Did I Buy The Wrong Scanner for Photo Archiving? CanoScan 9000F MKII vs Epson V600
Hello,
While cleaning out my storage closets I came across two large boxes full of family photos. These are mostly 4x6 prints that are still in the envelopes from the processor. I estimate I have 3,000 - 4,000 prints in total. When I review/organize them I will likely have 2,000+ that I want to scan and add to my digital photo collection. I also have another 1,000+ photos in albums I eventually want to scan.
I already own a CanoScan 8400 as well as an Epson GT1500. The Epson is really meant for scanning documents. I have tried using it on photos, but the output is so-so. The CanoScan is an older, somewhat slower model. I wanted to get a newer model that would offer greater performance, ease of use and quality of scans. After much thought I purchased a CanoScan 9000F MKII a week ago for $180. I have tried scanning my first batch of photos and despite multiple attempts I am not thrilled with the results. The new Canon is much faster than the older one. This much I like. But try as I may, I am not convinced I am getting the best scans that are possible. In addition to Canon's Scan Gear and scanner utility, I tried various settings with VueScan (that was purchased 6 months prior). I am now wondering if I would have been better off with the Epson Perfection V600 that costs almost the same (the V800 at $650+ is way past my budget).
FYI, I have looked into ScanCafe. The idea of someone "hand scanning" and optimizing the scans sounds very intriguing. For $270 they will scan 1,000 photos. Just not sure how comfortable I would be in sending all this prints to India and waiting 6 weeks. I may test them out on a smaller batch at some point.
From what I read, here are my thoughts on scan settings:
- Resolution 900-1200 dpi. I read 600 dpi is fine as long as you don't want to enlarge. Want to go a little higher to be safe. No need to go crazy with DPI on prints though.
- Output - 24-bit TIFF files. I will use PhotoMechanic to crop and save as high-res JPEGs. Important pics will also be kept as TIFF.
- Want ability to do some adjustments before the scan. Notably, some sharpening, color restoration, scratch removal, adjust levels and/or curves. Hoping I can get a basic setting for a batch of photos, then rarely tweak for individual photos in the batch.
- Want s/w to automatically name and number scanned images. So out of scanner I get files like "1998 John's BDay 01, 1998 John's BDay 02...
- For less critical photos, want to scan multiple at a time and have s/w automatically split into individual TIFF files.
I do not find Canon's s/w to be intuitive and am not sure if it will do all that I want automatically. VueScan is better, but not ideal. I like Epson's s/w on the GT1500 better.
Any thoughts on V600 vs CanoScan 9000F MKII? The reason I picked the Canon was from a site that compared scan speeds. The Canon is much faster at very high optical resolutions. After purchase I realized that I would only scan at 4800 dpi if I was scanning negatives (something I may do only 10% of the time). 600 dpi is usually enough on 4x6 prints due to the limitations in resolution of photo prints.
Any suggestions on which software to use and how to set it up? If there is another s/w package that would be much better and costs $50-$75 I would be open to buying it.
Finally, what are the benefits of multiple passes (thinking 2) when scanning photo prints?
While cleaning out my storage closets I came across two large boxes full of family photos. These are mostly 4x6 prints that are still in the envelopes from the processor. I estimate I have 3,000 - 4,000 prints in total. When I review/organize them I will likely have 2,000+ that I want to scan and add to my digital photo collection. I also have another 1,000+ photos in albums I eventually want to scan.
I already own a CanoScan 8400 as well as an Epson GT1500. The Epson is really meant for scanning documents. I have tried using it on photos, but the output is so-so. The CanoScan is an older, somewhat slower model. I wanted to get a newer model that would offer greater performance, ease of use and quality of scans. After much thought I purchased a CanoScan 9000F MKII a week ago for $180. I have tried scanning my first batch of photos and despite multiple attempts I am not thrilled with the results. The new Canon is much faster than the older one. This much I like. But try as I may, I am not convinced I am getting the best scans that are possible. In addition to Canon's Scan Gear and scanner utility, I tried various settings with VueScan (that was purchased 6 months prior). I am now wondering if I would have been better off with the Epson Perfection V600 that costs almost the same (the V800 at $650+ is way past my budget).
FYI, I have looked into ScanCafe. The idea of someone "hand scanning" and optimizing the scans sounds very intriguing. For $270 they will scan 1,000 photos. Just not sure how comfortable I would be in sending all this prints to India and waiting 6 weeks. I may test them out on a smaller batch at some point.
From what I read, here are my thoughts on scan settings:
- Resolution 900-1200 dpi. I read 600 dpi is fine as long as you don't want to enlarge. Want to go a little higher to be safe. No need to go crazy with DPI on prints though.
- Output - 24-bit TIFF files. I will use PhotoMechanic to crop and save as high-res JPEGs. Important pics will also be kept as TIFF.
- Want ability to do some adjustments before the scan. Notably, some sharpening, color restoration, scratch removal, adjust levels and/or curves. Hoping I can get a basic setting for a batch of photos, then rarely tweak for individual photos in the batch.
- Want s/w to automatically name and number scanned images. So out of scanner I get files like "1998 John's BDay 01, 1998 John's BDay 02...
- For less critical photos, want to scan multiple at a time and have s/w automatically split into individual TIFF files.
I do not find Canon's s/w to be intuitive and am not sure if it will do all that I want automatically. VueScan is better, but not ideal. I like Epson's s/w on the GT1500 better.
Any thoughts on V600 vs CanoScan 9000F MKII? The reason I picked the Canon was from a site that compared scan speeds. The Canon is much faster at very high optical resolutions. After purchase I realized that I would only scan at 4800 dpi if I was scanning negatives (something I may do only 10% of the time). 600 dpi is usually enough on 4x6 prints due to the limitations in resolution of photo prints.
Any suggestions on which software to use and how to set it up? If there is another s/w package that would be much better and costs $50-$75 I would be open to buying it.
Finally, what are the benefits of multiple passes (thinking 2) when scanning photo prints?
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One thing you might want to try if you're scanning prints (i.e. not negatives or slides) => do a scan at 600dpi and see if you're happier with the results. You may be using TOO much resolution for the prints, which will "show off" all of their flaws. A lower resolution scan will "average" the data better and can actually result in a better-looking scan. In fact, Epson's high-speed photo scanner that's designed to just can prints only has a 600dpi optical imager [ and gets VERY good reviews ]: https://epson.com/For-Home/Scanners/Photo/FastFoto-FF-640-High-speed-Photo-Scanning-System/p/B11B246201
... Caveat r.e. the comment I made above r.e. the "... VERY good reviews " for the FF640 high-speed photo scanner => I just read a bunch of them, and note that a LOT of them are written by folks who received the scanner for free as part of an Epson Beta program to get this scanner out and tested with real-world photographers. Doesn't mean the reviews aren't valid -- but clearly there's some question about objectivity when you get a $600 scanner for free.
ASKER
Hi everyone - sorry I have not posted. Been busy on other things. Will update over the weekend.
ASKER
Hi everyone. Got busy with holidays, vacations and out of town visitors and did not have any chance to do much with this. I am leaning towards trying to return the scanner on Tuesday when stores re-open. If that is not possible, I will try playing with setting from third party software.
As an aside, I have some fairly decent Canon DSLR gear and am thinking about trying to take photos of the prints using my camera. I do not have a dedicate macro lens, but have the macro attachment filter that does a fairly good job. I want to see how pictures come out using my 70D with the 85mm F1.8 lens and the macro attachment. This may be a much faster solution than scanning, and may give me as good results. If I see anything worthwhile, I may post examples on this thread down the road.
As an aside, I have some fairly decent Canon DSLR gear and am thinking about trying to take photos of the prints using my camera. I do not have a dedicate macro lens, but have the macro attachment filter that does a fairly good job. I want to see how pictures come out using my 70D with the 85mm F1.8 lens and the macro attachment. This may be a much faster solution than scanning, and may give me as good results. If I see anything worthwhile, I may post examples on this thread down the road.
ASKER