Do I need to replace my Epson Perfection 2400 for scanning old photos and 5x7 prints?
Asked 3/7/2011
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2 answers
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I currently use an Epson Perfection 2400 Photo to scan old photographs and 5x7 art prints. I’m comparing newer Epson flatbeds like the V33 and V500, but I’m not sure whether the higher-end models would meaningfully improve my scans. I don’t need film scanning unless it would be useful later. For photo prints and art prints, is a newer scanner actually worth buying, or is my current 2400 already sufficient unless I need features like slide/negative scanning or newer software support?
Originally by user4187. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4187
15y ago
2 Answers
2
How often do you scan at 2400x4800 DPI? My guess is that you don't -- ever, for any practical purpose. The simple fact is that virtually no input contains anywhere close to that fine of detail. Most photographic prints, for example, are only good for around 300 DPI at most (and 150-200 is more realistic in most cases).
Unless you're really using the highest resolution of which your current scanner is capable, you're unlikely to gain much (if anything) by buying a newer scanner.
I suppose, however, I should add that I'm on only my second scanner ever. When I did replace my old one, it wasn't for higher resolution -- it was simply because the company that made it no longer provides drivers. While the scanner was/is perfectly good, it wasn't good enough to convince me to run Windows 2000 or MacOS 9 for the rest of my life.
Originally by user603. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user603
15y ago
0
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For scanning old photo prints and 5x7 art prints, your Epson 2400 is probably already sufficient. Print scans usually don’t contain enough real detail to benefit from very high scanner resolutions; around 300 dpi is typically enough for photographic prints, and even 150–200 dpi is often realistic. That means newer models with higher advertised dpi may not give you noticeably better results for your stated use.
A newer scanner is mainly worth it if you need one of these:
- scanning slides or negatives
- updated software/driver support
- features like ICE/FARE dust removal
- replacement because of lamp, motor, or scratched glass issues
If your current scanner still works well and has usable software support, upgrading just for more resolution is unlikely to help much. If software is the problem, third-party scanning software like VueScan may extend the life of your existing scanner.
In short: for prints, keep the 2400 unless you need film capability, better software/features, or your current unit is failing.
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