Scanner Process Last Week

Last week I wrote to you my decision process as I was trying to choose a scanner.  You can see my thoughts here.  You will also see some good info on scanners.  I will sure that I was going to either get a used Nikon Coolscan with a Nikon SF-210 Auto Slide Feeder (they don’t make them anymore) or a new Automated 35MM Slide Scanner by Pacific Image Electronics.  I was sure it was going to be one of the two!!

New Fractal Rainbow Flame

Talked with B & H

We called B & H to talk with someone there.  They are very good at helping one sort through the possibilities.  Given that one of the options was not through B & H, I was a little hesitant to call … but Susan encouraged me since I was all tangled in the information.

Wow Craig Knows Scanners!

Susan got on the phone first and asked the person who answered if he knew about scanners.  He said he sure did.  So I started to tell him my choices and trying to choose between them.  He didn’t care at all that one of the choices wasn’t through the store … he said they wanted to have happy customers and also did not work on commission.  So that right there took a big burden off my shoulders that he didn’t care where we bought our new (theoretical) scanner.

The Scanner Discussion

I told him that I like the specifications of the Nikon Coolscan even thought it was older and used.  I also said the Automated 35MM Slide Scanner by Pacific Image Electronics seemed decent even though the specs weren’t as good. I explained how we didn’t want to scan slides on a flatbed scanner since they didn’t come out as well and are a royal hassle!  He said that there were problems with both the Nikon and the Pacific Image scanners with scanning old slides.  Old slides will usually be a little frail and some bits will fall off and make the scan not as clean as it can be.  Those bits often jam the slide holder and get on the lens of the scanner.

New vs Old Scanner

Craig said that the new scanning techniques are just plain better than the old ones.  But he didn’t want us to buy the Pacific Image scanner … he wanted us to buy a *less expensive* flatbed scanner.  He explained that the Epson Perfection V750-M Pro Scanner would meet our needs perfectly.

There is a 12 slot holder for slides (much better than the 3 slides in our old, broken flatbed scanner).  He also advised getting an extra slide holder (we went to Ebay for that – we couldn’t find one at Amazon). He promised there were plenty out there – and there are.  As one is scanning the 12 slides, one can prepare the next set (or 2 sets) for slides to keep the process moving along.

Specs of the Epson Scanner

Craig said this scanner would scan better than the Pacific Images one and was less money.  Whew!  When I looked at the specifications, I could see that there were very similar to the Nikon I had wanted.  Also, he said there were just plain improvements in the scanning process that would be helpful.  There are also holders for other kinds of media like large format and film.  There is even some process with a liquid something.

The Decision

We also were needing a flatbed scanner since I want to try my hand at Zentangle and Zendoodles.  Plus there is always the need to have a flatbed scanner around for various purposes – we have used our old ones 100s if not 1000s of times!  Craig said the quality of the Epson is excellent and I can see that it is!  Also, it is a relief to have made this decision – one I have known I needed to make for quite awhile!  So I will let you know as things progress how it is!

Thank you for following my process! Below I am sharing links to a lot of my shops in case you want to do a little shopping for functional art!  ~ Diane Clancy

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