What's the best way to convert printed photo's to digital?

i know nothing · 27 Apr 2017 at 18:47

I have numerous family photo's (approx. 6,000) in albums that I would like to "digitise" so I can share them with other family members. I have no idea what sort of scanner would be appropriate, so any advice from someone who's done it would be useful. I should imagine that a scanner that requires no post processing would be best (if that's even possible!). What's the best way to go about it? Any useful advice/tips would be much appreciated!

Raymond Lin · 27 Apr 2017 at 18:49

Got to negative? Then get a negative scanner.

Only have prints? Then a flatbed scanner.

mattyg · 27 Apr 2017 at 18:55

Scanners are pretty good. I was amazed with the last 80's photo I scanned.

mikedigitales · 27 Apr 2017 at 19:01

The other half has just started a similar project, she's using a Canon LiDE 220 flatbed scanner. I think it was £60, scans pretty quick at 600dpi, you can then just pop in your photos one at a time and press the photo button. This scans to file with presets so no mucking about with post processing.

i know nothing · 27 Apr 2017 at 19:10

Raymond Lin said:
Got to negative? Then get a negative scanner.

Only have prints? Then a flatbed scanner.

Only prints.

mikedigitales said:
The other half has just started a similar project, she's using a Canon LiDE 220 flatbed scanner. I think it was £60, scans pretty quick at 600dpi, you can then just pop in your photos one at a time and press the photo button. This scans to file with presets so no mucking about with post processing.

Excellent, I'll check that one out. Thanks!

Is 600dpi the level of quality I should be aiming for?

mikedigitales · 28 Apr 2017 at 07:43

Probably about the right dpi, probably not worth going higher unless you want to blow them up much bigger in the future. You could get away with 400dpi if storage space is a concern.

i know nothing · 28 Apr 2017 at 08:54

mikedigitales said:
Probably about the right dpi, probably not worth going higher unless you want to blow them up much bigger in the future. You could get away with 400dpi if storage space is a concern.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate it.

Thinking of storage, what would you say is the average size (MB) of each photo your Missus has scanned? I presume they're mostly 6x4, 5x7, kind of "normal" size?

LionOfJudah · 29 Apr 2017 at 13:47

I've luckily got a feeder scanner and it's much easier to stack photos through and batch scan and then just separate files out later

mikedigitales · 29 Apr 2017 at 17:33

i know nothing said:
Thanks Mike, I appreciate it.

Thinking of storage, what would you say is the average size (MB) of each photo your Missus has scanned? I presume they're mostly 6x4, 5x7, kind of "normal" size?

No probs, the few test images have been 6x4" photos and have been between 5-7MB at 600dpi

i know nothing · 30 Apr 2017 at 03:49

mikedigitales said:
No probs, the few test images have been 6x4" photos and have been between 5-7MB at 600dpi

Thanks Mike, I shall have to think a little more about storage and how selective I would need to be.

mikedigitales · 30 Apr 2017 at 11:01

No worries, the OH is starting scanning today so i'll try to remember to report back when she's done a load with storage space used with a bigger sample.

i know nothing · 14 May 2017 at 08:59

mikedigitales said:
No worries, the OH is starting scanning today so i'll try to remember to report back when she's done a load with storage space used with a bigger sample.

Hi Mike, wondering if I could be cheeky and ask how your Missus was getting on? Would love to know what sort of storage she is using (e.g. average Mb/photo) for the scans.

bsoltan · 14 May 2017 at 09:04

Is it recommended to just get a flatbed scanner and do it yourself rather than sending batches of photos away somewhere?

Time vs risk with it but wondered if the quality is comparable.

mikedigitales · 17 May 2017 at 19:42

i know nothing said:
Hi Mike, wondering if I could be cheeky and ask how your Missus was getting on? Would love to know what sort of storage she is using (e.g. average Mb/photo) for the scans.

No worries - finally found out the numbers so far from her - she's started with the black and white oldies first, just started the big pile of colour photos.
200 B/W images at 600 DPI are using up just over 500MB in total (6x4" mainly, some slightly smaller)
300 Colour images at 600 DPI are using 1.2GB in total (all 6x4")

I'll wait till she's done a load more and see if it changes much

bsoltan said:
Is it recommended to just get a flatbed scanner and do it yourself rather than sending batches of photos away somewhere?

Time vs risk with it but wondered if the quality is comparable.

My OH ummed and ahhhhed about sending them off to be done, but found the main worry was them getting lost in transit. Our local shops all closed down recently, and tbh who trusts Hermes and the like with anything irreplaceable. The flatbed scanner are very cheap now, quality is great, but you obviously need the time to sit and work through them all.

i know nothing · 18 May 2017 at 05:53

mikedigitales said:
No worries - finally found out the numbers so far from her - she's started with the black and white oldies first, just started the big pile of colour photos.
200 B/W images at 600 DPI are using up just over 500MB in total (6x4" mainly, some slightly smaller)
300 Colour images at 600 DPI are using 1.2GB in total (all 6x4")

I'll wait till she's done a load more and see if it changes much

Brilliant Mike, thanks!

I can get a pretty good idea of what sort of storage I will need from that. Appreciate you getting back to me. :cool:

mikedigitales · 18 May 2017 at 10:13

No worries at all