Discussion
Hi all,
I've decided that I really would like to get all my old photos scanned up digitally. Only issue is that I could do without sitting down for a year or two, doing it individually.
So, are there any scanners on the market that you can load 20 or so photos a time into, and it will automatically take, scan (including correct photo size, like APS photos), and auto correct any blemishes?
Cheers
I've decided that I really would like to get all my old photos scanned up digitally. Only issue is that I could do without sitting down for a year or two, doing it individually.
So, are there any scanners on the market that you can load 20 or so photos a time into, and it will automatically take, scan (including correct photo size, like APS photos), and auto correct any blemishes?
Cheers
Not that I know of.Er, if you are talking standard sized prints (in all their variety) then you would need a pretty big scanner for 20 at a time. 5 or 6 would be a typical limit for a flat-bed scanner. If talking negatives then probably 16 at a time in a flat-bed. Slides a little less because they have mounts.
Yes some of the flat-beds will have software that SHOULD (but sometime may not) recognise the individual prints and separate them. Yes they will have software that will look for problems (dust, scratches, colour fade, etc.) and have a go at correcting them. Often successful, sometimes not very successful. Depends what you throw at it.
If any half reasonable result will do you can make it quite a fast process but applying stringent qualilty control is likely to be more involved where some snaps don't respond well to the auto settings. If you are very fussy then be prepared to commit some time and effort.
Flatbed scanner are pretty much the domain of Epson and Canon these days. Maybe HP too. Their products come with scanning software and stuff but there are other applications available. Some of the multi-finction printers may be OK if you are talking just prints. You need a half decent PC (or Mac) for speed.
PLan B would be to consider using a third party scanning service - there are a number of people who will take on the task at a reasonable price per photo. No idea how well such a service works but there is no reason why it should not be OK.
HTH.
Yes some of the flat-beds will have software that SHOULD (but sometime may not) recognise the individual prints and separate them. Yes they will have software that will look for problems (dust, scratches, colour fade, etc.) and have a go at correcting them. Often successful, sometimes not very successful. Depends what you throw at it.
If any half reasonable result will do you can make it quite a fast process but applying stringent qualilty control is likely to be more involved where some snaps don't respond well to the auto settings. If you are very fussy then be prepared to commit some time and effort.
Flatbed scanner are pretty much the domain of Epson and Canon these days. Maybe HP too. Their products come with scanning software and stuff but there are other applications available. Some of the multi-finction printers may be OK if you are talking just prints. You need a half decent PC (or Mac) for speed.
PLan B would be to consider using a third party scanning service - there are a number of people who will take on the task at a reasonable price per photo. No idea how well such a service works but there is no reason why it should not be OK.
HTH.
LongQ said:
Er, if you are talking standard sized prints (in all their variety) then you would need a pretty big scanner for 20 at a time.
I think he meant a sheet-fed scanner, like a printer. Such a thing might exist, at vast cost, but it certainly couldn't automatically remove blemishes because as a machine it would have no idea how to perceive one.It would be quicker to set up a rostrum-type affair and re-photograph them digitally.
Simpo Two said:
LongQ said:
Er, if you are talking standard sized prints (in all their variety) then you would need a pretty big scanner for 20 at a time.
I think he meant a sheet-fed scanner, like a printer. Such a thing might exist, at vast cost, but it certainly couldn't automatically remove blemishes because as a machine it would have no idea how to perceive one.It would be quicker to set up a rostrum-type affair and re-photograph them digitally.
Pure speculation Simpo (I would suggest) ....
But either way not something one might typically find in 'the study'.
It might actually be quicker and cheaper to recreate the shoot and capture it with a RED camera - when they release one.
That said I'm not convinced that you are right about blemish removal. Humans have, in recent times, programmed machines to identify 'blemishes' and deal with them. Sometimes very successfully. But of course, not always.
What you're asking for is something like this, the Kodak PS410... don't moan about how expensive it is at around a grand 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGhSayF4wE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGhSayF4wE
bigandclever said:
What you're asking for is something like this, the Kodak PS410... don't moan about how expensive it is at around a grand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGhSayF4wE
oh yes! now thats the right tool for the job, bit pricey though. does anyone on here have one?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGhSayF4wE
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