Scanner speeds? dpi? and anyone tried Flip-Pal scanner?

[PoohJen]

Hi Everyone!
I've searched through prior threads, and couldn't find exactly the info I was looking for, so here goes:

My all in one printer scans photos incredibly slowly. So slowly that I've only tried it twice and haven't completed one yet. Yawn. So I'm looking at dedicated scanners. Not alot of consistent info out there, and very few reviews talk about scan speed. I'm looking for a scanner that can scan old photos and negatives quickly, with a decent quality for viewing on computer and re-printing as part of, say, a photo book. I have PE9 to touch up the scan jobs.

Speed: can anyone recommend a photo scanner that they like and that has great speed (can scan multiple photos in at least a minute)? I understand prices vary. I'm looking for a consumer model from $50-150.

DPI: how important is this? this ranges from 300 to 600 to the thousands. Is this mostly important for enlargements? What's the lowest 'must have' for a quality scan?

Flip-Pal mobile scanner: this looks cool: http://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Mountain-Ventures-Company-Flip-Pal/dp/B003VPPA56/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t However, it doesn't give the dpi specs - a user's review mentioned 300-600 dpi. Wondering if anyone here has tried it.

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm no expert on scanners, but recently I have started using the latest one the DW purchased a couple of years ago. We have an Epson Perfection V500 Photo. It is currently going for around $150. It comes with all that is needed to scan negatives, etc. It is reasonably fast (very subjective topic). Here are a couple of old photos that I scanned. I don't remember doing any PP on them.


Wonders of Life by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


Lets Make a Deal by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks Papa, that scanner has good reviews too. I'm surprised the scanners don't include speed in their specs.

 

[photo_chick]

Speed is relative to the size you're scanning and the DPI you're scanning at. You probably be able to scan multiple photos in a minute with any of the consumer scanners on the market at any kind of decent quality. It takes time to get a good scan of a photo. Though there are some higher end commercial scanners that can run through photos pretty quickly.

I second the V500 suggestion. It's a great scanner for that price.