I am in the next couple of weeks going to be purchasing a scanner for the high school in which I work. We will be using it mainly for building web pages, but for documents and other things as well. The scanner we have now works but it is extremely slow. I need some advice from someone who knows about scanners. My most important features are speed and durability. We will be scanning a lot of images for our web sites. Also, the picture quality needs to be pretty good as well. We can go up to about $700. I would like to get the fastest, best quality scanner for our money. Thanks for any help anyone sends my way.

-- John VanMeter (jvanmete@metcalfe.k12.ky.us), August 11, 2000

Answers

you're going to be out of luck on the scanner speed issue probably. I run several high end flatbed and negative scanners and they are no speed demons. You really shouldn't have any durability problems with whichever scanner you choose. Check the Linocolor Saphir--I understand the prices have decreased, but they still might be outside of your price range. Whatever you choose, be sure that you have the latest drivers, and check the manufacturers web site often for updated drivers.

-- fred (fdeaton@hiwaay.net), August 11, 2000.

Finding a fast scanner is not a simple thing. They aren't meant to be fast, they're meant to be extremely accurate in positioning the sensor.

I'm going to go a bit off topic and suggest that if it's just for web use, and you already have a scanner, why not consider an inexpensive copy stand and a digital camera? You can just position the photos or whatever under the camera in the stand and snap a shot. A 2 megapixel unit will easily produce larger images than most anyone would expect to use as the primary images on a web site... :-) With a digicam with a USB connection you could leave it connected up to a computer and just download images as you go. Some models allow you to control most or all of the process right from the computer. 2MP digicams with a 2 second shot to shot time are readily available. If you have anything that must be scanned at a higher resolution that you can get with the digital camera because of the larger size of the object you still have the present scanner.

When it wasn't being used as a "scanner" the digicam could also be used by school newspaper contributors for events or candids photography. It'd be a great way for kids to pick up several new skills that might benefit them later.

How's that for a slightly skewed answer to your problems? :-)

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@surferz.net), August 11, 2000.

The epson perfection 1600 seems to be a fairly good scanner for the money, however it may be just out of your price range. The resolution and dynamic range are suitable for negatives, especially medium format and the output is quite good. Worth checking out

Jonathan

-- Jonathan Ratzlaff (jonathanr@clrtech.com), August 11, 2000.

Check out the UMAX Powerlook III, I know there was a recent price drop and you should be able to find one for about that price. It's the same mechanicals as the Linocolor Saphir but without the higher end software.

-- Cris Daniels (danfla@gte.net), August 12, 2000.

I work with many schools in the area and if you have a computer dealer in the area you will get special pricing, Fijitsu is a very duarable and fast scanner a local dealer would be happy to help you out or if you would like I can help you out too, I am also a fijitsu, minolta, and many many more product line dealer. Always get at least 3 bids, not only does it give you the best pricing but also it will let you know who is really willing to work with you.

-- Kristiana H. (khighfield@cdsofficetech.com), March 30, 2001.