[koshime]

Hi guys,

For all good folk interested in obtaining the best scan of their linework/design work done traditionally, what is a good scanner from budget to mid ranged scanners to invest in these days versus all in one (scaner/photocopier/printer) packages

[IGB]

I went for a Canon LiDE60 A4 flatbed scanner [perhaps around £40-£60 now i' not sure]. It has an attachment so you can make it stand up, if your desk area is crowded. You can do all sorts with it and the actual scanning software that comes with it is actually pretty good. The scan quality is very good and it even does 48-bit colour scanning.

I wouldn't personally go for a multifunction device, as generally you sacrifice quality in all or one areas. Its better to spend your money on a bit of kit that just does the job you need, which is the best spec you can afford.

[luis-felipe]

I have an HP Photosmart C5180 All-In-One and its great. I use it mostly for scanning and the BIG downside to it is that its not as flexible as a normal scanner but it works and came out for the same price as a normal scanner. Imagine that, its insane. The quality is magnificent, I have absolutely no problems with quality and the price is reasonable.

My advice is this. If you've got a good printer already then just buy a scanner but if you no or just a bad printer then buying an All-In-One is the way to go. You certainly wont regret it plus my All-In-One takes up just the space of a printer, that's a huge advantage if you have little room and don't want a lot of hardware around.

[MelUran]

I personally had tried both types, and prefer a scanner by itself. UMAX has proven to be reliable and provides good scanners, though it appears the small one that I have (Astra 4450, 9" v 11" scanbed, 1200x2400dpi(9600x9600)) is only available as refurbished (which still works as great as a new one) for $30 from their website.

I also have one of their large scanbed Powerlooks, but those are MUCH pricier, and you really do need to make space for one, as once you pick a spot for it, it's gonna stay put. The Astra is actually light enough to be able to move about if you need it.

[Eclipse]

we got some epson GT-10000 series like a like a GT-15000 and what not at school, these things can scan gigantar paper because of the scanners size, however when the day is done if you're drawing on A4 or smaller, an HP photosmart gets the job done by the time you get done cleaning up in photoshop anyway, because even with a super expensive scanner like at school I'm still live tracing, photoshop tracing with pen or brush, or whatever to fix lines.

just my 2 cents, an all in one also brings high quality print so, thats an idea.

[DerMonkey]

i recently bought the canon lide 600f, which is pretty good for it's price (100 quid)
however, i have problems when i set the colordepth to 16bit.
all that comes out then is a strange color noise.
maybe someone knows about this problem?

i'm running on mac OS 10.5.6
and tested the latest drivers..

here's what it looks like. the white one is a scan with 8bit, so this is what it should be..
and the other one with 16bit.
it's really sad, because i can't get the entire information on the paper into the system :/ a real pitty for linearts and pencildrawings...

//edit: ok so i just tested the scanner with my laptop, which is running on vista, and it works without any problems. so the scanner is fine, just the software is not..
so i have to scan from my laptop and then copy it via usb. cool. -.-

[koshime]

I settled for a new Epson perfection 4490 phote. Scans beautifully and crisp.