Scanner that can batch scan photographs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter silenceseeker2003
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silenceseeker2003

I know about scanners with ADFs - but these are intended for documents,
not the standard 35mm printouts that we all own (4x6, 5x7, 8x10, etc.).

I am looking for a scanner that can automatically feed a pile of photos
(at least 24 in a batch), in order to archive old family photos on
digital media (CD/DVD/HDD). This is a huge collection of photos for
which I have no 35mm negatives, so I have to opt for this solution
although I know the quality scan is not as high as scanning directly
the negatives. It is OK not to get the top quality/resolution - speed
is more important in this case.

Does such a scanner exist?

If so, could you please point me to the manufacturer and model? (web
link would be super)

Thanks!
Sam
 
I know about scanners with ADFs - but these are intended for documents,
not the standard 35mm printouts that we all own (4x6, 5x7, 8x10, etc.).

I am looking for a scanner that can automatically feed a pile of photos
(at least 24 in a batch), in order to archive old family photos on
digital media (CD/DVD/HDD). This is a huge collection of photos for
which I have no 35mm negatives, so I have to opt for this solution
although I know the quality scan is not as high as scanning directly
the negatives. It is OK not to get the top quality/resolution - speed
is more important in this case.

Does such a scanner exist?

If so, could you please point me to the manufacturer and model? (web
link would be super)

Thanks!
Sam
Click to expand...
Any scanner with a Automatic Document feed may work. But be aware that ADF's
are NOT good for photographs. (They have a reputation for mutations).

HP used to make one called the HP Scanjet 5500 that had a photo feeder.


There is the Epson Perfection 3590:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=53540927

Optional Equipment

Multi Photo/Business Card Feeder, scans 24 photos and business cards up to
4" x 6"
 
Carl, once again you are always there to help... thank you!

As you correctly indicated, ADF's are not good for photographs and so I
am ruling those out.

I looked at the link you provided, and noticed that the Epson
Perfection 3590 does not have digital ICE. Pretty frustrating to not
being able to have a scanner that "has it all" (not asking for too
much, just auto photo feed *and* digital ICE).

I also noticed that on the photo feeder page:

http://tinyurl.com/crzcr

It says that it only works with:

* Epson Perfection 2480 PHOTO
* Epson Perfection 2580 PHOTO

So, I am confused: does the photo feeder work with the 3590 as well?

If so (despite the fact that the 3590 is not listed on the photo feeder
page) is it possible that that photo feeder works with other Epson
Perfection scanners that do have Digital ICE? For example the Epson
Perfection 4990 PHOTO (http://tinyurl.com/evxv6)?

Also, it is hard for me to believe that there one and only one photo
feeder in the entire world... Kind of suggesting some clear advantage
of Epson over others (monopoly?). Isn't there really a choice for us
consumers?


Thanks!
 
Also, it is hard for me to believe that there one and only one photo
feeder in the entire world... Kind of suggesting some clear advantage
of Epson over others (monopoly?). Isn't there really a choice for us
consumers?
Click to expand...

I offer the premise that there has not been a great enough demand at the
naive consumer tier for another MPF of the Epson capability. Evidenced by
Epson discontinuing the 2480/MPF combination aprx. 6 months back. This
time I'm glad I bought the extended warranty - the 1st MPF chugged away
for 7 months until the base refused to initialize it, then took 2 swaps
over 2 months to get units to handshake. Other Epson flatbeds have the
PS\2 port on the base for powering the lamp in the lid for tranny work,
but the firmware for driving the vacuum and the belts may not be
embedded. Some consolidation vendors offered deals online for just the
MPF - I don't remember which sites\pages, no help for you now.
Regards,
Theo
=======
Pessimists remain morose precisely because they are so right too often.
 
Thank, Theo. This is indeed sad news for me since I am looking for a
product with some backing, perhaps even plans for improved models. It
seems that it is still possible to purchase the "HP Automatic Photo
Feeder for Scanjet 4570CXi, 5500C, 5500CXi":

http://tinyurl.com/g5lqe

But as I said before, I am not interested in such option.

I wonder if the following scanner can do the job, since its description
says: "It accepts everything from black-and-white documents to photos,
film, and other materials":

http://tinyurl.com/g9a5a

I will keep looking... and let you know if I find anything.

Sam
 
Thank, Theo. This is indeed sad news for me since I am looking for a
product with some backing, perhaps even plans for improved models. It
seems that it is still possible to purchase the "HP Automatic Photo
Feeder for Scanjet 4570CXi, 5500C, 5500CXi":

http://tinyurl.com/g5lqe

But as I said before, I am not interested in such option.

I wonder if the following scanner can do the job, since its description
says: "It accepts everything from black-and-white documents to photos,
film, and other materials":

http://tinyurl.com/g9a5a

I will keep looking... and let you know if I find anything.
Click to expand...
Any flatbed scanner with a light in its lid will accept film on the
platen. Devil in the details, and I see detail about the automatic
document feeder for the 8300 family being N/A for happysnap photo prints.
The choice of such verbiage in the spec page, and the choices of "pages"
and "documents" in the overview, infer to me this is not your salvation.
HP at least still has some support for the legacy 5500 family.
Regards,
Theo
 
Wow! I almost gave up on finding options/alternatives to the single
EPSON one. Thank you!
Click to expand...

I've played this thread before, but this past week I've also looked for
another brand-model for feeding prints. The base unit of my Epson 2480
died. The only machines in the naive consumer/sub-$500 range I found, in
brick or online stores, are the successor 3490 and 3590 Epson flatbeds,
fitting the same optional still available Multi Photo/BusinessCard Feeder
introduced in the 2480 era. As you noted earlier, others have document
or sheet feeders which are not suitable alining 3x5 or 4x6 photo prints.
So burdened the plastic with more debt to get the 3490 for prints and an
Epson 4490 to scan 6x6 mtd diapos. The wife is not happy with my
extravagances.
Please share the news if you find an alternative?
Regards,
Theo
=======
Pessimists remain morose precisely because they are so right too often.
 
The Photo Feed Scanner site contains lots of information you can base your buying or renting decision on particularly with regard to automatic photo scanner equipment.

I have a NeatDesktop scanner in the office which serves my purpose just perfectly.
 
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