Does anyone have a good scanner recommendation

[Lefta Dissenter]

This is for a 75th birthday present for my dad.

Priority one: be able to scan slides - he has tons of slides that he and his father took, and many are deteriorating.

Priority two: more general purpose scanning of photos, books.

Priority three: relatively straightforward to use.

Would that be one scanner that can perform both functions well, or two separate scanners?

Thanks for any and all advice!

[quisp]

1. Scanner Recommendation

I recommend the Epson Perfection 1670 PHOTO. Built in slide and film strip scanner. Easy to use (I got one for MY Dad and he loves it!) and cheap enough.

[Deja Q]

3. Welcome to DU!

:bounce: :party:

For printers and now scanners, Epson makes the best.

[Deja Q]

2. While a specialized negative/slide scanner is the best...

The Epson Perfection series flatbed scanner will take nice pics of negatives (3200x6400 DPI) that can be enlarged to ~11x14" size, probably larger... Look for the $200 model now in stores, though they had a $400 model that's tempting, but as it uses the same 3200x6400, I'll get the $200 model.

AVOID HP!!! I've had 2 HP scanners over the last year. Both have acted up after a few months. That extended warrnaty plan's paying off for both of them. Such warranties are dumb for some items, but for scanners and printers, it's a good thing to buy - especially if the cost is low. The money I get back is going to that Epson model...

On edit: The $200 model I believe is called the Perfection 3170... (The 1670 model is 2400 DPI I believe...)

[reprehensor]

4. Definitely avoid HP like the plague.

I'm using a Visioneer. Very inexpensive, easy to use, scans slides. The software that it comes with is pretty good.

This is not a high-end scanner, but very reliable, great for enthusiast or computing beginner.

Combine it with Photoshop Elements and you are rocking like a hurricane!

[Lefta Dissenter]

5. Wow, I'm surprised that HP is crap

Thanks to both of you for that info - I probably would have seriously looked at HP because I've liked their printers.

I didn't realize that you can scan slides on a regular flat-bed. Or am I misunderstanding? I have an el-cheapo Visioneer, but no slides here to play with.

If that's the case (that a flat-bed would work), then I'd definitely like that route, so he could use it for other things. I guess I need to go back to Google and do more research. I'd want to get the nicest one I could do, spending anything up to maybe $600. Any additional specifics would be appreciated!

Thanks for the input! :)

[TXlib]

6. Definitely avoid this one:

[Lefta Dissenter]

7. WOW,

That looks more like a Freeper Scanner than an HP Scanner!

[jimbo fett]

8. I'm a graphic designer and I've used nearly every brand over the years.

I like UMAX and Epson the best.

[bif]

9. Shop cnet.com

I've had real good luck and have saved a bunch of money in the past. Although, scanners are pretty cheap these days at places like Best Buy and Staples. So I don't know how much you'll save. But it's worth a shot--they shop a ton of stores and give you the best prices.

I use an inexpenseve Epson and have good luck with it.

[jmowreader]

10. How big are the slides?

If they're all 35mm his task is going to be much cheaper than if there are medium format slides in there. (If he has 4x5 slides--yes, they do exist--p-mail me at [e-mail] for some recommmended drum scanners.)

This is a job for two scanners.

For the general-purpose stuff, the Epson Expression 2400 is a great scanner. It's probably been superseded, though.

For slides, get a Nikon slide scanner. If it's all 35mm, take the 1394 (FireWire) scanner and an automatic feeder. Throw 20 slides in the input tray and go away for a while.

There is a medium-format Nikon too, but it's about $2500. Worth it, though.

[Lefta Dissenter]

11. THANKS!

yes, they're all 35 mm (at least as far as I know - I'll have to sneak over and confirm that).

I had been reading about the Epson 3200, which has gotten some good reviews, and someone posted some comparison pictures to show how favorably it compared to another Epson.

I'll look into the Nikon, as well. Is that one of the KoolScan ones, or would that be the med format? I can't afford $2500 no matter HOW cool it is, but I can hit up other family members to see if they want to help out, if this gets out of hand! :)

Thanks again!