Digitizing old photo questions?

Question

I plan on digitizing all my old photos and bought a scanner (Canon CanoScan LiDE 25) that is capable of 1200 x 2400 DPI. I was wondering how does this relate to printing? If I ever have to re-print what size is this DPI capable of? 4x6 etc...I would like a good quality to preserve them...Should I invest in a better scanner?

Answer 1

1200x2400 dpi scanning is fine. Most printers only do 600x600 dpi anyway. More importantly are other factors actually:



1. Color-depth -- 48-bit is preferable.



2. Dust. After doing a few scans, you'll find out that dust is a MAJOR problem. You need a scanner with Digital ICE -- special software in the scanner which removes it. Scans are slower, but it's better than Photoshopping every darn photo scanned in.



Sorry, your $50 scanner won't cut it. You need to invest a few hundred dollars in a good Epson or Microtek scanner. I own a $500 Epson scanner myself.



Google "scanner buyer's guide" and read up for yourself.

Answer 2

Nothing wrong with 1200 x 2400. The lide 25 is a cheaper model though. 1200 x 2400 is quite high in the resolution though. I'm not sure of the depth it can go to though. If you want to preserve the best quality I suggest running the scanner at maximum quality and maximum colors.

Answer 3

Just to get some photos digitized last year I bought a NEW Brother MFC 3240C multi-function machine,(sheet fed-scanner, printer, copier, fax machine), off of EBay for around $79 plus shipping. This still had the color cartridges in their foil wrappers, the software, and a instruction booklet that looked like a small telephone book! It scans, then I print them out from my computer to lifelike photos. The largest I have printed out is 8-1/2 inches by 11inches,(Zat big enough?), but you can use a photo editing image program,(I use Photoshop 7, they've got that on EBay, brand new, inbox, for around $149.00), and slice your photo up, and make it poster size,(takes a FEW 8-1/2x11 pieces of photo paper)