I want a Film/slide scanner for around $300, don't care if it's used.

I put all of my photos online, and i hate scanning prints one by one, and the scanner would pay for itself pretty quick rather than paying $11 a pop for photo CD's. And i've tried the online services... their quality is way too low for me. AND... i don't want a flatbed with a film adaptor... i want a dedicated film scanner.

I don't know too much about all the brands that are out there... but the important things are that i need a 35mm Film scanner than can do full frame at a decent resolution... at least 2000dpi i guess, batch scanning, and the price point of no more than $350.

SO... if any of you out there in empeg land have any experience with film scanners or can recommend one, i'd highly appreciate any info. Links to good reviews would help too. Thanks!!

I guess I should keep an eye on what people suggest as I want to get something like this for a friend (in the hopes that he'll scan some stuff and send it to me )

AOL.

AOL film scanner? Never heard of it.

My boss has one of these, and I can safely say it is a good buy. The only gripes I've had with it is that it tends to be a little slow, and some of the deep wood tones get a little washed out for some reason (90% of the pictures I scan are of wine racks made of various types of wood). As far as picture quality though, it's very crisp, and for ~ $300 you aren't going to find much better resolution. All in all, I'd give it a 3.75 out of 5.

Hahah... that's funny. I just came back to this thread to say i was considering that flatbed after doing a little more research.

I'd strayed away from looking at flatbeds with film adapters after hearing bad things about the eveness of the lighting source, but all of the reviews i can find of that scanner seem to say it's excellent... and it's nice that it will do 12 35mm neg frames in one shot.

Grr... now i can't decide. I was really looking at just a straign dedicated film scanner, but the value of getting a good flatbed as well as a decent film scanner is making me question that. i had decisions like this. Stupid technology. =]

Yeah. Well, in all fairness, I guess I should say that the only reason my boss bought it was because I recommended it. Although, when I did, I had never used it. I did read a ton of reviews, and talked to a friend that used one. Never heard about any problems, except the fact that it was a little slow.

Anyway, good luck deciding. I hate these types of decisions as well. Hopefully, you find one that suits your needs.

Alrighty, i went with the Epson 2450. I did about 4 hours worth of research and it seems like it will best suit my needs. Thanks for the recommendation.

Sweet. Glad I could help.

I have this recollection the Linux support was lacking. I should look again

Of course one of these days I should get my Plustek A3 scanner working better.

i don't do any daily work on a linux box... but thanks for the note. =]

Maybe you shoud

Seriously, though, I guess I don't care that much either because if I get one I'm not keeping it.

Dude, you make decisions fast! I didn't even have time to post the scanner that my dad's company uses.

I actually asked this exact same question about a year ago I think. I believe our desktop publishing person thinks its a good scanner.

heheh... not that quick, i've been checking out slide scanners for about a week... and i looked at the Epson in a retail store. I had just dismissed it before doing any research on it. Thanks for the link though.