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General discussion

Photo, Slide and Film Scanners

Dec 23, 2010 3:43AM PST

I am looking to purchase a Photo, Slide and Film Scanner. But I don't know enough about what to look for. I would appreciate any help and advice that anyone could offer. Information such as "DPI and Bits" and what they mean in regards to my purchase.
I am looking at the HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?product_code=L1957A%23B1H&template_type=product_detail&jumpID=re_r602_dp_artgen_body_ipg_apr10_scn35mm

But I would look at others if they produce a better quality image of the scans. Thank you in advance for your help.
John

ps I am using Windows 7

Discussion is locked

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Not a bad choice.
Dec 23, 2010 3:52AM PST

HOWEVER many folk are upset about the speed of the scanners. Let's pick on ONE spec?

"Preview scan speed Up to 8.5 sec"

And to be honest while that time is OK many folk are upset over waiting.

For SLIDES the 4800 DPI is fine and bits of 24 or more is again fine.
Bob

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Photo, Slide and Film Scanners
Dec 24, 2010 2:31AM PST

So you think for the money its a good deal or do you have any other suggestions?

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It's a solution.
Dec 24, 2010 2:41AM PST

The numbers and features are fine. But I had to pick on one thing to see if you would complain. Most folk are not ready for the minute or so scanning time. It is a slide scanner with the right numbers.
Bob

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Hmmm
Dec 25, 2010 12:35AM PST

Bob,
But are there other ones I should also consider?
John

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Possible.
Dec 25, 2010 1:22AM PST

But I can't guess what country and what's available there. Let's try it this way. You supply candidates for members to comment on.
Bob

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Bob
Dec 26, 2010 2:17AM PST

I am in the USA and from what I have seen it looks like the HP gives a good bang for the buck.

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Scanners & Operating Systems
Jan 1, 2011 7:29AM PST

Scanners seem to have big problems dealing with the newer operating systems such as Vista & Windows 7. I have YET to find a scanner that runs on Windows 7. The manufacturers don't even mention Windows 7 in the info accompanying these scanners, and the sellers don't talk about Windows 7, either.

I have a need for a flatbed scanner but haven't found even ONE that can definitely run on Windows 7. Ridiculous.

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Scanners seem to have big problems dealing with the newer op
Jan 2, 2011 12:19AM PST

"Scanners seem to have big problems dealing with the newer operating systems such as Vista & Windows 7."

Sorry I found this to be the opposite. Newer scanners rarely support old OSes!
Bob

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Scanners & OS
Jan 1, 2011 7:22AM PST

The big question I see is whether there are ANY scanners that can run on Windows 7. I haven't seen any yet! So watch out.

Vista & Windows 7 have rendered lot of scanners immediately obsolete, and the manufacturers seem slow to respond, or don't pay it any attention at all.

I have a need for a decent flatbed document & photo scanner, but haven't found one yet that can run on Windows 7. Ridiculous.

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I purchased an Epson V600 Photo
Dec 25, 2010 7:45PM PST

earlier this year. It replaces a much older HP 5470 which also had a film/slide scanner. The Epson is far and away better at doing positive slides and film negatives. It will do 35mm and 2 1/4 formats as well. The software that comes with it is fairly basic but a comfortable start. I've been able to scan and do some defect and color correction is slides that were 30 to 40 years old and get decent results.

I can't speak to to the product you're looking at. I can tell you that slide and film scanning is extremely time consuming if you want the best result your device can make. You'll probably also need to spend "post production" time tuning your scans to get them to your liking. My Epson is now a bit dated. I've never used their products other than old dot matrix printers and was hesitant to buy this scanner but have not been disappointed. Good luck in your search.

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Epson vs HP
Dec 26, 2010 2:27AM PST

OK so now it looks like I have 2 contenders. The Epson V600 Photo scanner versus the HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner. Thank you Steve for the info. Now for the techies to comment. I seek their wisdom between these 2 scanners, or additional scanners to compare to.
Thank You
John

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This one is quite a leap up from your HP.
Dec 26, 2010 2:42AM PST

With the hardware resolution: 6400 x 9600 dpi I find most owners lost trying to figure out if they can handle the storage of their scans. Or asking which resolution to use.

If you thought scan time was long on the others, you'll wait a bit longer on the higher DPI.

But it should be the better of the two for quality.
Bob

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Thank you all for your input.
Jan 1, 2011 9:08AM PST

It looks like for quality the Epson will be the one. I just hope they will have the fix to run on Windows 7.
Thank You All
John

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(NT) Mine works just fine in Win 7
Jan 2, 2011 1:17AM PST
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(NT) Thank you Steven
Jan 2, 2011 3:15AM PST