Typophile

Desktop Scanner Advice

umlautthoni

I am currently in the market to purchase a new desktop scanner. Many of the reviews name the CanoScan and Epson. I am not going to be scanning any negatives, so that isn't a crucial factor in my final decision. I have used a CanoScan Lide 60 and an Agfa Snapscan 1212u. The CanoScan interface was clunky compared to the SnapScan. The SnapScan software gave you the ability to select several small areas individually on a page and scan them as opposed to scanning an entire page. I found that to be very helpful as I do a lot of thumbnail sketching. However, it was loud. Obnoxiously loud, to be more precise.

Do any of you have any suggestions on a good scanner? I'm not all that technically advanced and was wondering what ever happened to scanning from within Photoshop. That was another thing I liked about the SnapScan. It can with a driver that allowed you to do so. As far as I know, the CanoScan does not allow to scan from Photoshop. Am I wrong?

Anyway, thank you very much for your time and any assistance you may provide.

John Hudson

I have a CanoScan 4400F. I don't do a lot of scanning, but I've been pretty happy with this machine. It is possible to run the CanoScan from within Photoshop, via the File/Import function.

schriftgestalt

I’m very happy with the Canon Lide series. They are small, fast enough and do not need a extra power brick.

You need to switch to Advanced Mode in the scanning software to be able to select the scanning area... And it works with Photoshop.

G

mk2

Canoscan is the most popular in my country, after Epson and Agfa and HP.
And like Mr. Hudson said, the scanning process is a breeze via Photoshop.

Quincunx

I have the CanoScan 5000F, it's already a few years old, but I think it's an excellent scanner. I'm sure you can get a newer scanner in the same series that is also good.

blank

I got a refurbished low-end Epson model for around $100 shipped from Epson.com. The scan quality is great, it’s fast and quiet, and I think Epson makes some of the best scanner software around. Unless you’re scanning photographs for high-end book design you just don’t need to spend a lot on a scanner these days, it’s more important to just avoid really crappy brands (don’t buy HP!).

umlautthoni

I sincerely appreciate all the feedback.

@Reetsde: You're point about being USB powered is an excellent one and very well received. I never thought about the power adapter. I'm all for reducing cable clutter.

@John Hudson/Reetsde/mk2: I'm currently borrowing a CanoScan and tried to scan directly from Photoshop with no luck. Back in the day, File>Import>Twain and away you went. However, with the CanoScan Toolbox, I have to use its interface and it will automatically open the image in Photoshop. Is this what you were referring to?

@James: I owned an Epson ink jet printer that I was really happy with until it finally stopped working. It served me very well and I have no complaints. I never really thought of them as being an option until you and mk2 suggested to look at them.

John Hudson

However, with the CanoScan Toolbox, I have to use its interface and it will automatically open the image in Photoshop. Is this what you were referring to?

Yes.

mk2

@Mark:
I only click File>Import>ScannerName from Photoshop to launch the Toolbox, press 'Scan' ,and the Toolbox will close itself automatically after the scanning process is done.

umlautthoni

This is exactly what I see when I go to File>Import>. . .

I must be missing the driver?

mili

I have an old Epson 1200 Photo with a removable part for negatives/slides. It has served me very well and allows me to scan from Photoshop. The place to go is exactly then one you're showing, perhaps there's a driver missing, as you said.

mk2

@Mark:
Probably yes. :D

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