Good basic scanner for drawings and design work?

[Rychy]

I'm just looking for a pretty basic scanner. I want to be able to scan my sketches and color drawings (Copic markers), and then some miscellaneous things like scanning objects (or whatever) to make textures, backgrounds, or objects for vector tracing for design work.

I won't be scanning old photos or scanning negatives... actual photos aren't a big deal for my purposes.

Under $200, but cheaper would be ideal. I don't need bells and whistles, just good images. Thanks for any help!

Oh, I also hear VueScan is good scanner software, correct?

 

[Blue Velvet]

Canon 8800F, can't go wrong. Provided software/TWAIN plugins still run on Leopard. Super-fast startup too.

 

[Rychy]

I was looking at the 9000F which appears to be the newer version of the 8800F... looks good.

 

[MisterMe]

...

Oh, I also hear VueScan is good scanner software, correct?

You need VueScan only for those scanners that no longer have manufacturer support. If the manufacturer provides a TWAIN driver, then you may use MacOS X's Image Capture or any TWAIN-compatible third-party graphics editor such as GraphicConverter, Photoshop, or Photoshop Elements.

As for you specifications, you really need to think about how you are going to use your scanner. I have had two experiences with new equipment. One, I find that my imagined needs prior to purchase fade and vanish after the purchase. The other is that I find so many unanticipated uses for the equipment that I purchased less than I needed.

One of the most popular if not the most popular uses of a scanner is to digitally archive paper. If your needs include legal documents, then you may need a scanner than can handle legal-size paper. You may find that you want to archive double-sided documents.