Separate Printer and Scanner

[Brooklands]

I have had an HP all-in-one that recently stopped powering up, but already the paper feed was shot. I mostly used the flatbed scanner to scan photos, and need to decide what I want for my study in the new house. Has anyone gone the route of a good scanner like the Canon CanoScan 9000F Mk II and a cheap printer only. I can place the printer across the room since I do not use my printer often. If I need something done with quality printing, I can always send it to my wife's printer in her study like I have done since my paper feed stopped feeding paper. Any suggestions either for a reasonably inexpensive printer, or an all-in-one with superior scanning. I have thousands of vintage photos left to scan once we get re-settled. I am using an iMac, but I think most printers and scanners can work with either. I normally use VueScan 9 x64 (9.5.27) as my scanning software. All advice will be appreciated.

 

[Basil]

I just did that exact thing. I have had an Epson RX600 all-in-one for about 15 years. It has been a great printer and scanner but I decided I needed a better scanner - something that was a little faster and also a better printer so I ended up after much research getting an Epson V550 scanner refurbished for about $110. Then, I bought a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer which is primarily a printer geared towards printing photographs. If you're interested in mostly printing paper documents, then that is probably not the printer for you. However, the Epson V550 scanner is terrific.

 

[NutmegCT]

Dave - what are the scanner specs you're looking for? Resolution, 35mm slide capability, negative to positive, etc.

 

[Brooklands]

I am currently scanning mostly prints, but I have tons of slides and negatives for future projects. I have a Minolta Dimage 35mm film and slide scanner which does a great job but is very slow. If I find a flatbed that does film and prints as well as the Minolta, then I can get rid of one more item. I mainly want something that does a great and efficient job on old photographs going back to the turn of the last century as well as snap shots from my lifetime. I currently have been scanning at 1200 dpi for my prints, but may want to do even higher with some.

 

[Basil]

Then I highly recommend you check out the scanner I mentioned previously. Scanning prints, slides and old negatives is what it does. It uses Digital Ice technology on negatives and slides to eliminate dust and scratches. The V550 has the same specs as the newer v600 but at a much lower price.

 

[NutmegCT]

Dave - I think Basil's recommendation sure fits the bill for you.

Tom M.

 

[Sherlock]

I've used Epson scanners for several years, they make an excellent product, I've had an Epson V600 for awhile now, it works reasonably well... Prints go through fast... Negative and slide scanning take longer but that is to be expected...

And I have no experience with Canon scanners to comment, but I think they are good...

 

[Brooklands]

Thanks for the help Tom, Basil, and Sherlock...

I will make my choice soon and let you know how it all works out. We settled on the new home yesterday afternoon, and starting taking boxes of "stuff" there last evening. I will be doing lots of trips over the next few days, and the moving van will finish the job for us at the end of next week. After we are set up a bit, I will order my new equipment.

 

[martx-5]

I bought an refurbished Epson V700 scanner from Epson with the same warranty as a new unit. Excellent scanner. I went with the V700 because I have a lot of large format negatives (4x5 and 8x10), along with 35mm slides. It has ICE tech in the provided software, but I don't use it as I prefer to use Photoshop for that work. The Photoshop software came free with the scanner BTW. Usually you can save about 1/3 on the cost of an Epson refurbished product. I also got a refurbished Epson Artisan 1430 printer from them. It will do anything up to 13"x19".

 

[DrEntropy]

About the only photo gear I should spend money on would be a scanner for transparencies. It would need to accommodate all sizes, from 35mm to large format. All I have now is a 35mm-only film scanner.
It would be a HUGE project to even just scan the 35mm images here. Hundreds of thousands of negs & transparencies. Even thinking about it has me wanting to throw my hands in the air and run away screaming like a six-year-old.

 

[Brooklands]

I have albums of old photos of my family taken by the family and others. I am trying to have high quality files of these photographs in case we ever have a disaster. As they are scanned, the are all stored online and on two hard drives. Thanks to all for the continued advice...