Wide Format Scanners

[RJ Emery]

I am interested in learning more about the availability, features and functions of flatbed scanners suitable for a home office that would enable imaging of original and bound material 9x12 in size. The key factor here is a scanning width greater than 8.5 inches edge-to-edge.

The scanner would also need to work with professional OCR software and Adobe products, Acrobat in particular.

I would appreciate pointers to specific makes and models that are recommended by readers and users of this forum. Thank you.

[Howard White]

A very quick Google search confirms my guess that you will spend a minimum of $1,000 for such a beast. "Bound material" makes life even tougher, because it's often hard to get pages to lay flat enough for a good scan.

I would be idly curious to learn of other solutions.

BTW the "ABBYY Fine Reader" OCR software that comes with (at least some) Epson consumer scanners is remarkably good, even with poor originals, wierd fonts and slanted scans.

HW

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

I'd suggest checking out Fujitsu scanners (http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/computing/peripherals/scanners/) who may not come to mind for scanners (although the first scanner I ever had was one of theirs -- built like a Rolls Royce)

This website and page (http://www.flatbed-scanner-review.org/wide_format_sheet_fed_scanners/wide_format_scanner_gate.html) in particular might be helpful too.

Just found this Mikrotek 9800 (http://www.microtekusa.com/sm9800xl.html)

[RJ Emery]

Just found this Mikrotek 9800 (http://www.microtekusa.com/sm9800xl.html)
That looks good. I was hoping to keep the cost under $1,000 but could justify spending more given a 12x17 platen. Added to my wish list. Thanks.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Let us know what you end up with.

That price was on the Microtek website so it will be worth shopping around on prices.

B&H have it (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=MISM9800XL&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=251818) at a shade over $1000

[RJ Emery]

Let us know what you end up with.

That price was on the Microtek website so it will be worth shopping around on prices.

B&H have it (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=MISM9800XL&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=251818) at a shade over $1000
Hugh,

Yes, I will let you know. As the purchase date approaches, I will also do comparison shopping. It is possible models may change during the interim.

Come late Spring/early Summer, I expect to be making a lot of new hardware and software purchases, but over a period of time. I cannot put it all into service at once.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

B&H are very hard to beat on price, honesty and on service. If you are near enough visiting them is an experience I'd love to have from all I hear in the Photography Forum on Compuserve. <g> Check their website first for visiting -- they are othodox and observe the Sabbath and Jewish holidays.

I'd buy from them even if it meant a few percent more on the price.

[RJ Emery]

I'm close enough to Manhattan for a possible visit. They are apparently very close to Penn Station, making for an easy Sunday commute. However, I have to first find my way out of Fangorn Forest. I'll keep B&H in mind for all things "optical". Thanks again for the referral.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

<< I'll keep B&H in mind for all things "optical". >>

Very wide definition of Optical -- their catalogs are enormous.

[RJ Emery]

I've got quite a collection of cameras and lenses from my old days of film photography. I know that certain digital cameras, with or possibly without an adapter, can make use of those old lenses, and now I have a good source to acquire an appropriate digital camera when the time comes. A digital camera is on my wish list as well, that list growing ever longer. Also on that list is a Nikon slide scanner.

[terrie]

rj: Also on that list is a Nikon slide scanner.The newer flatbed scanners like the Epson Perfection 4990 Photo (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=49164280&category=Products) and the V700 Photo (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=63056499&category=Products) and V750-M Pro (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=63056500&category=Products) scan at such a high dpi (4490 at optical 4800 and the V700 and 750-M at optical 6400) that you might consider one of these over a dedicated slide scanner...they are certainly relatively well priced from a list of $500-$800...

Terrie

[RJ Emery]

The newer flatbed scanners like the Epson Perfection 4990 Photo (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=49164280&category=Products) and the V700 Photo (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=63056499&category=Products) and V750-M Pro (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=63056500&category=Products) scan at such a high dpi (4490 at optical 4800 and the V700 and 750-M at optical 6400) that you might consider one of these over a dedicated slide scanner...they are certainly relatively well priced from a list of $500-$800... Terrie
Thank you for your suggestions. IIRC, what attracted me to the Nikon slide scanner is its automatic operation. I can load it with a box of 35mm slides, and it scans each one unattended. However, the slide scanner is well into the future. When the time comes, I will be back soliciting comments and suggestions.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

... I know that certain digital cameras, with or possibly without an adapter, can make use of those old lenses, ... A digital camera is on my wish list as well, that list growing ever longer. Also on that list is a Nikon slide scanner.


When you are ready drop in on the Photography forum on Compuserve -- plenty of queries about slide scanning (that Nikon is liked) and on using lenses (not always practical.

[Steve Rindsberg]

This may've changed, but when I looked into the Nikon scanners about two years ago, you had to buy one of the up-market versions in order to be able to use the auto-loader (itself an up-cost option). The lower priced model couldn't auto-feed at all.

Still, even with the auto-loader, the Nikon scanner struck me as pretty reasonably priced, and generally got very good reviews.

[terrie]

rj: I can load it with a box of 35mm slides, and it scans each one unattended.ooohhhh! doesn't that sound nice! Which Nikon scanner is this???

Terrie

[RJ Emery]

ooohhhh! doesn't that sound nice! Which Nikon scanner is this???

Among other possibilities:

Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED (http://www.nikonimaging.com/global/products/scanner/scoolscan_5000_ed/pdf/ls9000_5000_50_12p.pdf)

"The 5000 ED can batch-scan up to 40 frames of an uncut roll of film (optional ROLL FILM ADAPTER SA-30), or up to 50 mounted slides (optional SLIDE FEEDER SF-210), giving you time-efficient, high quality scanning capability."

[iamback]

I have one level down, the 50 ED - that doesn't come with an autoloader option but I don't have any slides to speek of (two inherited boxes full, is all). Though the software is a bit quirky, it's an excellent scanner. And, like some people say, "built like a tank"; using metal gears where others have (less noisy, but more vulnerable) plastic.

As to auto-loading, be prepared to babysit it - not the fault of the autoloader or Nikon's specifically, but slight misalignment or differences in thickness of the frames can cause the things to get stuck. You don't want to load the thing, go to bed, and come back next morning only to find it got stuck on slide # 3...

A good resource about scanners and scanning is the public scanners newsgroup at news:comp.periphs.scanners where some very knowledgeable people hang out. You'll need a news reader like Xnews or news-capable email program like Thunderbird or Outlook express to access that.

[terrie]

rj: 5000 EDNot going to be in my budget anytime soon...'-}}

Terrie

[RJ Emery]

Not going to be in my budget anytime soon...'-}}
Yes, one does need more than a few nickels for one of these things. If cost is a factor, used ones are available from various sources, including eBay. Regardless if I purchase one new or used, I would resell it after my conversion project is over.

[terrie]

rj: used ones are available from various sources, including eBay. Ebay is a good idea...I've done quite nicely with the stuff I've bought from ebay...just recently bought a HP Laserjet 2200D printer for $107 which included the shipping and a toner cart...


>>Regardless if I purchase one new or used, I would resell it after my conversion project is over.

How many slide do you have? Would it be more cost effective to have them commercially scanned? I did that a number of years ago before I bought my Minolta Elite II and I think I had 200 slides scanned for a bit under $200...

Terrie

[RJ Emery]

How many slide do you have? Would it be more cost effective to have them commercially scanned?
Boxes and boxes. The number of slides easily goes into the thousands. I thought of using a commercial shop to convert them, but I would rather have control of the project at home. I could better organize the slides and apply color corrections as I progressed. I would do a little at a time over the course of several months, then resell the scanner when all was done.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Over in photoforum, I think it was, it seems that these Nikons have a good resale value and so if you can afford the outlay and the amount to be done automatically is limited, then buy one, use it and then sell it.

[terrie]

rj:The number of slides easily goes into the thousands.Ahhhh...thought that might be the case...nevermind...'-}}


>>I thought of using a commercial shop to convert them, but I would rather have control of the project at home. I could better organize the slides and apply color corrections as I progressed. I would do a little at a time over the course of several months, then resell the scanner when all was done.

Definitely the best way to go...

Terrie