Scanner Recommendations?

[Gochris1]

Hello!

Even though I use a Cintiq, I have found that I would also like to scan drawings on paper into TV Paint.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a scanner? I use Windows 7 and I do not need automatic paper feed.
(But if your scanner has an automatic paper feed and works well with TVP, please let me know about it.)

I would especially like to find a scanner that scans 11 inches X 17 inches that costs less than 1,000 dollars US.

I am looking at the Mustek A3 2400S. Has anyone used it?

Thanks for your help!

[D.T. Nethery]

would especially like to find a scanner that scans 11 inches X 17 inches that costs less than 1,000 dollars US.

There is where it gets tricky.

Most good 11 x 17 scanners cost more than $1,000 . The Epson Expression 10000XL is an excellent 11 x 17 scanner that I have personal experience with using and would recommend , but it starts at around $2,500 (without the ADF attachment; costs more with the ADF) . There are also a number of 11 x 17 high-production scanners made by Fujitsu , but those start at around $4,000 . I notice someone is selling the Fujitsu FI-5530C2 for $2,550 on Amazon.com (discounted from $3,999.00 list price ) .

The less expensive 11 x 17 scanners on the market are Mustek and Brother . My experience with Mustek has not been good : SLOW , with bad/fussy drivers.

Brother 11 x 17 scanners are better in my experience. (and they come with built in ADF if you want to use that option; however the ADF is limited to 35 sheets at a time, so you have to break up a longer scene into 35 drawing sections which would be dropped in to the tray one after the other)

Brother MFCJ6510DW or others in the MFC-J line Brother MFC-J6910DW , Brother MFC-J6710DW . Price ranges from $189 - $299 depending on the model and the seller (Amazon.com has the best prices on the Brothers)

However, the scanner interface that comes with the Brother MFC-J scanners is minimal , so I'd recommend using VueScan with it .

Keep in mind that the Brother line is intended for relatively light "home office/small business" use , so if you are working on a production where you are scanning thousands of drawings you will probably need to replace the Brother at some point , whereas the more expensive "industrial strength" scanners such as Fujitsu or Epson are built to last longer . However for the price you could replace one of the Brother's 10 times over before you spent as much as 1 Epson Expression 10000 XL .

[Gochris1]

Wow! Thanks David, what a thorough response! I really couldn't ask for anything more. You knocked it out of the park.

It looks like your tip on Vuescan may just save me from having to buy a new scanner. So thanks again for that.

You're the best!

Gochris

[slowtiger]

Disappointing to see that the scanner situation hasn't changed in the last 15 years. While consumer devices can be had for under 100 € and have an amazing quality, anything more professional or a bit bigger still is expensive as hell. I was surprised to hear that Mustek is still around, if only that something other than a big brand doesn't sound as trustworthy.