Automatic Feed Photo Scanners
If your like most people you probably have boxes or albums with photos laying around that you have been meaning to scan into your computer someday. You quickly realize that it is a major pain in the ass and push off the project for some other time.
I did a little research and found that the HP ScanJet 5530 Scanner had an autofeed feature, but the reviews are kind of crappy.
I went to the Epson web site saw they have a photo feeder that can be adapted to fit on a scanner. You simply remove the cover of the scanner and replace it with the auto feeder. It works with the Epson Perfection 2480 or 2580 scanners. I think it may also work with the 3490 & 3590 Scanners.
These scanners are no longer in retail stores but they can be found on ebay.
So for about $240 I was able to assemble an automatic photo scanner.
It works really well ! You can load about 25 pictures into the tray. It takes about 15-20 minutes to scan 25 pics. It isn’t terribly fast but you can do other things while the pics are scanning. You can scan hundreds of pictures in a day no problem.
Daniel said,
August 29, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
I have been searching for over a week now trying to find just such a automatic photo scanner. It seems like no company makes such a scanner anymore, or they want you to drop 500-3000 bucks for a professional one.
Everyone seems to think you have to do it manually, on by one, with a flatbed scanner. I couldn’t believe people would be willing to spend months doing such a tedious task, when it could all be automated. I found countless forum threads of people who have done that, but you are the first to actually do it the smart way. : )
I can’t find this on ebay or any other site, so wish me luck as I keep looking.
Kim said,
September 6, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
I have one of these scanners. Honestly, I hate the photo feeder because it damages the pictures. It leaves a very faint mark (crease) on each photo where it is fed into the scanner. Don’t waste your money. Do it the old fashioned way. That’s probably why they stopped makeing these.