B4Print.com

General Category => Random Technology => Topic started by: Slappy on December 16, 2013, 09:13:49 PM

Title: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Slappy on December 16, 2013, 09:13:49 PM
I've been tasked with getting a scanner for my (elderly) in-laws so they can scan as many old pics as they feel like in the comfort of their dining room. Oh joy.

I'm thinking something lightweight, with an easy interface if possible. I seriously doubt they'll do any real retouching or even color correction. If they can at least get decent hi-res scan then I can always go back & do that stuff if I feel like. I do love the Epson Perfection line, but they're pretty hefty and I think have way too many bells & whistles in the software. Not too familiar with Canons or HP, any experience or reviews?
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Joe on December 16, 2013, 09:26:14 PM
I have a Canon Pixma MP495 all-in-one printer/fax/scanner. Works OK. Pretty easy. Had an HP of the same before this. It worked OK also.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: gnubler on December 16, 2013, 10:43:26 PM
I can tell you now you're going to end up scanning old pictures for your in-laws.

Just do 11x17 batch scans on the copier at work during lunch and single them out when you get home, it's for the best.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Slappy on December 16, 2013, 11:13:41 PM
1. Not the kind of shop I can do that in, fortunately in this case.
2. My mother-in-law is actually fairly competent so if I can keep the process simple, she'll do fine.

I've narrowed it down to either the Epson Perfection V370 (http://www.amazon.com/Epson-B11B207221-Perfection-Color-Scanner/dp/B008ZDCZ8Y/ref=pd_cp_e_2) or the Canon CanoScan LiDE 700F (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R4BTI0), both about the same price point and I think will do fine for their needs right now.

I'll surely be the one setting it up & doing Training but at least I'll be able to see how well it does.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: gnubler on December 16, 2013, 11:46:58 PM
I do wish you luck (forealz). Let us know what happens.

Too many times I'm the one who ends up doing scanning, cropping, and color corx so if you don't the beers are on me!
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: frailer on December 17, 2013, 12:09:22 AM
Epson V330 Photo here. Love it.. Scan interface not too bad. They can go default/dumb, if they want. Not pricey... or, as a waiter in Kalispell, Montana once said when we ordered a halfway decent red... "Ooh, that's a bit spendy". But I digress.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: SpicyVindaloo on December 17, 2013, 11:01:40 AM
It might be better for your sanity to send them off to a scanning service. I've seen groupon deals for scanning 1000 photos for $30.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: DCurry on December 17, 2013, 12:17:27 PM
I think it's awesome that they are willing to give it a go on their own. I love it when I see older people embracing computers!
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Farabomb on December 17, 2013, 01:07:58 PM
I'm proud of them too. My mother uses her computer only under duress and refuses to learn how to use it. Because of that I now refuse to help her at all as it's a waste of our time.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: DigiCorn on December 17, 2013, 01:15:33 PM
Quote from: Farabomb on December 17, 2013, 01:07:58 PMI'm proud of them too. My mother uses her computer only under duress and refuses to learn how to use it. Because of that I now refuse to help her at all as it's a waste of our time.
That sounds familiar. I got my Mom a nook last year, so she could take it in to B&N anytime for classes and assistance. She has yet to put one book on it, but she does use it for email because she doesn't like to turn her computer on.

I got her a webcam so she can Skype and see her granddaughter, thus reducing her "need" to travel to "feel included" and "be in her granddaughter's life." She has never called me on Skype, despite me keeping a connection open on phone or Nexus 24/7. It's usually I call her, and then say, "go turn on your computer and I'll Skype you," and then hang up. It's usually followed by a return phone call, "do I have to do anything?" No. You never have to do anything. It launches automatically when you boot up. Just answer the call by clicking on the camera icon. Yet 50% of the time she clicks on the phone icon, and then complains she can't see anything.

Also, I don't help my Mom with her computer because she's a total bitch.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: born2print on December 17, 2013, 01:24:49 PM
Quote from: DCurry on December 17, 2013, 12:17:27 PMI think it's awesome that they are willing to give it a go on their own. I love it when I see older people embracing computers!
My father in law has been a CHAMP lately! He bought a radio, decided the reception wasn't so great, then noticed eye heart radio app and went that route!
Returned the radio, did it all without help!
(We helped him get started a while ago, and he really ran with it)
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: gnubler on December 17, 2013, 02:24:34 PM
Quote from: DCurry on December 17, 2013, 12:17:27 PMI love it when I see older people embracing computers!

I'm in love with a 75 year old shoemaker in Oregon, mainly because he doesn't "get" how to use a computer.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: born2print on December 17, 2013, 02:28:55 PM
Quote from: gnubler on December 17, 2013, 02:24:34 PM
Quote from: DCurry on December 17, 2013, 12:17:27 PMI love it when I see older people embracing computers!

I'm in love with a 75 year old shoemaker in Oregon, mainly because he doesn't "get" how to use a computer.
:tapedshut:
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: frailer on December 17, 2013, 03:39:18 PM
Quote from: DCurry on December 17, 2013, 12:17:27 PMI think it's awesome that they are willing to give it a go on their own. I love it when I see older people embracing computers!

We always appreciate such appreciation.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: DCurry on December 17, 2013, 05:29:20 PM
Quote from: gnubler on December 17, 2013, 02:24:34 PMI'm in love with a 75 year old shoemaker in Oregon, mainly because he doesn't "get" how to use a computer.

He sounds like a peach of a cobbler.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: born2print on December 17, 2013, 05:33:13 PM
Quote from: DCurry on December 17, 2013, 05:29:20 PM
Quote from: gnubler on December 17, 2013, 02:24:34 PMI'm in love with a 75 year old shoemaker in Oregon, mainly because he doesn't "get" how to use a computer.

He sounds like a peach of a cobbler.
:laugh: Damn you're good.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: gnubler on December 17, 2013, 09:55:47 PM
I actually typed cobbler first, then retyped shoemaker because I figured too many jokes would fly with cobbler. :yawn:
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: DCurry on December 18, 2013, 06:33:00 AM
So, you're saying he's the apple of your eye? It would be funny if his wife is named Betty.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Farabomb on December 18, 2013, 08:54:55 AM
Bet the dude has sole.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: gnubler on December 18, 2013, 01:27:26 PM
He has lots of them. Check out my future husband.

(http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/444/658/444658664_640.jpg)
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: born2print on December 18, 2013, 01:27:40 PM
Dang, sorry. I feel like such a heel now.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Slappy on December 18, 2013, 02:44:47 PM
You can really tell from his face that's he been working his whole life. Not just loafing around.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: born2print on December 18, 2013, 02:49:42 PM
Yep. This guy toes the line.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: gnubler on December 18, 2013, 07:41:45 PM
I told my therapist, Dr. Marten, about my new solemate. He said "Hush, Puppy. You will find new balance in your life with this old croc." And I said "Ugg, ok."
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: born2print on December 19, 2013, 11:15:57 AM
ok, I give :bow head:
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Farabomb on December 19, 2013, 12:00:27 PM
Well played Gnub, well played.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Slappy on December 19, 2013, 01:02:17 PM
I think this is still a Scanner Topic, if so I went ahead & ordered the Epson V370 last night. Wife thinks even that was overkill but meh - it's only money!
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Farabomb on December 19, 2013, 01:04:29 PM
That's what the title says.  :lmao:
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Fontaholic on December 19, 2013, 08:46:28 PM
I dunno -- every time I see the word "scanners", I think of that movie with the 'splodin' head...  :huh:

Cheers, John the Fontaholic
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: gnubler on December 19, 2013, 10:25:25 PM
I know what you mean. When I lived in Portland, Oregon there was a newspaper called "The Scanner" and every time we walked past their building we'd whisper "SCANNERS!" (as a nod to the movie). In time a bar with a patio opened up right next door and we would sit out there, envisioning what was going on inside. Every time someone walked out of the building to their car in the "secret back parking lot" I was sure they were transporting a corpse with an exploded skull. One time we saw a pile of something covered with a black tarp, you can only imagine the dialogue that occurred that day.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Stiv on December 20, 2013, 02:42:40 PM
I have a CanoScan and the interface sucks rocks. The scanner has these buttons on it that you are supposed to press for scans, POS.

Now the scanner is good and I use it through a Twain import.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: Fontaholic on December 23, 2013, 08:12:31 AM
Quote from: Stiv on December 20, 2013, 02:42:40 PMI have a CanoScan and the interface sucks rocks. The scanner has these buttons on it that you are supposed to press for scans, POS.

Now the scanner is good and I use it through a Twain import.

Are you using the scanner with a Mac, or with a PC?

Because both have ways of accessing a more detailed / controllable preview screen.

Cheers, John the Fontaholic
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: David on December 23, 2013, 08:26:38 AM
I have an older Canoscan, it works great (with the exception of the buttons on the scanner itself).
The Twain plugin for my model is too old for my new iMac with Mavericks, it only runs in 10.5, so I'll need to upgrade to a newer model when I retire the G5.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: mwc on December 23, 2013, 08:40:43 AM
Older scanners (i.e. Canon) are usually supported with this software - http://www.hamrick.com/ (http://www.hamrick.com/)
VueScan (free trial). Yea, it's $40...but it brings a lot of dinosaurs back to life.
Title: Re: Consumer Grade Scanners
Post by: hotmetal on December 23, 2013, 01:11:03 PM
Quote from: mwc on December 23, 2013, 08:40:43 AMOlder scanners (i.e. Canon) are usually supported with this software - http://www.hamrick.com/ (http://www.hamrick.com/)
VueScan (free trial). Yea, it's $40...but it brings a lot of dinosaurs back to life.

Agreed. I've been using VueScan with my Umax Mirage II for years. Speaking of dinosaurs -

http://reviews.cnet.com/scanners/umax-mirage-ii-flatbed/4507-3136_7-31097800.html (http://reviews.cnet.com/scanners/umax-mirage-ii-flatbed/4507-3136_7-31097800.html)