I am going to digitize several thousand photos my family has in albums. Obviously I could pay for a service to do this, but I want control over the process and I can do it much cheaper, and better, myself. I have been able to track down only 2 scanners with an automatic photo feeder:
1) The Epson Perfection 2480 PHOTO (~$130, although it's discontinued) with an Multi Photo / Business Card Feeder ($150). Total is $280. The scanner is an old, entry level model and scans quite slowly according to many amazon reviews.
2. The HP Scanjet 5530 Photosmart ($280, but I've seen it cheaper other places). This is also discontinued, it seems to be from early 2004. Again, it's old and doesn't seem like that great of a scanner to begin with.
3) Professional photo scanners for thousands of dollars. This is not an option, I'm on a budget. I couldn't believe the lady I talked to at Epson actually recommended some machine to me that was $2999.99 ... thanks, but are you insane?!
Seriously, where is a reasonably priced photo scanner with an automatic photo feeder? I couldn't believe all the forums I read of people spending months scanning all their old photos by hand on a flatbed scanner. I'm also dumbfounded that companies are making these fantastic photo scanners with no form of automation at all. They could make a photo feeder for my HP all-in-one for like 50 bucks and it would do a great job. But no; they want you to drop a small fortune on a pro machine.
Are there no modern photo scanners with a photo feeder (not a document feeder)? Did they discontinue making them to force you to pay some company to do it for you? For the love of kittens, please help me.
1) The Epson Perfection 2480 PHOTO (~$130, although it's discontinued) with an Multi Photo / Business Card Feeder ($150). Total is $280. The scanner is an old, entry level model and scans quite slowly according to many amazon reviews.
2. The HP Scanjet 5530 Photosmart ($280, but I've seen it cheaper other places). This is also discontinued, it seems to be from early 2004. Again, it's old and doesn't seem like that great of a scanner to begin with.
3) Professional photo scanners for thousands of dollars. This is not an option, I'm on a budget. I couldn't believe the lady I talked to at Epson actually recommended some machine to me that was $2999.99 ... thanks, but are you insane?!
Seriously, where is a reasonably priced photo scanner with an automatic photo feeder? I couldn't believe all the forums I read of people spending months scanning all their old photos by hand on a flatbed scanner. I'm also dumbfounded that companies are making these fantastic photo scanners with no form of automation at all. They could make a photo feeder for my HP all-in-one for like 50 bucks and it would do a great job. But no; they want you to drop a small fortune on a pro machine.
Are there no modern photo scanners with a photo feeder (not a document feeder)? Did they discontinue making them to force you to pay some company to do it for you? For the love of kittens, please help me.