Flatbed scanners
Discussion
I've been using an Epson Perfection 3170 flatbed scanner for a number of years, which has just decided to give up the ghost. It appears that there isn't a modern equivalent any more, either by Epson or Canon.
Has anyone got any experience of either the Epson Perfection V39 II or the Canon CanoScan LiDE 400?
It will be used for scanning professional artwork/illustration to then put into Photoshop to work further on so quality needs to be as good as the 3170. The price point for the new scanners is quite a bit lower, but I didn't know if the technology has advanced in over 20 years making the same quality cheaper? The resolution seems to be higher on the new scanner, so I assume it should give better results?
The other option is to get a second hand Epson Perfection V600.
Has anyone got any experience of either the Epson Perfection V39 II or the Canon CanoScan LiDE 400?
It will be used for scanning professional artwork/illustration to then put into Photoshop to work further on so quality needs to be as good as the 3170. The price point for the new scanners is quite a bit lower, but I didn't know if the technology has advanced in over 20 years making the same quality cheaper? The resolution seems to be higher on the new scanner, so I assume it should give better results?
The other option is to get a second hand Epson Perfection V600.
Edited by .Adam. on Saturday 13th June 10:45
Most of the big names have exited the consumer/prosumer flatbed scanner market as most home users are happy with the integrated units on the all-in-ones. Even the V39ii is getting on a bit...although I suppose scanning technology isn't that complicated to need much innovation.
The more expensive, office-oriented Workforce scanners are only 600dpi or 1200dpi and intended for document throughput speed rather the 4800dpi of the photo-oriented models.
I've been using all-in-one photo printers since I swapped out my Stylus Photo R2400 and Perfection 4180 when I was doing much less scanning at home - which had replaced ageing A2 Stylus Color 3000 and GT15000 scanner.
Currently using a (1200x4800) ET-8550 all-in-one, which suits my current basic needs (i.e. no slide/film or colour-critical scanning anymore)...but even thought it's a premium-priced printer, it comes with a cheaper consumer LED/CIS scanner, not a prosumer CCD scanner.
The more expensive, office-oriented Workforce scanners are only 600dpi or 1200dpi and intended for document throughput speed rather the 4800dpi of the photo-oriented models.
I've been using all-in-one photo printers since I swapped out my Stylus Photo R2400 and Perfection 4180 when I was doing much less scanning at home - which had replaced ageing A2 Stylus Color 3000 and GT15000 scanner.
Currently using a (1200x4800) ET-8550 all-in-one, which suits my current basic needs (i.e. no slide/film or colour-critical scanning anymore)...but even thought it's a premium-priced printer, it comes with a cheaper consumer LED/CIS scanner, not a prosumer CCD scanner.
Edited by mmm-five on Saturday 13th June 12:25
I've been using a Canon LiDe 400 for a few years now and it's been a good scanner, though slow if I've wanted to use a very high resolution. I do not use the Canon software so no clue what's like, as I've been using VueScan for years. How good it is at top resolutions alas I can not say.
GrizzlyBear said:
I still have an Agfa 1212U that I bought in about 2001, it still works fine, not sure if the software will work on Win 11... sadly it is on a CD, and my Win 11 Laptop is lacking a optical drive 
Have a look at Vuescan - it's basically a scanner software suite that is compatible with almost every scanner ever made. Currently there is a discount offer running until Monday:https://www.hamrick.com/
Quick update, I've managed to fix the scanner. I opened it up and found a tiny plastic lug that held the belt tensioner had broken, so I modelled a support to 3D print to replace the broken lug and bolted it in, and it seems to have worked, so happy with that. It also means the 3D printer has more than paid for itself with this one fix, so another bonus!
Mr Pointy said:
GrizzlyBear said:
I still have an Agfa 1212U that I bought in about 2001, it still works fine, not sure if the software will work on Win 11... sadly it is on a CD, and my Win 11 Laptop is lacking a optical drive
Have a look at Vuescan - it's basically a scanner software suite that is compatible with almost every scanner ever made. Currently there is a discount offer running until Monday:https://www.hamrick.com/
My parents gave me an old Epson photo scanner when it would no longer work with whatever version of windows they had moved to. I used it for a bit until I upgraded(?!) windows then it sat in a cupboard. Found Vuescan a few years ago and it meant I could carry on scanning old negatives and slides at my leisure
My one regret with VueScan is when I first bought a license Henrick sold a lifetime one as well - wish I had got it. Now had to get a second licence but happy to do so.
Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
dapprman said:
My one regret with VueScan is when I first bought a license Henrick sold a lifetime one as well - wish I had got it. Now had to get a second licence but happy to do so.
Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
I'm the same with the lifetime option. Thought I'd just give it a go for a few months then swap to a lifetime one if it worked ok... then they stopped it.Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
dapprman said:
My one regret with VueScan is when I first bought a license Henrick sold a lifetime one as well - wish I had got it. Now had to get a second licence but happy to do so.
Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
Do you really need the updates though? It's not as if they make massive changes between versions.Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
Mr Pointy said:
dapprman said:
My one regret with VueScan is when I first bought a license Henrick sold a lifetime one as well - wish I had got it. Now had to get a second licence but happy to do so.
Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
Do you really need the updates though? It's not as if they make massive changes between versions.Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
dapprman said:
Mr Pointy said:
dapprman said:
My one regret with VueScan is when I first bought a license Henrick sold a lifetime one as well - wish I had got it. Now had to get a second licence but happy to do so.
Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
Do you really need the updates though? It's not as if they make massive changes between versions.Should add, the subscription is just to keep it up to date beyond a year. My new licence was to cover my new (at the time) Canon LiDE 400.
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