Scanner questions (for photographs)

sofakng wrote on 9/15/2003, 12:26 AM

I'm creating a slideshow of still pictures and I'm using my scanner to scan in 95% of the photographs.

However, I'm wondering if my current scanner will be OK or if I should get a newer scanner.

The scanner I have right now is the HP ScanJet 3500C. I thought I read somewhere that it only scans up to 1200x1200 dpi.

Is this sufficient? My end media will be a VHS tape so I'm not looking to get DVD-quality scans or anything.

Also, does anybody have any scanning tips for me? I've searched and I saw the one thread about using a 1.3333:1 ratio for the pictures, but I'm not sure what that referred to so I'll have to re-read it.

I am wondering about the DPI though and how exactly I should scan the pictures in. Right now I'm using 200 DPI (if I raise the DPI the scanner takes ***forever***) and the HP scanning software to auto-adjust the color levels and brightness/contrast.

Should I use a different program to scan the pictures in? Any programs that will automatically adjust the pictures so I get the best quality possible?

Should I get a new scanner? Will it be worth it?

Should I be using a different application to scan the pictures in?

Any help is greatly appriciated. I'm really hoping this slideshow comes out as good as possible (it's an anniversary gift)...

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sofakng wrote on 9/18/2003, 12:12 PM

Looks good John!

Thank you VERY much for all your help.

I completely understand the idea of DPI and how it relates to NTSC. However I'm really not sure how much zooming I will be doing on my pictures. I've actually been holding off on starting my project until I figure out how I'm going to scan my images.

Should I just scan all my images at 300 DPI and use that no matter how much I'm zooming? All of my images will contain at least a little zooming.

Also, do you recommend any programs for batch scanning? I have around 100 pictures and doing each one individually is a bit of a pain. Although, my scanner doesn't detect the picture size exactly so I end up adjusting it anyways.

Thanks again for all your help.

randy-stewart wrote on 9/18/2003, 12:48 PM

Sofakng,

One thing I do when scanning is to select the scan area during pre-scan (I use the box or frame tool). I can eliminate the white or uneven edges and cut down on the total picture size this way (useful if I only want one picture on a page with many). I use 300 dpi as a general rule, but after learning things from this thread, I'll probably drop that for larger pictures. I also touch up pictures (in Photoshop 7) to get rid of folds, blemishes, too light, too dark, etc., so that when I bring it into Vegas, I don't have to adjust much while editing. Hope this help.

For all contributors to this thread, many, many thanks. The info being passed on is golden and helps me tremendously.

Aloha,
Randy

johnmeyer wrote on 9/18/2003, 12:51 PM

Should I just scan all my images at 300 DPI and use that no matter how much I'm zooming? All of my images will contain at least a little zooming.

I think I answered this in the previous post. It all depends on how much zooming you are doing, and how big the original is. If you have an 8x10 photo, and you scan at 300 dpi, you have tons of pixels to play with and you can zoom in a long way. If you start with a wallet photo, scan at 300 dpi, and then zoom in to only show 1/4 or less of the picture, you won't be happy with the result.

Also, do you recommend any programs for batch scanning?
Vuescan. It's the only way to go. A geeky interface, but very fast, and you get excellent scans. Get it here:

VueScan

Mandk wrote on 9/18/2003, 12:53 PM

I use vuescan in conjunction with my auto feed HP5500C ( I believe that is the model number). Works great and with little involvement during the scanning phase.

sofakng wrote on 9/18/2003, 2:11 PM

Sorry, you're right. What I should have asked was this: What would you do if you had a bunch of 4x6 pictures and you were not sure how much zooming you planned to do?

I know that if I use 300 DPI (with at 4x6 picture), that will give me 1200 x 1800 pixels. If I wanted a full-screen view of the picture, that would require 720 x 486 pixels.

So, if I zoom in 2x I will need 1440 x 972 pixels. If the picture is scanned horizontally, I will end up being short of pixels (1440 required, 1200 in picture). So, it will look a little pixelated. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Now, I'm assuming I have to judge, roughly, how much "50%" zoom would be. It seems like that would be a pretty far zoom.

So with all that said. If you were scanning in a bunch of 4x6 inch pictures, and you planned on zooming, but didn't know how much. Would it be better to re-scan any picture that I feel I'm zooming to far? Or, would it be safe to assume that 1200x1800 pixels is enough for almost any type of (reasonable) zoom.

Thanks again. You have been so incredibly helpful.

johnmeyer wrote on 9/18/2003, 4:07 PM

1200x1800 will be plenty for just about anything, plus it is a good resolution for archiving.

sofakng wrote on 9/18/2003, 9:40 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I checked out VueScan and it doesn't support my HP 3500C. I've also checked SilverFast and it doesn't support the 3500C either.

I guess my only option is the garbage software that it comes with and scan all my pictures one a a time.

Thanks for the help though!

TorS wrote on 9/19/2003, 2:04 AM

John Meyer,
The candles example was delightful. I'm sure you added a blowing sound as well, to further the "live" appearance?
Tor

jerryd wrote on 9/20/2003, 5:10 AM

Allow me to throw in another suggestion for those of you who do a lot of slideshows. I have been producing "memory videos" for over 10 years professionally, and have tried dozens of techniques. The very fastest and best system I have come up with is to use one of the new digital SLR's, such as Canon 10D, on a copy stand. Set resolution to medium fine. I shot 200 photos yesterday morning and had the jpegs ready to drop on the Vegas timeline in 30 minutes. Scanning would have taken hours. If you have really small photos (wallets or smaller), you may want to change the resolution to large, but with 4x6's and up, medium fine produces jpegs that can be zoomed just about as far as you would want to go.

jsteehl wrote on 9/20/2003, 7:05 AM

Wow 10 years! I've been doing them for 10 days :) Any chance of showing us some examples of you fine work. I'm always looking for new ways impress the family.

-Jason S