scanner for photos, xrays

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What is the best scanner to do general scanning of photos (b/w and colour) and transparency scanning for xrays.

Price is a real consideration and I have a tight budget.

Any thoughts. I noticed someone mentioned poor quality with the UMAX transparency device. We have an expensive HP at work that is great, but too expensive for me.

Also, how can I jugde the speed of scanning. We have another scanner at work and it is a dog on speed. Oh, it does have a neat quick FAX feature that would be nice for my wife's work issues and she is not computer savvy.

So, quality, speed, price, easy FAX capability.

Thanks.

-- peter j evans (peterjevans@msn.com), March 11, 1999

Answers

Go to http://microtek.com and look at the scanners there. They have some scanners with large transparency adapters - this is what you'll need for those X-rays. The problem is - I bet those X-rays are large. It's possible they are larger then the available lower end scanners.

I might suggest you consider buying a digital camera and a light box - you may be able to justify spending more since you'll have a nice camera too. You'll get superb quality if you do it in a darkened room and properly white balance the camera on the light source prior to exposure. You'd also be able to do pictures with it with some front lights - you might consider a copy stand too. Just a suggestion - one that may not fit your budget though.

You can get a decent camera for around 500, a light box for around 100 and if you want a copy stand with lights that'll run you around 200 dollars. A bit rich, but a very flexible approach to your needs.

Dan Desjardins

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@tek.com), March 17, 1999.


I also scan in X-rays for presentations and such. I use the Acer 620ST with very good results. It handles my scanning needs for under $200 with transperency adapter. I bought a film scanner for photographs. But, the acer does a decent job with photo prints and B/W for presentation graphics. Regular X-rays do not fit on one scan however, so you either have to merge them or just focus on the area you need. If you work where they have the digital film X-rays you are in luck they fit fine.

Bob

-- Bob LaFrance (angieandbob@mediaone.net), April 06, 1999.


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