Scanner wanted, mainly for slides

[raywj]

I have been slowly scanning slides one by one on an old Epson Perection 1240U, so it is time I bought a new one for faster action. But which? My nearest Epson Express centre told me the Perfection 3170 would scan 12 slides at once, but none of the descriptions and reviews I have seen bears this out. They say four. Now there is a new scanner called the Perfection 3590, costing far less than the 3170, which also takes four slides, and I can't see any difference between them apart from the price.

I use Photoshop to import Twain and want to go on doing that. I think this limits me to Epson, doesn't it?

[insertcg]

You are not limited to Epson becuase of TWAIN if that is what your asking. TWAIN connects the peripherals to the imaging application. IT is an acronym for technology without an interesting name. So any device not only epson will work for you.

[raywj]

Originally Posted by insertcg

You are not limited to Epson becuase of TWAIN if that is what your asking. TWAIN connects the peripherals to the imaging application. IT is an acronym for technology without an interesting name. So any device not only epson will work for you.

Thanks. Now I know. I am still puzzled, though, because my version of Photoshop (7) doesn't offer to import any old Twain, but specifically "Epson Twain 5".

The main question I intended to ask was - if you had to scan a few hundred old slides, what scanner would you choose to do it with.

[raywj]

Interesting. Now I know. But my version of Photoshop (7) does not offer to import any old Twain, but specifically "Epson Twain 5".

What I really wanted to asdk was - if you had to scan a few hundred old slides, what scanner would you choose?

[s7p9a2m4]

I scanned a couple of hundred old photos with an Epson Perfection 1650 with good results.
The updated 1660 would be a better choice.

The Perfection scanners are office grade and built to last.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,106088,00.asp

[bkroczak]

After very light usage for a couple of years the bulb has burned out on my scanner. This is very disappointing.

What is even more disappointing is that Epson are unable to give me instructions on how to change the bulb.

Does anyone know? It's not in the instructions that came with the scanner either...

I don't really want to pay a service center $80 or $100 to change a bulb!

[bkroczak]

I just spoke to a Tech and it turns out it's not as simple as changing the bulb.

If the bulb cartridge needs to be replaced the cost will be $200 - more than I paid for the scanner.

If I'm luck it's one of the boards that provides power - more like $70.

After 1.5 years of very light usage it's VERY disappointing - so much for "office grade"!

I only scanned about 50 slides before the light stopped working... Certainly not worth the money in my mind.