Scanner

[Adrian Twiss]

Now that the darkroom is progressing nicely I am thinking about buying a flatbed scanner. I want a scanner so I can a) Scan images for including into my darkroom database and b) to post images to APUG galleries to give you all a laugh.

Who knows when I improve from abysmal to poor I may even dabble with a web site.

Trouble is I know absolutely nothing about scanners, despite being quite computer literate.

I would welcome any recommendations for scanners that would suite the purpose. I have no interest in scanning negatives for printing either in mono or colour.

Thank you

 

[Juraj Kovacik]

I think generally there wouldn't be a problem. If you have XP or Mac and you buy "classic" scanner brand like HP or Canon, you would be satisfied with the least expensive typs. For example for web or computer use and scanning of pictures 200 dpi resolution is enough, the cheapest scanners can work today at 1200. I think reasonable price level for brand scanner is between 50-100 USD.

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

My suggestion would be to avoid the all in one machines...

You know, printer, fax, scanner, copier, coffee machine, etc...

Get a dedicated machine that does as much as you can afford, and you're likely to be happy with it for quite some time. I would also agree with sticking to the big names...

joe

 

[bobfowler]

I'd look on ebay for a used Epson 2450 - it'll do film up to 4X5 as well as scans from hard copy. Since you're looking for something so you can post images, this option would let you scan slides as well as prints or negatives. There are a lot of them out there now that they are 2 generations old...

 

[Foto Ludens]

Or you could do what I intend on doing as soon as I can:

Build a copy-stand type thing and use a digital camera to photograph the prints. The sole advantage of doing something like this lies in the fact that scanners are limited to 8.5"by11", and this copystand set up would allow me to digitize my 9x9 and up prints.

Of course, the quality of the camera lens plays into it a bit, and so does cost, but if you already own such a digi-gizmo, it could be worth a try.

 

[rogueish]

If you have a Mac and get an Epson scanner, beware of the program called "HotShots" that comes with it. It is the main reason I have very few posts in the gallery.
It tends to save each scan as a "hotshots.doc" even though I repeatedly tell it to save as ".jpg". Most annoying

 

[Tom Kershaw]

If you have a Mac and get an Epson scanner, beware of the program called "HotShots" that comes with it. It is the main reason I have very few posts in the gallery.
It tends to save each scan as a "hotshots.doc" even though I repeatedly tell it to save as ".jpg". Most annoying

Have you tried Viewscan?

www.hamrick.com

HTH

 

[Adrian Twiss]

My suggestion would be to avoid the all in one machines...

You know, printer, fax, scanner, copier, coffee machine, etc...

Get a dedicated machine that does as much as you can afford, and you're likely to be happy with it for quite some time. I would also agree with sticking to the big names...

joe

Firstly thanks to all who responded. You have given me a very useful starting point. Joe, I couldn't agree more. These all singing all dancing machines usually only do everything averagely.

 

[Graeme Hird]

Rogueish,

Take Tom's advice - Vuescan lets you use any scanner without all those annoying "features" the manufacturers think you want. When I bought it, it was the best $50 I'd ever spent (it's now $80, but it would still be the most wisely spent $80 you'll ever have ....)

A good analogy would be like turning a fully automatic P&S camera into a manual SLR with auto mode. Vuescan lets you take control of the scanner.

Cheers,

 

[Deniz]

I was extremely happy with vuescan too.
then i sold my scanner to get an 8x10 camera..
I think i did good