Need advice on buying a scanner

[DARISC]

Any recommendations on what 11 x 17 flat bed scanner to buy to scan artwork? I'm looking to spend in the neighborhood of $300. I don't want/need any bells and whistles or bundled image manipulation software.

[stomachmonkey]

Man back in the day I could have told you more than a person needs to know.

I don't think I've actually used a scanner in years.

The UMAX scanners were great back in the day.

I noticed that by and large they have become cheap and light. As in a lot of the metal parts have been replaced by plastic which has a reduced life span.

Interested to see the responses here.

[GH85Carrera]

Epson makes some good scanners as well.

[chuckr]

I service scanners, Kodak, Fujitsu, HP, mostly high speeds.
There are no good 11x17 flatbeds for under 300. Mustek ScanExpress or the A3 at Newegg.com
is the closest I can think of. Good Luck with this

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Epson makes some good scanners as well.

+1

Look at their "Perfection" line (V700 & V750).

[id10t]

Consider the possibility of a mount for a digital camera w/ good lighting.... we rigged one up to "scan" some prints, taking the photos was much easier than doing it w/ scanner...

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by chuckr

I service scanners, Kodak, Fujitsu, HP, mostly high speeds.
There are no good 11x17 flatbeds for under 300. Mustek ScanExpress or the A3 at Newegg.com
is the closest I can think of. Good Luck with this

Great! What better source of info than from one who services them?

I tossed out the $300 figure, aware that it might be wishful thinking.

The A3 looks like it would fit the bill. What would be your pick for a "good" scanner If I spend say, up to $400?

It won't be used in any kind of production scenario, so I don't care about speed (if that's a factor, re price). I'm an artist and wil be using it to eventually scan hundreds of drawings dating back years, after which it will be used only occasionally.

Thanks!

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

+1

Look at their "Perfection" line (V700 & V750).

Nice, but I want 11x17 capability.

Originally Posted by id10t

Consider the possibility of a mount for a digital camera w/ good lighting.... we rigged one up to "scan" some prints, taking the photos was much easier than doing it w/ scanner...

That's what I've been doing using my old Cannon SD450, but I can't leave the setup and positioning/keeping flat the widely varying sizes of the drawings makes it a hassle even with the setup. I'd like to be able to just put a drawing on the scanner, flatten it with the lid and press the button whenever I want.

[chuckr]

I really do not have much to do with the smaller scanners, the scanners I service are very expensive, high speed production type scanners. The flatbeds I do service are the Fujitsu's
and their 11 X 17 is $$$$. That Mustek A3 is the closest I can find that meets your needs.

[masraum]

I'm betting that 11x17 is not cheap. That's double the size of 99% of the consumer models.

You may want to consider a good 8.5x11 and then stitching the images together.

[masraum]

If you check out B&H Photo, and do a search for 11x17 scanner, the cheapest one listed is $1000, and most are +$2k

11x17 scanner

[masraum]

If you go to Google or Amazon, there are a few low end cosumer grade parts that are <$500. How often are you going to need to scan something that large?

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by chuckr

...That Mustek A3 is the closest I can find that meets your needs.

Just pulled the trigger on one at Newegg.

Thousand Shermans (many tanks! ), youse guys!

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by masraum

...How often are you going to need to scan something that large?

The many sketches, drawings, etc. are of varying sizes and aspect ratios, quite a few 11x17 or larger, so I'll still be doing some stitching.

[DARISC]

Recieved my Mustek A3 2400 PRO this afternoon - had it up and running in 20 min. Sure seems to fit the bill so far.