ScanMy.Family Wiki

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===== Flatbed Scanners =====

==== Main Requirements ====

For photo prints, choose a flatbed scanner, preferably with the following features:

  * At least **1200 dpi** (dots per inch) optical resolution. //Even cheap scanners support 1200 dpi.//
  * At least [[48-bit color|48-bits per pixel external color bit depth]]. //Cheap scanners do not support 48 bits **externally**, they only support it **internally**.//
  * **Internal RAW handling**. Some scanners handle images as JPEG internally, defeating the purpose of [[RAW]] scans.
  * Supports VueScan's [[https://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/html/vuesc29.htm#inputshowtexture|Show Texture]](([[https://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/html/vuesc29.htm#inputshowtexture]])) option.

<WRAP important>
Do **not** use a sheetfed scanner or document loader as **it may scratch or tear the photo**, and the **[[https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/9o7tda/large_collection_of_print_photos_i_need_to_create/e7u8l50/|image quality is noticeable worse]](([[https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/9o7tda/large_collection_of_print_photos_i_need_to_create/e7u8l50/]]))**. See {{:lkldzp7.jpg?linkonly|this photo}} for a visual comparison. See [[comparison of scanner types]] for more information.
</WRAP>

<WRAP info>
Even if your scanner does not meet all of the above requirements, **don't let that stop you.** Your photos are **slowly deteriorating** so it's important to **preserve them as well as you can, as quickly as possible**.
</WRAP>
==== CIS vs. CCD ====

The least expensive scanners have a Contact Imaging Sensor (**CIS**). This has the least distortion and therefore provides good results for smooth, untextured photos.

If you need to scan something that won't lay flat on the scan bed, such as a photo album page that's too big for the scanner, then choose a scanner with a Charge Coupled Device (**CCD**) sensor. This prevents **pixellation artifacts** when the item is not laid flat on the scanner. The disadvantage of CCD scanners is that the lens can cause minor distortion in scans(([[https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/dimensional-scanner-distortion.2172490/#post-36983732]]))(([[https://www.imageaccess.de/?page=WhitePapersCCDOrCIS&lang=en]])).

==== Show Texture ====

A scanner that supports VueScan's "Show Texture" feature, when the feature is turned off, illuminates the photo from multiple angles to reduce shadows caused by textured photo paper.
==== The Finalists ====

  * [[https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/scanners/photo-scanner/canoscan-lide-220|Canon LiDE 220]](([[https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/scanners/photo-scanner/canoscan-lide-220]])) ($90, CIS)
  * [[https://epson.com/For-Home/Scanners/Photo-Scanners/Epson-Perfection-V600-Photo-Scanner/p/B11B198011|Epson Perfection V600]](([[https://epson.com/For-Home/Scanners/Photo-Scanners/Epson-Perfection-V600-Photo-Scanner/p/B11B198011]])) ($220, CCD)

==== Testing Your Scanner ====

After purchasing your scanner, do a scan with nothing in the scanner, boost the contrast, and check for anomolies such as vertical colored lines(([[https://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/83820/what-are-these-lines-of-colour-on-my-epson-perfection-v370-scans]])).