Hey Scanner Companies, Here's An Opportunity For You

[Jason Dunn]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1288928380.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>I've owned a flatbed scanner &nbsp;for as long as I can remember; I think my first one was in the mid-'90s, a Mustek if memory serves. It was a tank of a scanner, but for the time, it did a pretty good job. Before that, I owned a&nbsp;grey-scale&nbsp;hand scanner - anyone remember those? You'd have to slowly, and steadily, drag it over the object you wanted to scan. If you twitched, you'd screw up the scan. Now, in 2010, even though I have a multi-function printer/scanner/fax machine, I still own a dedicated flatbed scanner - an <a href="http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/sm/WF06a/15179-15179-64195-3445112-3445112-3236371.html" target="_blank">HP Scanjet G4050</a> - because quality scanning is important to me. <MORE /></p><p>But here's the problem: it seems impossible to find a scanner that's larger than 8.5 inches by 12 inches. It's like the companies making these scanners for consumers can't conceive of anyone wanting to scan anything larger than a sheet of paper. For most people, that's true, but there have been several times over the past year that I've needed to scan newspaper articles, old documents, and other items that were wider than 8.5 inches, and larger than 12 inches. 11" x 17" scanners exist, <a href="http://www.scanstore.com/Specials/11x17_flatbeds.asp" target="_blank">but they cost several thousands of dollars</a>.</p><p>In the brutally commoditized world of flatbed scanners, where prices are in the $50 to $60 range to start, why isn't there a scanner OEM that's willing to create a scanner, using consumer-level technologies, that's appropriate for scanning large items? I think a 12" by 12" scanner would be excellent, or even a 15" x 15" scanner. Yes, a device like that is fairly sizeable, but for a certain segment of people, such a device would be extremely useful. I'd personally be willing to pay $300 or $400 for a scanner like that - but no one seems to make one. Why not?</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

You may disagree about the scan quality, but I think it is pretty good.

http://www.brother-usa.com/MFC/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=MFC6490CW

[Jason Dunn]

You may disagree about the scan quality, but I think it is pretty good.

http://www.brother-usa.com/MFC/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=MFC6490CW

Hmm. Interesting. My all in one scanner is only 8.5 inches by 11"...it's pretty impressive that the brother does 11" x 17" at that price point. I haven't owned a Brother printer in years, but don't tend to think of them as being a top-tier brand in terms of quality, so I'm iffy on how good of a scanner it would be. Still, thanks for pointing me in this direction - at least it's an option!

[Sven Johannsen]

I have this one, and a smaller brother of this Brother. I've been pleased with the scanning I've done on it. I know you are way more of a photographer than I, so any review I would provide is suspect. I could scan something an stick it in dropboxor somewhere for you. Don't know if you need the original to compare or can make some assessments from the product.

P.S. you know my e-mail, you can ping me direct if you are interested.

[Jason Dunn]

I have this one, and a smaller brother of this Brother. I've been pleased with the scanning I've done on it. I know you are way more of a photographer than I, so any review I would provide is suspect. I could scan something an stick it in dropboxor somewhere for you. Don't know if you need the original to compare or can make some assessments from the product.

I definitely appreciate the offer, but yeah, it's hard to judge the quality of a scan without seeing what the original physical object looks like. No worries, if I decide to go this route I'll just buy it from a store that has a good return policy in case I'm not happy with it. ;)

I'd really like one though that's 12" wide, if not a bit wider. :(

[Sven Johannsen]

I'd really like one though that's 12" wide, if not a bit wider. :(
That's gonna a be a few more $$$, but maybe you are looking at it wrong...This one is 17" wide :D

[Jason Dunn]

That's gonna a be a few more $$$, but maybe you are looking at it wrong...This one is 17" wide :D

Hah, yeah, but I'd love a square scanner - so 12" x 12" or 15" x 15"...think scanning a newspaper page, a big document, etc.

[ptyork]

Hah, yeah, but I'd love a square scanner - so 12" x 12" or 15" x 15"...think scanning a newspaper page, a big document, etc.

Any reason you wouldn't consider pairing your D300 with something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VDNP3O/ref=asc_df_B001VDNP3O1299298?smid=AE78PB5T4N73S&tag=nextagusmp0357673-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B001VDNP3O

Toss on your nifty-fifty to get the sharpest photos possible and go to town. Plus you get the benefit of getting to use it for non-flat stuff. Maybe even some unboxings. :)

[Jason Dunn]

Any reason you wouldn't consider pairing your D300 with something like this...

Interesting, but ultimately too much work IMO - I want to flip a switch, press a button, and get a scan. That rig would be cool for product photos, but too much work for day to day scanning.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Sure, when you get the D400, set up the D300 on the repro stand permanently. :D

Brother's a good brand; their laser printers at least. Don't know about their scanners or inkjets.