Hi all again,

My mother and I are looking at getting my father a Scanner as a present. He would use it to scan approx 2000 (could be even more) photos and Slides that he has in his collection.

I need some advice on the purchase of a Flatbed scanner that will do Photo's/Slides/Negitives?

I have decided that I think that Epson seem to do the best scanners for this (am I wrong?) and looking at the following modles:

4090
4990
V700

I like the price of the 4090 but wonder if there other 2 models are worth the extra $250-$300 more?

I want a good scanner but at the same time we do not want to go over board with the purchase. I guess I am really wanting to know is if I get a $250 more scanner for the money?

cheers...

The Epson range you've seen here are very good indeed.

I have the Epson Perfection 4990 Photo - and its a smart and flawless tool.

I guess the price really depends on whether one wants to do positives, negatives and transparencies - or just positives.

The ICE software is superb at detecting and removing microscopic pieces of dust and scratches from film, as is the Restoration software, that can automatically take those faded echtachromes and breath new colour back into them.

cw

I use the Epson Photostylus rx 510 and have been very happy with the quality of scan.

HP HP HP - they scan pics better than all the rest and have great Mac software.

just an opinion mind you .........

I've had a Scanjet 4070 for a couple of years now and it does the job faultlessly.
current equivalents would be:
G3000 series
or
G4850 Photo

I've got the Epson V700 and can't fault it - the slides in particular are really good. Don't forget to consider the software as the Epson software is pretty ordinary. I initially used Silverfast ai but their product and their customer service was truly awful. In the end I bought the far cheaper Vuescan and haven't looked back.

I been thinking of getting a scanner too, have a heap of 35mm negatives I want to scan into digital versions... any recommendations? I must admit a Espon with 35mm negative attachment is probably the way to go.

It is intresting that you bring up the software. I have read about the Vuescan being good. Where would you get this?

The other thing is if you have Photoshop wouldn't this be considered the best software, or am I missing something here?

Thanks for all the replys.

Haven't tried Vuescan myself - as the SilverFast software has presented no problems as yet - but yes, I always like to draw the images directly into Photoshop, so whatever software you use, it's gotta have a Photoshop Import Plugin (IMO).

cheers,

cw

I am using Vuescan with my parents old HP 4100C scanner and it works great, just doesn't do negatives

Well we got an Epson V700 for him in the end.

I decided to get one after we got a good offer to get one from a good shop here in Brisbane for $724.00!


I have not used it with him yet but as soon as we play around with it I will leave our thoughts on it. I just hope that it lives up to it's hipe.

Good choice.
The v700 rocks.

Software can be improved, but only if you're really picky. Skip SF AI and go straight to the Studio version. It's extremely powerful.

Vuescan is US$79.95, Silverfast Studio is US$233. Vuescan is Universal, Silverfast still isn't (despite two years of promising soon come). Vuescan have intructions in English, Silverfast have a German English website that mocks comprehension. Vuescan doesn't do negatives, Silverfast ai does negatives badly. Vuescan has a comprehensive online help, Silverfast try to get you to buy a $A100 'Silverfast the Official Guide' book which is next to useless. Vuescan charges standard fees, Silverfast charge different (sliding scale) fees according to the type of scanner you own (read can afford).

You may detect a prejudice against Silverfast here.

Vuescan works.

Just one tip if you buy the Epson V700. The film carriers have a special suspension foot that keeps the film at just the right height for the special scanner lens. They are very delicate so store them carefully.

Yes I read this in 1 of the reviews (I Photo I think) and said that this was probably 1 of the only issues with the scanner.

VueScan I think I can get for $39.95 US online but I have to have a more indepth look as this might be a cut doewn version or something. I also read I think that it allows for RAW files, is this right?

Anyway we are still yet too fire it up, although we have un-packed it!