Expert: Eric C. M. Basir - 12/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Can you recommend an excellent scanner for scanning photos?  I want one that will provide excellent quality not just good quality.  I was told that a stand alone scanner is better than a 3 in 1, but is there a combined scanner/printer that will give me excellent quality.  Any advise would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Sheryl

ANSWER: Sheryl, I recommend the Epson brand scanners. Almost anything by them is good for prints and most slides/negatives. Generally speaking, the standalone flatbed scanners are better. It all depends on how much you're willing to spend. For 3-in-1 I recommend HP. Get the best you can afford. Definitely get one with a duplexer (allows printing on both sides of paper).

See the link below for my recommended software and hardware:

http://photografix.pro/Restoration/PGXU_Store-Tools-SH.html

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QUESTION: Dear Eric,
Thank you very much for you fast response.  You recommended the Epson 350, is the Epson 500 better?  Are there any HP, 3 in 1 that is equivalent to the Epson?
Sheryl

Answer
I speak for the 360 because I use it so much. However, the 500 is more recent model. Resolution is a little better. Same with other specification. So go for the 500 if you are able.

The only decent 3-in-1 that I can think of is the HP L7680 and the newer ones coming from that line. But I'm not 100% happy with the interface for scanning photos. It tends to restrict advanced control over the scanner software.