My sense is that I can either use a scanner--in which case I'd like to know if it matters much if I use a high end scanner or not--or I could use a professional service, in which case I'd appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!
2007-01-17 06:32:56 · 8 answers · asked by Curious99 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
The quality between what you would get from most services and home scanning is about the same although there are services(the real expensive ones which give better scans, some use a digital camera instead of a scanner)
Personnaly if it was my photos I would set up my tripod and create some good lighting without shadows or reflections on the pictures(outside would work as long as you could avoid reflections try slightly cloudy day and don't forget to secure the photos to keep them from blowing away) and take pictures of the photos with each of the photos taking up an entire frame this would provide exellentability to reprint. Its the same method used by historians to digitize priceless books and photos.
If I didn't have a good camera set up I would use the highest setting on my scanner. If I was going to buy a scanner I would try to get the best scanning resolution I could in my price range. 250 photos would cost too much to have done proffessionally at least in a way that would be better than a home scanner would give.
Note many places simply use a similar scanner to one you can get at home if you decide to get it done proffessionally ask how they do it and what kind of resolutions they provide so you can get the results you want.
2007-01-17 07:38:52 · answer #1 · answered by c m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using a scanner is certainly the most inexpensive way to do this. It doesn't require a high-end scanner to do this, so don't spend a whole lot on one. They are great to have regardless - long after you've scanned your photos you'll find uses for it!
The most important thing to remember when scanning your own photos is to choose an appropriate resolution - if your intent is to keep a digitized library of valued photos, definitely use a high resolution (your scanner will help you set this). If you want to email the photos, you can use a much lower resolution.
Good luck, and have fun!!
2007-01-17 15:31:58 · answer #2 · answered by lisa_tilton 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends, do you know your scanner inside and out?
If you don't know how to scan high quality then your pics might not be as good as though if you hired a professional service. If you do use a scanner then get a high quality one so your pics turn out great and if you do go to scan make sure your scanner is on high quality and not on regular. Most scanners that I've delt with have a regular scan mode, or a high quality mode. It depends on the scanner.
2007-01-17 14:38:50 · answer #3 · answered by Dave Grohl Wanna Be!!!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A professional service will give the best results, but it will be rather expensive. They will probably use a scanner and the only difference between what they can do and what you can do yourself is the quality of the equipment and any digital touch up done after the fact.
Unless you get a really crappy one, most commercial flat bed scanners will give you pretty darned good results.
2007-01-17 14:37:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend scanning in at between 250-300 dpi. That way, you should be able to get them printed again without being able to notice too much that they are copies. If you have a half way decent scanner, use it. If not, try a professional or go to Wal-mart or some other store that has a photo center. Shop around.
2007-01-17 14:37:13 · answer #5 · answered by Militant Agnostic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi.
first off that's alot of photos.
OK so this is what i have to say.
go to the various stores in your area and try out all the scanners
from the cheap to the expensive ones, try them all out.
see what works best on/for/compatible with your model PCs and operating system. and if you need any software to edit the photos
like photoshop or something similar.
2ND: if still not sure and you really don't have time to do all 250
check into using a service like Kinko's , have your photos put on
a cd or a dvd.
depends on what you like or can afford, or have the time to do the work.
also a up side to having a pro put good images to a disc is you can make copies
like cd to cd or dvd to dvd and mail the disc(s) to family
i'm sure they would love that. especially if they have a dvd player
and they can see the photos on tv via player. :)
my 2 cents.
2007-01-17 14:48:24 · answer #6 · answered by gto286 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well... I think the cost of a professional would pay for the scanner. I would definately invest in a scanner, and do them yourself. Photoshop would also be a wise investment.
2007-01-17 14:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by ઈтєlly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought a canon 4 in 1 it scans ,copy's prints and fax u can put your cards into it and it has a LCD so u can see your pics it was under $150 I scanned pics they turned out great
2007-01-17 15:35:09 · answer #8 · answered by sonoftazont 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋