Qualities to look for in a Scanner?

thebassmanthebassman Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
edited June 12, 2004 in Digital Darkroom
When shopping for a scanner, what specs should I be looking at when picking one out? What are some good scanners? What are some scanners to avoid?

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  • gubbsgubbs Registered Users Posts: 3,166 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2004
    thebassman wrote:
    When shopping for a scanner, what specs should I be looking at when picking one out? What are some good scanners? What are some scanners to avoid?
    Its a year or so since, but I looked bought the Epson 3200
  • cmr164cmr164 Registered Users Posts: 1,542 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2004
    thebassman wrote:
    When shopping for a scanner, what specs should I be looking at when picking one out? What are some good scanners? What are some scanners to avoid?
    The Canoscan LIDE-80 is certainly working fine. I'd like a faster workflow for negatives and slides but that means a big jump in price.
    Charles Richmond IT & Security Consultant
    Operating System Design, Drivers, Software
    Villa Del Rio II, Talamban, Pit-os, Cebu, Ph
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited May 20, 2004
    thebassman wrote:
    When shopping for a scanner, what specs should I be looking at when picking one out? What are some good scanners? What are some scanners to avoid?
    You don't specify if you are shopping for a flat bed scanner for prints or text or a film scanner for slides or negatives. What is your price range also as there can be a large variation in price. Good flat bed scanners with decent software support will run ~$500.00 while film scanners may approach `$1000.00.

    There is a bit of a learning curve to get really good scans, but you should be able to get fair scans fairly easily with modern scanners and equipment. Brands that I favor are Epson for flat bed scanners and Canon, Nikon or Minolta for reasonably priced film scanners. Learning to use them well can pay real dividends in quality.

    www.hamrick.com has a program called VueScan which allows multiple pass scanning and can provide very nice scans, but it takes a little learning to use well, but it is inexpensive at about $40.00
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • thebassmanthebassman Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
    edited June 12, 2004
    Honestly, I'm looking for a good scanner that would do both prints and negatives/slides, if possible... I'm hoping to keep it in the <$1000 range, if possible...
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