Reasonably priced flatbed scanner (Epson Perfection 4990 Photo)

Member Name: tizliz

Product:	Epson Perfection 4990 Photo
Date:	13/05/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Scans documents, slides, medium format and transparencies

Disadvantages: Slow on high resolution

I bought this (flat bed) scanner as I have lots of transparancies that I want to store on my computer before they fade. I looked at a lot of scanners before I found one that would scan in 35mm, medium format and slides and which didn't cost a fortune.

You can use it on automatic and it will decide if you are scanning in a photo or a document. It uses software to transfer your document into a pdf file which is very useful if you want to change or add to the document.

Or you can choose the professional option and use the additional options to decide what resolution you want, adjust the colours, remove scratches and dust, or change a colour document/print to black and white. Then you choose where you want the file to go. You can review before scanning to make sure your original is straight, or you can just scan part of the document - this is useful if you have filled up the carrier for your slides and then want to scan them in separately.

The rate of scanning depends on which options you have choosen; from very quick for a simple document to 5 or 6 minutes for a colour A4 page.

It uses a standard usb connection and is supported by all Windows and Mac operating systems.

The first scanner we received had a rare fault on it but it was quickly identified by Brother and replaced immediately.

Summary: If you want a flat bed scanner and are happy with A4 this is the one

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