High-Quality Flatbed Scanners for Mac: Do They Exist?

[multiforce]

Hey everyone-

this is actually my first post here, so, hi. I recently purchased a Macbook Pro, and I've been looking around for a good-quality, flatbed scanner for it that will be capable of uploading some images and scans of objects to work with in photoshop. I make screenprints and stencils, and scanning has become an important part of the art I make. I've always has access to flashy art facilities and collectives that had zillions of dollars worth of high-end equipment, but I just built my own studio, and I need one for less than, say, $400, for individual use. Which I think is still a lot of budget for a scanner!

So far, I have seen very few reviews that don't discuss the scanner-in-question's software incompatibilities with Snow Leopard. Epson seems to be well-respected for picture quality, but when it comes to operation inside the mac universe, it's a problem. Canon gets the same rap, although less so. The scanners offered of the Apple Store website all seem to be lower-grade, and people have complained about compatibility issues in the reviews there.

Is anyone aware of a good-quality scanner for Mac that works SMOOTHLY with the software?!

That would be a huge help!!

best,
Multiforce.

NOTE: This is a repost from the Buying Tips forum, but I thought I might have better luck here.

 

[KeriJane]

Hi Multiforce.
Welcome to the Forum!

My inexpensive Canon 4400F does OK under Snow Leopard. Canon had drivers for SL quickly, but the TWAIN driver doesn't play nice.

Scanning directly to Photoshop doesn't work because of this.
You have to use Image Capture to capture the image then open it in Photoshop.
Otherwise, it's an OK scanner that does slides and negatives decently. Though only a few at a time.

Someday I'm going to get an expensive scanner to replace my now-departed triple-pass scanner from way long ago. That thing made magnificient scans though it needed a SCSI card.

This Canon Scanner has been better overall than the Visiontek, Epson and HP scanners I've used since the Mustek days so I'll probably go with Canon when it's time to upgrade.

Have Fun,
Keri

 

[THX1139]

Of course they exist! Take a look at the Epson V500 Photo. Great decently priced mid-range scanner. Need more features and quality... then expect to pay a lot more. Price is relative. You don't say much about what your final output is going to be, but I'm sure the Epson will meet your needs.

 

[mperkins37]

My epson Perfection 2450 runs perfectly on SL, I use the Setup in printer prefs to set it up.
It doesnt work with the twain plugin, so scan & import into Photoshop.

 

[multiforce]

Thank you all very much! It sounds like Epson is a trusted brand, and from what else I've learned, you can solve the problem with the software by downloading the Snow Leopard driver directly from the Epson website instead of installing what comes with the install CD.

AWESOME! Thanks again, that's great help

 

[Mugwumper]

+1 V500

Hey everyone-

this is actually my first post here, so, hi. I recently purchased a Macbook Pro, and I've been looking around for a good-quality, flatbed scanner for it that will be capable of uploading some images and scans of objects to work with in photoshop. I make screenprints and stencils, and scanning has become an important part of the art I make. I've always has access to flashy art facilities and collectives that had zillions of dollars worth of high-end equipment, but I just built my own studio, and I need one for less than, say, $400, for individual use. Which I think is still a lot of budget for a scanner!

So far, I have seen very few reviews that don't discuss the scanner-in-question's software incompatibilities with Snow Leopard. Epson seems to be well-respected for picture quality, but when it comes to operation inside the mac universe, it's a problem. Canon gets the same rap, although less so. The scanners offered of the Apple Store website all seem to be lower-grade, and people have complained about compatibility issues in the reviews there.

Is anyone aware of a good-quality scanner for Mac that works SMOOTHLY with the software?!

That would be a huge help!!

best,
Multiforce.

NOTE: This is a repost from the Buying Tips forum, but I thought I might have better luck here.

As noted by another poster, the Epson V500 is a good solution. I had the
Canon LiDE 200, which works fine - the problem is that (in my case) wake
from sleep somehow trashes the scanner driver, and the only solution is a
reboot. :^( I suspect this has something to do with the fact that the
scanner is USB-only - there is no separate power connection.

I got the V500 Photo (although don't need it for scanning photos) that was
on sale for only about $50 more than the Canon. So far (one month), no
problems with wake from sleep, it's faster and quieter than the Canon, and
works fine with Hamrick's VueScan (highly recommended).

Hope this helps . . .

 

[Jim Campbell]

I think it's worth mentioning that someone with a moderate amount of scanning experience will get acceptable results out of a £100 scanner, where someone with relatively little scanning ability will get less satisfactory scans out of a £1500 scanner.

I have an Epson Photo Perfection that serves perfectly well, and I've used a Canon LIDE and found that quite acceptable, too, so I'd advise against dropping a significant wedge of cash on any particular brand of scanner, TBH.

Cheers!

Jim

 

[carlgo]

Apple and Canon both released new drivers for the Lide line at least. My old and really cheap 50 model, I guess because it cost all of $49.95, now works just fine after the download.

I am not a scanning pro, but I don't think you need anything too fancy to scan solid graphics, especially when you are doing one at a time, patient work as you seem to be doing. I think scanning slides and negatives is where you need a lot of capability. Maybe you could experiment before getting too spendy.

 

[covisio]

I don't do a great deal of scanning, but I use a budget Epson 2480 flatbed and VueScan Pro. I calibrated the system using a Wolf Faust target purchased for 10 euros from www.coloraid.de. It all works just fine.
I initially had one of those really thin Canon LiDE USB scanners but couldn't get a decent scan out of it. Took it back and got the Epson.

 

[mmmustard]

scanners

I have an Epson Perfection scanner with excellent software on a PC. I scan there and email the image to my mac. There is software to use with it for the mac but the software is terrible. I hate this problem!

 

[MisterMe]

I have an Epson Perfection scanner with excellent software on a PC. I scan there and email the image to my mac. There is software to use with it for the mac but the software is terrible. I hate this problem!

When discussing peripherals, always give the specific [Epson Perfection] model. If you want help, then this information can be used to determine the help that is available. If you just want to complain, then you are on the right course.