What scanner can automatically scan photos?

[David Johnstone]

Hi Group,
This must be a fairly standard question.
I want to scan large numbers of colour photographs in, as
automatically as possible. Ideally I'd like a scanner with a feeder
that can automatically pull the pictures in, scan them, and work
together with software (Win XP) to crop them to photo size.
If it can really work on it's own, speed is not terribly important.
Quality should be as good as possible. The pictures are more or
less standard snapshot sizes.
I have a simple Canon Lide 20 Scanner which works ok, but
it's very labour-intensive. Is there maybe something like a
feeder for that scanner (probably not)?
For the right device I'd be willing to pay a fare bit of money.
Any recommendations?
TIA, David

PS. Sorry if this post shows up twice.
Google reported an error beginning with "Oops.."
and there's no way of telling if it actually got posted already.

 

[theo]

I've posted to a number of similar questions on my regard for the multiple
photo feeder (document feeder) settop unit of the Epson 2480 LE, since my
purchase in March 2005. It is now discontinued, just in time for the MPF
to fritz. The local factory authorized service center is not optimistic
but ordered parts because it is still warrantied. If not warrantied, the
bench charge and parts prices would have been more than this week's eBay
offering for a new complete 2480LE. HP also had a multiple photo capable
settop, also discontinued. There are a few lighter-duty models which
accept a feed of 1 or 2 thru their standard lids, not what you desire.
The catalog for sub-250USD (180£) units with MPF is quite slim. So if (as
I expect, being a pessimist) the Epson people discover the MPF is both
irreplacable and irrepairable, I also will be waiting for others'
suggestions to your query.
Condolences,
Theo

 

[David Johnstone]

I've posted to a number of similar questions on my regard for the multiple
photo feeder (document feeder) settop unit of the Epson 2480 LE, since my
purchase in March 2005. It is now discontinued, just in time for the MPF
to fritz. The local factory authorized service center is not optimistic
but ordered parts because it is still warrantied. If not warrantied, the
bench charge and parts prices would have been more than this week's eBay
offering for a new complete 2480LE. HP also had a multiple photo capable
settop, also discontinued. There are a few lighter-duty models which
accept a feed of 1 or 2 thru their standard lids, not what you desire.
The catalog for sub-250USD (180£) units with MPF is quite slim. So if (as
I expect, being a pessimist) the Epson people discover the MPF is both
irreplacable and irrepairable, I also will be waiting for others'
suggestions to your query.
Condolences,
Theo

Hi Theo,
thanks for the info. Were you happy with the Epson, while it lasted?
Was it a mechanical failure, or something electronic? Did it seem
reasonably robust, or do you think heavy usage would always be a
problem?
Well, I guess if it is still under guarantee Epson will have to do
something for you.
I also found a few HP models through google searches. They have
e.g. a scanner buyers guide that talks about an APF (automatic
photo feeder?), but then the only models I find (5590P, 5590C)
talk about automatic *document* feeders (A4), which are probably
not suitable for photos, right?
David

 

[J. Teske]

I've posted to a number of similar questions on my regard for the multiple
photo feeder (document feeder) settop unit of the Epson 2480 LE, since my
purchase in March 2005. It is now discontinued, just in time for the MPF
to fritz. The local factory authorized service center is not optimistic
but ordered parts because it is still warrantied. If not warrantied, the
bench charge and parts prices would have been more than this week's eBay
offering for a new complete 2480LE. HP also had a multiple photo capable
settop, also discontinued. There are a few lighter-duty models which
accept a feed of 1 or 2 thru their standard lids, not what you desire.
The catalog for sub-250USD (180£) units with MPF is quite slim. So if (as
I expect, being a pessimist) the Epson people discover the MPF is both
irreplacable and irrepairable, I also will be waiting for others'
suggestions to your query.
Condolences,
Theo

If the local factory authorized repair depot bombs, I'd call Epson
customer service. I have done this for a printer on two occasions. In
both cases Epson replaced or repaired the unit at their own factory
depot. One of these units was actually out of warrantee by a small
margin.

I did sent them the receipt from the local (e.g. Epson authorized, but
not THE Epson company) depot. I also went through the trouble shoot on
the telephone with the tech on the other end. He gave me a repair
authorization number. I did pay the shipping to them. Epson turned
around the unit (I do think they repaired and sent my original unit
back to me) in about a week including shipping time. The situation was
a working printer stopped working upon installation of a new ink
cartridge set.

In the case of the warranted printer, they just sent me a new one and
told me to ship the old one back in the box the new one came in. I had
to post a credit card security deposit pending return of the original
unit, but that was a small price to pay and, of course, didn't show
up. The problem on that unit was a paper carrier mechanism didn't work
properly.

The first unit mentioned above, was actually the replacement unit for
the second problem described.

I felt Epson treated me fairly.

I do have an Epson scanner, but it is just an ordinary unit and has
worked fine for at least two years and still going strong.

Jon

This must be a fairly standard question.
I want to scan large numbers of colour photographs in, as
automatically as possible. Ideally I'd like a scanner with a feeder
that can automatically pull the pictures in, scan them, and work
together with software (Win XP) to crop them to photo size.
If it can really work on it's [sic] own, speed is not terribly important.
Quality should be as good as possible. The pictures are more or
less standard snapshot sizes.

For the right device I'd be willing to pay a fare bit of money.
Any recommendations?

 

[theo]

Hi Theo,
thanks for the info. Were you happy with the Epson, while it lasted?

Quite happy. the feeder was designed for 3x5 and 4x6 snapshot paper as
well as business card stock. The paper travel requires only a 20-30° bend
to move from the tray to the glass bed, and the same for the travel to the
out tray.

Was it a mechanical failure, or something electronic?

Because the motor in the settop did not initialize, and the software
(both epson's bundle and VueScan) did not see the MPF when I had its
mini-DIN plug in, probably electronic.

Did it seem reasonably robust, or do you think heavy usage would always
be a
problem?

It is definitely meant for the happy-snaps crowd with a bit more cash -
witness the MSRP berth of <$200 vs. ~$70 for basic reflective-only flatbed
scanner. But certainly sturdy enough case and lid hinges and such.

Well, I guess if it is still under guarantee Epson will have to do
something for you.
I also found a few HP models through google searches. They have
e.g. a scanner buyers guide that talks about an APF (automatic
photo feeder?), but then the only models I find (5590P, 5590C)
talk about automatic *document* feeders (A4), which are probably
not suitable for photos, right?

As you surmise, most ADF are not optimized for snapshots. The thickness
of a coated photo paper resists the feeder roller curvature for
150°± travel to the glass bed, tending to jam especially for the out-path
has been my experience. Also the edge guides for the in-path on many ADFs
and copiers do not collapse inward enough to aline 4x6 much less 3x5 card
stock. So reading between the lines of the promotional material leaves you
close to where I am - -
Lamenting,
Theo

 

[David Johnstone]

It is definitely meant for the happy-snaps crowd with a bit more cash -
witness the MSRP berth of <$200 vs. ~$70 for basic reflective-only flatbed
scanner. But certainly sturdy enough case and lid hinges and such.

Why on earth do you imagine they took it off the market?
There doesn't seem to be any competition and I'm sure there's
a huge market amongst people who have lot's of pics to scan
(which must be almost everybody over 30).
Perhaps it just wasn't reliable and they were losing too much
on guarantee claims like yours.
Pity.
David

 

[David Johnstone]

Hi Group,
This must be a fairly standard question.
I want to scan large numbers of colour photographs in, as
automatically as possible. Ideally I'd like a scanner with a feeder
that can automatically pull the pictures in, scan them, and work
together with software (Win XP) to crop them to photo size.
If it can really work on it's own, speed is not terribly important.
Quality should be as good as possible. The pictures are more or
less standard snapshot sizes.
I have a simple Canon Lide 20 Scanner which works ok, but
it's very labour-intensive. Is there maybe something like a
feeder for that scanner (probably not)?
For the right device I'd be willing to pay a fare bit of money.
Any recommendations?
TIA, David

I just got back from my local computer supermarket, where
they had an HP Scanjet 5530C, with automatic photo feeder
for 24 photos, knocked down to EUR197.
It was a demo model, with quite
a nasty scratch on the front, but they would give the normal
guarantee. This seems to be a discontinued model, but also
still available from several mail order shops at prices between
around EUR260-300.
It looks as if it would do the job (though why discontinued?),
but having read a bit more I'm wondering if a negative scanner
would be better. I have negatives for probably around 80%
of my photo collection - those would probably be better, but
for the other 20% it'd be leg work with the flat bed scanner.
David

 

[theo]

but having read a bit more I'm wondering if a negative scanner

would be better. I have negatives for probably around 80%
of my photo collection - those would probably be better, but

Duh-oh, and dope slap, self-struck to forehead! Dynamic range, bit depth,
ppi resolution available in the negative is MUCH greater than the print,
whether processed at Klick or at Kodak. And most dedicated film scanners
will batch scan in their bundled software, altho' the film carrier holds 4
-6 frames, not 24, so necessitating shorter intervals to replacing the
next film strip. Even the least among the film scanners (think PI 1800i or
the sort) gives deeper digital image file than all but the highest end
prosumer flatbed with film adapter template. So sort the orphan prints
from those with paired negatives, take the orphans to PhotoBox and pay
them to put on a CD because 300 ppi/dpi is all you're going to get, don't
waste your time. The 80% negatives fraction leads to the next series of
queries -- which film scanner fits your: credit limit? tolerance for
learning curve? fussiness (probably for you not pronounced, your OP asked
for a set-and-forget convenience)? So now we off topic, pointing to a new
thread.
So enlightened,
Theo