to 8x10, it works.

Hope this helps.

Rick

[cats4jan]

I won't be doing heavy duty scanning - I won't be scanning every photo that is around here.

I don't have any negatives and I have only one small box of slides - but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have the opportunity to scan negatives/slides from others - so the ability to do slides/negatives is something I would be interested in - but it won't be my primary use.

It's just that I don't understand the specs. Which of the specs is the most important to get a machine that does quality scans?

And, it's important that it be a flat bed scanner, so I can scan book pages

[Inspeqtor]

I own the Epson 4990 and I love it! It is similar to the 4490 except it will scan larger film than the 4490. The 4490 does 35mm slides and negatives plus medium format film. The 4990 will scan up to 8x10 film. I have some old glass negatives so that was important to me. After I bought mine from Amazon, I learned from Rusty he also owns the 4990, but he got his from the Epson Clearance Store and saved a bunch of $$. His is refurbished, but said he did not find one scratch or nick on it anywhere. In the Clearance Store, they do not always have every model. You may have to wait awhile and keep looking back.

[Boater]

Hi Janice,
in your quest for a scanner have a look at the Canon
range i get good results from the Canoscan 8800f it
sells here in the U.K. for just over £100, and will do a whole
range of tasks

[cats4jan]

Thanks for your recommendations. I need to just go and buy something - I've dragged my feet and inconvenienced myself long enough.

[Ric Cisson]

Janice, it sounds like the Epson V-500 would fit your needs.

[Inspeqtor]

Janice,

Do let us know what you get :)

[rick-l]

It's just that I don't understand the specs. Which of the specs is the most important to get a machine that does quality scans

The maximum optical resolution and the Dmax are probably the most important. The optical res is the actual amount of data the scanner can capture - the higher the better. Most scanners have a maximum resolution of twice the optical res, but that's interpolated data, much like upsampling an image in Elements or Photoshop - you're creating something out of nothing.

The Dmax is the maximum black a scanner can capture - again, the higher the better, but if you're not scanning film, almost any scanner in this price range should do well. (If you've got a lot of dark photos with plenty of shadow detail, go for a scanner with a Dmax around 3.4.)

The software is generally identical. For the type of stuff you're doing, something like the Epson 4490 or the V500 is probably more than enough for you. With a good photo, you'll get great scans from either. You might even be able to go a bit lower - the Epson Perfection 350, which has a better lid for scanning bulky items (like books), and lesser film scanning capabilities than it's pricier cousins.

Rick

[JohnnyN]

I just bought the Epson 4490 from Buydig.com. They had a deal for a new machine priced at $156.00 with a $30.00 dollar rebate from Epson. No tax and free shipping. So far, I've scanned about 100 slides wth no problem. Like you I researched everywhere trying to find the best scanner I could afford. Probably all in this price range will do similar quality work. A senior teacher at the junior college who teaches scanning told me Epson was a good brand.

[cats4jan]

Thanks Rick and Johnny

I guess I was led astray by the nominal price for these scanners - I was expecting to pay more than $400 for a scanner and here I can get any one of those recommended models for way less than $300.

I went to Epson to set the price point for comparison - and even Epson has some decent prices

The Perfection 200 (which seems to be inferior to the the 350 in only two issues - lid and auto negative scanning) - is available for $70 plus $10 s/h

The Perfection 350 is $110 with $10 s/h

And the 4490 is only $149 with free s/h

And the V500 is $249 with free s/h

Time to just buy one of the dumb things. :o

Reminds me of the time I spent a half hour trying to decide which $100 microwaves to buy and DH said - just buy one of the da** things - it's only $100 for Pete's Sake.

Well, my "due diligence" paid off - that microwave is now almost 14 years old and never gave me a bit of grief. :)

I'm going to do it - I'm going to buy a scanner this weekend. Enough already. I'm not even going to look at another brand. I'm perfectly happy with my experience with Epson products. Why muddy the waters.

Again - thanks for everyone's help