Hello and thanks for the video. I'm looking for a book scanner, do you think the cheaper optic slim is suitable? I saw that Plustek has put specific scanners on the market, but none are in A3 format and in any case they all are very expensive. I sell books and I mainly have to photograph the front and back covers, and some inside pages. Thank you!
@FamilyHistoryHero7 күн бұрын
Yes, the cheaper version is probably fine. You'll get a slight bit better quality for colors with the OpticPro A320L but as long as the art is good your scans should look good. And inside pages should be fine also. It does well on pages with black ink for the words and if you have art on some inside pages it'll be good as long as the art is good and doesn't have dark shadow areas.
@marcodambrosio15637 күн бұрын
@@FamilyHistoryHero I'm torn between the Plustek scanner and the Czur ET24 pro, which works differently. Have you ever tried this device? Thanks for answering me.
@FamilyHistoryHero7 күн бұрын
@@marcodambrosio1563 Unfortunately, no. I've seen pictures of it but I only review scanners I personally have and use. A quick Google search I did for reviews of that model came up with several review options which I didn't read but might be helpful for you. One problem is that books are notorious for being awkward and not lying flat like the image in the ad for the Czur ET24 pro shows! Do a search for how to make books lie flat and you'll get some ideas, including putting a pane of glass on top. You'll have to watch out for glare from the glass, however. For me a scanner with its heavy lid does a good job of holding my books flat-and I just scanned several books!
@andrewlarking749210 күн бұрын
What about when two families or a mixture are in the photo?
@victorialing437918 күн бұрын
I just ordered the Wolverine Titan cos of the 8 formats but now watching this, I might have to cancel!
@FamilyHistoryHero18 күн бұрын
It's always hard to know until you try something! The results speak for themselves...
@qwasezeb7852Ай бұрын
Thank you! Looks like the Kodak will give me decent digital copies. Then I can find the ones I would want high-quality scans of.
@FamilyHistoryHeroАй бұрын
Yes! It does a "good enough" job with most scans and helps you identify scans that might do better with on a good flatbed scanner.
@fraudsarentfriends4717Ай бұрын
Digitizing doesn't make your photos safer. More digital photos are lost in the cloud and on devices than on film.
@FamilyHistoryHeroАй бұрын
Photos, whether digital or paper, getting lost or tossed is indeed a problem. That's why a digital version should be placed in a safe place like a genealogy site, where future generations can search, or with a service, like Permanent.org, where you can pay once and be able to pass access down from generation to generation. In my class, My Ancestor Box, I also recommend saving a curated set of physical photos you can pass down, but physical photos can only be given to one descendant-unless you digitize and print additional physical copies. So physical and digital work together...and eventually all we'll have is digital. So we better make sure we have a safe way to store them!
@trevroyphillips3368Ай бұрын
0:18
@maazafzal1922 ай бұрын
Astugfirrula
@timothy7901102 ай бұрын
2:54 did that updated software ever get released? Thank you for the pdf and the thorough review, you are the only one online to find, basically. Im an artist and just ordered one to do prints of my watercolors, and your guide will come in handy!
@FamilyHistoryHero2 ай бұрын
H @timothy790110-Your welcome! Regarding your question: I still have the original PlustekPro I reviewed in this video so I don't know if they've updated the instructions or not. I've recently added a few updates to the downloadable PDF to explain some quirkiness and how to handle it, so if you just downloaded it you have my latest version. All the best with your watercolor prints!
@timothy7901102 ай бұрын
@@FamilyHistoryHero Thank you! I think i will either use Vuescan or Silverfast to control the scanner. They also give you greater control and you can get RAW images out of it!
@timothy79011012 күн бұрын
@@FamilyHistoryHero I ended up returning the scanner. it was impossible to scan watercolor paper, it would blow out the white of the paper every time, no matter how much i fiddled witht he settings. shame.
@FamilyHistoryHero7 күн бұрын
@@timothy790110 Oh no! So sorry to hear it didn't work out for you! You probably need to take your art to a business dedicated to scanning fine art.
@timothy7901107 күн бұрын
@@FamilyHistoryHero Yes its a shame as it would have been very convenient. Even with the higher rez that the 320L has, it wouldn't have worked. blue skies went more towards Purple. I ended up just taking photos with my sony a7r iv, and a color checker passport. bit more laborious butthe resolution is amazing and the colors are spot on. just a bit more faffing abut!
@jmcgover1003 ай бұрын
I was trying to decide between wolverine and kodak. Wish I had found your video earlier 😮💨. Great video!
@FamilyHistoryHero3 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@bondwoman443 ай бұрын
Appreciate the tip, very insightful
@bondwoman443 ай бұрын
❤❤❤
@bondwoman443 ай бұрын
What a great video! Definitely going to check out your site
@Sergeant-of-the-crossing-guard3 ай бұрын
I was hoping to use this PDF but a pop-up ad “Click Funnels” ad is blocking access to your PDF sign up form. I tried Google and Safari and the same pop-up appeared on both.
@thanhclips3 ай бұрын
Excellent review. Thanks.
@joetanner74794 ай бұрын
- This may be theee best presentation I've seen for any product on KZread. Love the olde photos, too. Absolute time capsules. -
@FamilyHistoryHero3 ай бұрын
Am so glad you found Charlie's video helpful!
@alienredwolf4 ай бұрын
Gotta say this might be the video that makes me go for the OpticPro... I'm an artist looking to scan 12x12 inch canvas boards. This seems perfect. Thanks for your lovely presentation.
@FamilyHistoryHero4 ай бұрын
Yes, it does sound like a good fit-all the best on your projects!
@marygrether15 ай бұрын
THANK YOU!!!
@FamilyHistoryHero5 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
@44lwiggins5 ай бұрын
Hi Linda. I had contacted you about th plustek optic pro scanner. You gave me some tips for scanning. I just bought one but can’t find our conversation. Help!
@FamilyHistoryHero5 ай бұрын
Congrats on getting a Plustek scanner! Here's what I said: Scanning pages with bulky embellishments is a bit tricky, especially if the page also contains glossy photos, though matte photos can be affected as well. Bulk on the page will raise the scanner lid slightly (or a lot depending on the embellishment size) allowing light to come through that will affect the final scan. That extra light is especially bad for glossy photos as it can create a small or large glare. The only way to get around it is to not use the scanner lid and instead cover the page with soft thick material like black felt or fleece that will drape over all the scanner edges to keep out extra light. Secure the material with a few heavy objects like a stapler on the outer edges It’s kind of a pain but it works and the Plustek OpticPro is best for larger 12x12 pages since you can get the entire page in one scan. I did have to spend an hour or two adjusting my settings, but that’s just part of the process for this kind of scanner. Once you get a good setting it should work on all the pages in the album. Here are the settings I ended up using: Apply Color Matching (lower right list) Other Settings: Brightness 0 Contrast -50 Gamma: 1.40 Threshold 128 Descreen None Another option is to photograph your pages using ambient indirect light that is warm enough. (Winter light isn’t great and will give your page a cold, or even slightly blue, tint.) If you’re a member of my class: My Digital Ancestor Box, I have a whole lesson on best practices for photographing memorabilia which would apply to scrapbook pages as well. Otherwise just experiment with indirect light from a window or even outside with indirect sunlight.
@dorisjc11865 ай бұрын
Good info, but not the price. Not willing to pay that kind of money for a one time use.
@FamilyHistoryHero5 ай бұрын
Kind of depends on how much you have to scan and the time you'll save. Or you can do what I was planning to do: Get my scanning done and then sell it on eBay. But wouldn't you know... I got hooked on it and found it was helpful for so much more than larger photo albums! That's why I still have it and sometimes use it more than my Epson scanner which I've always loved but just isn't as fast and easy as my Plustek for some types of scans.
@REALGOLD205 ай бұрын
Hi Linda! This is JP from México. Thanks for these reviews, they've been so useful for me since I'm about to invest in a scanner to scan many (thick n old) photoalbums. Probably there are better versions now in 2024. My question is: do you know the model of the updated version of them? And do you know if they also have the feature for scanning negatives?... and last questions: when you're scanning a whole page from a photoalbum... do you know if the scanner automatically detects every photograph and it crop (and skew) and saves it separately in JPG? Again thanks a lot, I'm looking forward for your answers.
@FamilyHistoryHero6 күн бұрын
Sorry I didn't see this until now. The Plustek doesn't turn individual photos on an album page into individual separate scans. It just scans the entire page. If I want an individual image I use Photoshop to select a copy to save separately or I rescan it if I want to enlarge it, for example
@garrisonthebluenoser22416 ай бұрын
I have over 40 x 100 double sided paged albums. All with cellophane clear plastic over each page. They are like scrapbooks, meaning more than just pictures, also newspaper clippings, added art. How can I digitize full pages, recreating the albums by digitized pages?
@FamilyHistoryHero6 ай бұрын
I have a large format Scanner (Plustek OpticPro) that can accommodate large pages like that. Without such a scanner your best option is to photograph the pages. We have a Glendan Light Box big enough to photograph pages. Those are probably your two best options.
@vic135816 ай бұрын
Many thanks Linda I have tons of photos to scan, so hard to buy a good scanner here in Sydney
@FamilyHistoryHero6 ай бұрын
I hope you can find a good one! Even a good used scanner might work.
@CRSDelta7 ай бұрын
Hello, It is great to find you here. I was a long time subscriber to your emails. Anyway, I have a question about this scanner? I have 1000's of photos to scan like a lot of commenters. Does this scanner physically scan to a computer? Does it have the option to send to a phone? thank you.
@FamilyHistoryHero7 ай бұрын
Nice to "see" you again! Regarding your question-The answer is yes. It sends the scans to your computer via a cord connected to your computer or via wifi. It looks like it can also send to a phone. Check out some FAQs about the Epson FastFoto 680W here: epson.com/Support/Scanners/FastFoto-Series/Epson-FastFoto-FF-680W/s/SPT_B11B237201#questions
@beverlycazzell91097 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for this information, Linda. Learning about the CCD sensor is helpful making a decision to purchase a scanner.
@rjaquaponics92667 ай бұрын
DVD's are obsolete and the drives of almost obsolete so whether a fire or flood occurs... it is the same results i.e.. lost old photos are gone. And, I have thousands of old albums of misc. pictures in poor condition. And I have had a stroke so I am limited how to store/save and share these old photos! You have suggested many ideas but most cost money, buy something or pay someone etc... I can barely enter a password Twice and Google AI is helping me write right now and all available moneys goes to pay my medical bills. I used to be an field service entrepreneur and I understand a scanned photo requires a photo scanner to reproduce on printer or LCD respectfully. I have time now that my blood pressure is under control, but I don't have patients or money to invest. I'm Looking for a descent method to capture and old photos in Picasa unlicensed version, or un-pay per view as if I gave albums to give my son and his newborn. Many of your ideas are great but cost $$. I have to find the good enough method in order to pass on the old photographs to future generations.
@FamilyHistoryHero7 ай бұрын
My dad did something that was easy, didn't cost him any additional money, and saved old family photos from his growing up years that I enjoy to this day. He took photos (back then with a camera) of old family photos owned by other members of his large family. Today you can use a cellphone. They take surprisingly good photos of paper photos if you can hold your hand steady. If you can't ask someone else to help you. There's always a way.
@AndresLeonRangel7 ай бұрын
I just know I need to go to Israel for the bread rolls 😊😊😊
@BillRocklin8 ай бұрын
Just purchased a Kodak Slide & Scan! I've got a simple question and can't seem to find the answer. When using this, does the SHINY side go in facing up? Or facing down?
@marlagallagher84438 ай бұрын
What is your opinion of the Plustek OpticPro A320E - A3 CCD Sensor Flatbed Scanner, 12" x 17" scan Area with 7.8 Second Speed. Windows,Mac, ICA & Twain Compliant listed on Amazon -- it lists for 549?
@FamilyHistoryHero8 ай бұрын
I've never used it but it sounds great! Plustek changes the letter in the name whenever any change is made-even something really minor-so essentially it's probably the same scanner I have and love. As long as it uses CCD you have the quality you need. The one area that isn't as intuitive on the Plustek is their manual! So I made a PDF with tips for new users. You'll find the link to download the PDF below the KZread video where I review the Plustek Optic Pro 320 OL. Here's the link to that video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a4qtppaiadq0pcY.html. (Click "more" in the description below the video to find the PDF download link.)
@terigortmaker6538 ай бұрын
I have an Epson V370 photo scanner. Is this a good scanner?
@FamilyHistoryHero8 ай бұрын
I don't personally use every scanner available for purchase so your best bet is to click the "MORE" button in the description below this video to see the link to my other video called How To Choose A Good Flatbed Scanner. It tells you exactly how to know if your scanner will be a good purchase!
@richardpaz19198 ай бұрын
Which one does the Epson fast foto 680W have? CIS CCD?
@FamilyHistoryHero8 ай бұрын
Interestingly it has a CIS scanner device (which isn't as good as a CCD device) but something about the way it's put together and the software it uses makes a difference. It's not QUITE as good as a flatbed CCD scanner but it's amazingly good for the average photo. You can see the slight difference in my review of the Epson FastFoto 680W here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/eYV2usmrdqzKaNo.html. I wouldn't use a FastFoto scanner for compromised photos that are seriously "bad" especially too dark, but for the average decent photo it's a real timesaver.
@richardpaz19198 ай бұрын
Did you include the video of “the secret to choosing a good flat bed scanner”
@FamilyHistoryHero8 ай бұрын
Yes! It's right here on this page. Just click the "MORE" button in the description below this video to see the links I mention in the video which includes How To Choose A Good Flatbed Scanner. All the best!
@nancyzappia32418 ай бұрын
Hi there. Any preference for the type of computer you use? Apple vs other?
@FamilyHistoryHero8 ай бұрын
Charlie and I have been die-hard Mac users since laptop computers became available but we know many people who use Windows and love it just as much-so use whichever platform you have. It won't affect the quality of your scans if you use the right scanner!
@nancyzappia32418 ай бұрын
Thanks, I’ve got to replace our Macbook (I’d prefer the I-Mac) pc bc it is soooo slow. Just wondered if there were any connectivity issues using a Mac product with the scanner you recommended. Apparently not. Thx again.
@joanstephenson24678 ай бұрын
Linda, Just saw your video introducing your “new” business in preserving family history. Love it! Joan
@FamilyHistoryHero8 ай бұрын
Thanks Joan! I hope all is going well for you too!
@mikem48148 ай бұрын
Bravo! A review with very detailed examples and explanations. Thank you!
@markreimer65388 ай бұрын
Thanks Linda. Would you please consider updating this review with the Plustek OpticPro A320E scanner?
@FamilyHistoryHero8 ай бұрын
@markreimer6538 I don't normally upgrade scanners unless there's something really new and different. I also know that Plustek changes the number on the name no matter what the change, large or small. It could just be a different screw! So I went to Plustek's website and started a chat: Me: Has anything significant changed since the Plustek Pro A320L? I have the A320L and have filmed a review of it that has reached a lot of people and now I'm being asked to review the A320E-which I don't plan to do but I'm curious to know if it's essentially any different than the one I have. Plustek: "Thank you for contacting Plustek Support. The A320E has a lower maximum DPI which is 800. That is the only significant difference." Back to you, Mark- Hope that helps-I'm guessing it's a little cheaper because of the lower maximum DPI but the quality will be the same. And you will RARELY need to use dpi bigger than 800 to get a fabulous scan. You only need more when you have tiny little pictures or slides that you need to greatly enlarge and that's not what this scanner is for. It's for average to large items.
@lauralonati70489 ай бұрын
I have watched a zillion videos! This is it!! Plastic excellent! Color coding excellent! And sorting them by childhood and then separate once they are married! BINGO! I was struggling with this on my son and this is the most simplistic way! Love it!!
@FamilyHistoryHero9 ай бұрын
@lauralonati7048 Glad it was helpful! I struggled with organization way too long before I finally came up with this system. It has worked very well for me and many others. All the best in your project!
@lauralonati70489 ай бұрын
@@FamilyHistoryHero well thank you for putting this video out there!
@margienava99409 ай бұрын
I didn't get info I wanted, my photos r sticky in front pictures,I don't care ab back, need to clean or? The front , so I can frame them please help... !!!👍👍👍
@FamilyHistoryHero9 ай бұрын
Here's a link to a good article on what to do: imagerestorationcenter.com/old-photos-stuck-together/ Caveat-I haven't had to try this myself but I've heard of others having success using this method. AS ALWAYS: Test it on ONE set of stuck photos first before doing the rest-use your least desirable set of stuck photos to test out this technique.
@margienava99409 ай бұрын
I ended having a mess, an thier my kids only pictures I have when they were small, but mine r sticking to each other in front, not back !
@nihalbasnayake21999 ай бұрын
Hi, Your revive is good, I need quality and large number of old photos. What do you think Epson Perfection V39 II is better quality ? I can scan 10-20 photos per day if quality is good. Epson Perfection V39 II has 4800 dpi. can you give a comment please. In your review scan photo v600 is better
@FamilyHistoryHero9 ай бұрын
The key factor in a scanner is the image sensor that's used-not how much dpi it can give you. That's why I don't recommend the cheaper scanners. They use a cheaper image sensor that does a decent job on really good photos that have good lighting and color but they don't do well on photos with shadows or tints of color such as faces that are a little red. They actually accent the problem and you'll get really bad looking scans. Watch this KZread video where I compare the two sensors on both good and less than good images and you'll see the difference: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a4qtppaiadq0pcY.html The comparison is on a Plustek scanner but the principle is exactly the same for Epson scanners-you get what you pay for.
@nihalbasnayake21999 ай бұрын
Thanks for the reply, Is Epson Perfection V39 II better ? how to find out what sensor used ?
@FamilyHistoryHero9 ай бұрын
@@nihalbasnayake2199 I don’t test every scanner on the market and I don’t even keep up with each new version of the flatbed scanner I use. So the short answer is usually no-I can’t give you my opinion about the model you’re considering. But I did look up the sensor used by the Epson Perfection V39 II and as I suspected, it uses the cheaper image sensor so I do NOT recommend it! The scanner I’ve used for years and highly recommend is the Epson V600 flatbed scanner. It’s moderately priced, anywhere from $150 on sale to around $300, and yet it creates excellent scans-as good as the more expensive Epson models where you’re mostly paying for more bells and whistles or size. The key factor for creating excellent scans that look like the original photo is the image sensor-not how much resolution (dpi) the scanner can give you. That's why I don't recommend the cheaper scanners. They use a cheaper CISS image sensor that does a decent job on really good photos that have good lighting and color but they don't do well on photos with shadows or tints of color such as faces that are a little red. They actually make the problem worse-the faces get redder or oranger or whatever problem color the photo has and the shadows areas get darker so you lose detail. The more expensive CCD sensor does an excellent job of reproducing the original photo. If you want to see my comparison of both sensors used on the same photos watch my demo video called: Review: Plustek Large Format Scanners. Here's the link: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a4qtppaiadq0pcY.html The comparison is on a Plustek scanner but the principle is exactly the same for other scanners-you get what you pay for: The cheaper image sensor with lower quality is the CIS Sensor. The more expensive sensor with great quality is the CCD image sensor. Image Sensor information is usually listed in the “Technical Specifications” -usually way near the end of the sales page on a site like Amazon. Sometimes, though, they simply don’t list it. (When I looked it up they didn't list it for the Epson Perfection V39 II.) If you don’t see this information: Open a new web page and in the search field enter the name of the scanner you’re interested in, e.g. Perfection V19 II/V39 II Add the word “manual” at the end like this: Perfection V19 II/V39 II manual Press Enter or Return and you'll almost always get the manual or "Users Guide." Look for "Technical Specifications." If it says CISS don't buy it. If it says CCD you know you have a higher quality scanner that will do a good job on your photos.
@nihalbasnayake21999 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for the information
@robinclay17089 ай бұрын
I have a hundred albums, but a) they are 12 x 16 and b) they are tightly bound so only open to 0 degrees. I have an A3 scanner, but they books don't lie flat.
@FamilyHistoryHero9 ай бұрын
With photo albums or books that don't lie flat on a flatbed scanner you have to scan them one page at a time with the opposite side hanging over the edge outside the scanner. It takes a little more time but it works quite well! Another option you may not have considered is dismantling at least some of the albums and scanning all the pages in the original order to create a digital album in PDF format. A hundred physical albums is a HUGE amount to pass down to future generations and not all albums are created equal! So here's something to chew on... I kept a few of my very best albums and tossed the rest after scanning all the pages and removing only the best photos that I felt were worthy of keeping. As family historians we tend to think everything is equally important and must be preserved in physical form, exactly as it is, but that just isn't true. In fact, Good is often the enemy of the Best because it makes the amount of stuff we have look and feel overwhelming-not just to us but also to our descendants. Just something to think about...
@robinclay17089 ай бұрын
Thank you ! That "overhang" idea is genius ! But would miss out the edges of the pages. But I'll try that. 71 of my grandmother's albums, now in a "museum" to which I have "privileged access". 29 are my mother's, and generally are worth keeping - they may go to the same "museum". My mother had a 16mm cine camera that she took "out into the Bush of darkest Africa" in 1936 - no roads, no cars ! I have 10,000 ft of film to digitise . . .
@claudiatapia83109 ай бұрын
I was blown away by all the information present it!! Thanks a lot!! Great video!!💫💫💫
@FamilyHistoryHero9 ай бұрын
You're welcome-glad to be of help!
@priyagindra47639 ай бұрын
What abt the gum behind the photo?
@FamilyHistoryHero9 ай бұрын
If you're talking about the gum left on the album page, that's something I don't worry about because my goal is to remove all the photos from the photo album-especially when it's an older magnetic album that isn't photo-safe.
@AmyRou-hr3yl10 ай бұрын
Hi Linda! I’ve been revisiting this video often as I make the decision on which scanner to invest in. I have 42 filled to the max CM albums I want to scan. I hope you can answer a question for me. Is there a big quality difference on scanning 12x12 albums with the optic proA320L versus the 320E? The E is 800 dpi and L is 1600dpi. You compare the optic slim which I think is 1200dpi. The price difference is pretty significant between the 320L and E tabloid. So hoping you can respond to my question. Thanks again for all your great info and advice!
@FamilyHistoryHero10 ай бұрын
Hi Amy-the quality difference has nothing to do with the amount of dpi-as long as you scan at 300 ppi or above. You only need a higher ppi (dpi) when you want to enlarge a photo or scrapbook page without losing quality and with Creative Memory albums you generally don't need to increase the size-unless you have a small picture on a page that you want to enlarge. I scanned all my CM albums at 300 ppi and got excellent results. And if I wanted to enlarge an individual photo I rescanned just that photo at 600 or 900 ppi, depending on how large I wanted the photo to be. The quality of the scanner itself has to do with the image sensor in the scanner. A CCD sensor will give you better quality results than a CIS sensor. Were you able to see the difference in quality watching the video? I didn't change the dpi. The only difference was the image sensor. Often you can only know the kind of sensor you have by searching for it in the instructions document and scrolling down to the technical information way at the bottom. This document should be available online if you search for it. Hope that helps!
@peggysproul440910 ай бұрын
I've removed my photos from a sticky "magnetic" album, but I can't find a way to remove the large number of little sticky spots on the back. The Goo Gone technique seems hard when I can't even see the sticky spots because they're so tiny.
@FamilyHistoryHero10 ай бұрын
It's true that getting rid of the sticky part is time consuming and can be frustrating. So don't feel obligated to do so if you're able to simply scan the photos and print them. The original paper isn't sacred! It's the photo that matters. PLUS...you're able to upsize small photos and/or edit them before printing so you end up with a much better photo!
@farhatasheer66822 ай бұрын
@@FamilyHistoryHero which oil should be used?
@FamilyHistoryHero2 ай бұрын
@@farhatasheer6682 Use Goo-Gone to remove sticky residue from the back (or front) of a photo. Before trying this be sure you watch the video to know which photos to avoid. (Essentially older photos printed on paper with no coating on the front or the back or both.)
@jscott605110 ай бұрын
Thank you, Charlie. This was one of the best reviews I've watched. There are a number of scanner units. You've helped me understand both the units but helped me consider that the choice depends greatly on my goals for using the photos once the slides are scanned. Great comparison information and your recommendations were perfect for me.
@FamilyHistoryHero10 ай бұрын
I'm glad you found it helpful!
@rickkaylor794910 ай бұрын
Thanks for doing this video. I found it to be very helpful. I have about 1 thousand slides and pictures to scan and this gives me a good idea of what resolution to use.
@FamilyHistoryHero10 ай бұрын
All the best on your scanning project!
@priscillaware474911 ай бұрын
You are the BEST Linda! Thanks you previous courses with you my photos are safe and most digitized. I still have lots to do with them yet. I do intend to get back to them.
@FamilyHistoryHero11 ай бұрын
Wonderful, Priscilla! So glad to hear of your success and am so pleased to have been part of your journey!
@toronto69011 ай бұрын
Where to buy that small portable scanner?
@FamilyHistoryHero11 ай бұрын
Unfortunately the company no longer sells the Doxie Flip scanner. I was sad when I heard that! You might be able to find a used one on the internet.
@lwhitaker405411 ай бұрын
I took one of your online classes several years ago...to fix several heritage photos. My Mother was sooo amazed. She is our family archivist. Credits go to you for sharing your experience. So...thanks!
@FamilyHistoryHero11 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your success getting the photos fixed after taking my class! It really is like magic!
Пікірлер
Hello and thanks for the video. I'm looking for a book scanner, do you think the cheaper optic slim is suitable? I saw that Plustek has put specific scanners on the market, but none are in A3 format and in any case they all are very expensive. I sell books and I mainly have to photograph the front and back covers, and some inside pages. Thank you!
Yes, the cheaper version is probably fine. You'll get a slight bit better quality for colors with the OpticPro A320L but as long as the art is good your scans should look good. And inside pages should be fine also. It does well on pages with black ink for the words and if you have art on some inside pages it'll be good as long as the art is good and doesn't have dark shadow areas.
@@FamilyHistoryHero I'm torn between the Plustek scanner and the Czur ET24 pro, which works differently. Have you ever tried this device? Thanks for answering me.
@@marcodambrosio1563 Unfortunately, no. I've seen pictures of it but I only review scanners I personally have and use. A quick Google search I did for reviews of that model came up with several review options which I didn't read but might be helpful for you. One problem is that books are notorious for being awkward and not lying flat like the image in the ad for the Czur ET24 pro shows! Do a search for how to make books lie flat and you'll get some ideas, including putting a pane of glass on top. You'll have to watch out for glare from the glass, however. For me a scanner with its heavy lid does a good job of holding my books flat-and I just scanned several books!
What about when two families or a mixture are in the photo?
I just ordered the Wolverine Titan cos of the 8 formats but now watching this, I might have to cancel!
It's always hard to know until you try something! The results speak for themselves...
Thank you! Looks like the Kodak will give me decent digital copies. Then I can find the ones I would want high-quality scans of.
Yes! It does a "good enough" job with most scans and helps you identify scans that might do better with on a good flatbed scanner.
Digitizing doesn't make your photos safer. More digital photos are lost in the cloud and on devices than on film.
Photos, whether digital or paper, getting lost or tossed is indeed a problem. That's why a digital version should be placed in a safe place like a genealogy site, where future generations can search, or with a service, like Permanent.org, where you can pay once and be able to pass access down from generation to generation. In my class, My Ancestor Box, I also recommend saving a curated set of physical photos you can pass down, but physical photos can only be given to one descendant-unless you digitize and print additional physical copies. So physical and digital work together...and eventually all we'll have is digital. So we better make sure we have a safe way to store them!
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Astugfirrula
2:54 did that updated software ever get released? Thank you for the pdf and the thorough review, you are the only one online to find, basically. Im an artist and just ordered one to do prints of my watercolors, and your guide will come in handy!
H @timothy790110-Your welcome! Regarding your question: I still have the original PlustekPro I reviewed in this video so I don't know if they've updated the instructions or not. I've recently added a few updates to the downloadable PDF to explain some quirkiness and how to handle it, so if you just downloaded it you have my latest version. All the best with your watercolor prints!
@@FamilyHistoryHero Thank you! I think i will either use Vuescan or Silverfast to control the scanner. They also give you greater control and you can get RAW images out of it!
@@FamilyHistoryHero I ended up returning the scanner. it was impossible to scan watercolor paper, it would blow out the white of the paper every time, no matter how much i fiddled witht he settings. shame.
@@timothy790110 Oh no! So sorry to hear it didn't work out for you! You probably need to take your art to a business dedicated to scanning fine art.
@@FamilyHistoryHero Yes its a shame as it would have been very convenient. Even with the higher rez that the 320L has, it wouldn't have worked. blue skies went more towards Purple. I ended up just taking photos with my sony a7r iv, and a color checker passport. bit more laborious butthe resolution is amazing and the colors are spot on. just a bit more faffing abut!
I was trying to decide between wolverine and kodak. Wish I had found your video earlier 😮💨. Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Appreciate the tip, very insightful
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What a great video! Definitely going to check out your site
I was hoping to use this PDF but a pop-up ad “Click Funnels” ad is blocking access to your PDF sign up form. I tried Google and Safari and the same pop-up appeared on both.
Excellent review. Thanks.
- This may be theee best presentation I've seen for any product on KZread. Love the olde photos, too. Absolute time capsules. -
Am so glad you found Charlie's video helpful!
Gotta say this might be the video that makes me go for the OpticPro... I'm an artist looking to scan 12x12 inch canvas boards. This seems perfect. Thanks for your lovely presentation.
Yes, it does sound like a good fit-all the best on your projects!
THANK YOU!!!
You're welcome!
Hi Linda. I had contacted you about th plustek optic pro scanner. You gave me some tips for scanning. I just bought one but can’t find our conversation. Help!
Congrats on getting a Plustek scanner! Here's what I said: Scanning pages with bulky embellishments is a bit tricky, especially if the page also contains glossy photos, though matte photos can be affected as well. Bulk on the page will raise the scanner lid slightly (or a lot depending on the embellishment size) allowing light to come through that will affect the final scan. That extra light is especially bad for glossy photos as it can create a small or large glare. The only way to get around it is to not use the scanner lid and instead cover the page with soft thick material like black felt or fleece that will drape over all the scanner edges to keep out extra light. Secure the material with a few heavy objects like a stapler on the outer edges It’s kind of a pain but it works and the Plustek OpticPro is best for larger 12x12 pages since you can get the entire page in one scan. I did have to spend an hour or two adjusting my settings, but that’s just part of the process for this kind of scanner. Once you get a good setting it should work on all the pages in the album. Here are the settings I ended up using: Apply Color Matching (lower right list) Other Settings: Brightness 0 Contrast -50 Gamma: 1.40 Threshold 128 Descreen None Another option is to photograph your pages using ambient indirect light that is warm enough. (Winter light isn’t great and will give your page a cold, or even slightly blue, tint.) If you’re a member of my class: My Digital Ancestor Box, I have a whole lesson on best practices for photographing memorabilia which would apply to scrapbook pages as well. Otherwise just experiment with indirect light from a window or even outside with indirect sunlight.
Good info, but not the price. Not willing to pay that kind of money for a one time use.
Kind of depends on how much you have to scan and the time you'll save. Or you can do what I was planning to do: Get my scanning done and then sell it on eBay. But wouldn't you know... I got hooked on it and found it was helpful for so much more than larger photo albums! That's why I still have it and sometimes use it more than my Epson scanner which I've always loved but just isn't as fast and easy as my Plustek for some types of scans.
Hi Linda! This is JP from México. Thanks for these reviews, they've been so useful for me since I'm about to invest in a scanner to scan many (thick n old) photoalbums. Probably there are better versions now in 2024. My question is: do you know the model of the updated version of them? And do you know if they also have the feature for scanning negatives?... and last questions: when you're scanning a whole page from a photoalbum... do you know if the scanner automatically detects every photograph and it crop (and skew) and saves it separately in JPG? Again thanks a lot, I'm looking forward for your answers.
Sorry I didn't see this until now. The Plustek doesn't turn individual photos on an album page into individual separate scans. It just scans the entire page. If I want an individual image I use Photoshop to select a copy to save separately or I rescan it if I want to enlarge it, for example
I have over 40 x 100 double sided paged albums. All with cellophane clear plastic over each page. They are like scrapbooks, meaning more than just pictures, also newspaper clippings, added art. How can I digitize full pages, recreating the albums by digitized pages?
I have a large format Scanner (Plustek OpticPro) that can accommodate large pages like that. Without such a scanner your best option is to photograph the pages. We have a Glendan Light Box big enough to photograph pages. Those are probably your two best options.
Many thanks Linda I have tons of photos to scan, so hard to buy a good scanner here in Sydney
I hope you can find a good one! Even a good used scanner might work.
Hello, It is great to find you here. I was a long time subscriber to your emails. Anyway, I have a question about this scanner? I have 1000's of photos to scan like a lot of commenters. Does this scanner physically scan to a computer? Does it have the option to send to a phone? thank you.
Nice to "see" you again! Regarding your question-The answer is yes. It sends the scans to your computer via a cord connected to your computer or via wifi. It looks like it can also send to a phone. Check out some FAQs about the Epson FastFoto 680W here: epson.com/Support/Scanners/FastFoto-Series/Epson-FastFoto-FF-680W/s/SPT_B11B237201#questions
Thank you very much for this information, Linda. Learning about the CCD sensor is helpful making a decision to purchase a scanner.
DVD's are obsolete and the drives of almost obsolete so whether a fire or flood occurs... it is the same results i.e.. lost old photos are gone. And, I have thousands of old albums of misc. pictures in poor condition. And I have had a stroke so I am limited how to store/save and share these old photos! You have suggested many ideas but most cost money, buy something or pay someone etc... I can barely enter a password Twice and Google AI is helping me write right now and all available moneys goes to pay my medical bills. I used to be an field service entrepreneur and I understand a scanned photo requires a photo scanner to reproduce on printer or LCD respectfully. I have time now that my blood pressure is under control, but I don't have patients or money to invest. I'm Looking for a descent method to capture and old photos in Picasa unlicensed version, or un-pay per view as if I gave albums to give my son and his newborn. Many of your ideas are great but cost $$. I have to find the good enough method in order to pass on the old photographs to future generations.
My dad did something that was easy, didn't cost him any additional money, and saved old family photos from his growing up years that I enjoy to this day. He took photos (back then with a camera) of old family photos owned by other members of his large family. Today you can use a cellphone. They take surprisingly good photos of paper photos if you can hold your hand steady. If you can't ask someone else to help you. There's always a way.
I just know I need to go to Israel for the bread rolls 😊😊😊
Just purchased a Kodak Slide & Scan! I've got a simple question and can't seem to find the answer. When using this, does the SHINY side go in facing up? Or facing down?
What is your opinion of the Plustek OpticPro A320E - A3 CCD Sensor Flatbed Scanner, 12" x 17" scan Area with 7.8 Second Speed. Windows,Mac, ICA & Twain Compliant listed on Amazon -- it lists for 549?
I've never used it but it sounds great! Plustek changes the letter in the name whenever any change is made-even something really minor-so essentially it's probably the same scanner I have and love. As long as it uses CCD you have the quality you need. The one area that isn't as intuitive on the Plustek is their manual! So I made a PDF with tips for new users. You'll find the link to download the PDF below the KZread video where I review the Plustek Optic Pro 320 OL. Here's the link to that video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a4qtppaiadq0pcY.html. (Click "more" in the description below the video to find the PDF download link.)
I have an Epson V370 photo scanner. Is this a good scanner?
I don't personally use every scanner available for purchase so your best bet is to click the "MORE" button in the description below this video to see the link to my other video called How To Choose A Good Flatbed Scanner. It tells you exactly how to know if your scanner will be a good purchase!
Which one does the Epson fast foto 680W have? CIS CCD?
Interestingly it has a CIS scanner device (which isn't as good as a CCD device) but something about the way it's put together and the software it uses makes a difference. It's not QUITE as good as a flatbed CCD scanner but it's amazingly good for the average photo. You can see the slight difference in my review of the Epson FastFoto 680W here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/eYV2usmrdqzKaNo.html. I wouldn't use a FastFoto scanner for compromised photos that are seriously "bad" especially too dark, but for the average decent photo it's a real timesaver.
Did you include the video of “the secret to choosing a good flat bed scanner”
Yes! It's right here on this page. Just click the "MORE" button in the description below this video to see the links I mention in the video which includes How To Choose A Good Flatbed Scanner. All the best!
Hi there. Any preference for the type of computer you use? Apple vs other?
Charlie and I have been die-hard Mac users since laptop computers became available but we know many people who use Windows and love it just as much-so use whichever platform you have. It won't affect the quality of your scans if you use the right scanner!
Thanks, I’ve got to replace our Macbook (I’d prefer the I-Mac) pc bc it is soooo slow. Just wondered if there were any connectivity issues using a Mac product with the scanner you recommended. Apparently not. Thx again.
Linda, Just saw your video introducing your “new” business in preserving family history. Love it! Joan
Thanks Joan! I hope all is going well for you too!
Bravo! A review with very detailed examples and explanations. Thank you!
Thanks Linda. Would you please consider updating this review with the Plustek OpticPro A320E scanner?
@markreimer6538 I don't normally upgrade scanners unless there's something really new and different. I also know that Plustek changes the number on the name no matter what the change, large or small. It could just be a different screw! So I went to Plustek's website and started a chat: Me: Has anything significant changed since the Plustek Pro A320L? I have the A320L and have filmed a review of it that has reached a lot of people and now I'm being asked to review the A320E-which I don't plan to do but I'm curious to know if it's essentially any different than the one I have. Plustek: "Thank you for contacting Plustek Support. The A320E has a lower maximum DPI which is 800. That is the only significant difference." Back to you, Mark- Hope that helps-I'm guessing it's a little cheaper because of the lower maximum DPI but the quality will be the same. And you will RARELY need to use dpi bigger than 800 to get a fabulous scan. You only need more when you have tiny little pictures or slides that you need to greatly enlarge and that's not what this scanner is for. It's for average to large items.
I have watched a zillion videos! This is it!! Plastic excellent! Color coding excellent! And sorting them by childhood and then separate once they are married! BINGO! I was struggling with this on my son and this is the most simplistic way! Love it!!
@lauralonati7048 Glad it was helpful! I struggled with organization way too long before I finally came up with this system. It has worked very well for me and many others. All the best in your project!
@@FamilyHistoryHero well thank you for putting this video out there!
I didn't get info I wanted, my photos r sticky in front pictures,I don't care ab back, need to clean or? The front , so I can frame them please help... !!!👍👍👍
Here's a link to a good article on what to do: imagerestorationcenter.com/old-photos-stuck-together/ Caveat-I haven't had to try this myself but I've heard of others having success using this method. AS ALWAYS: Test it on ONE set of stuck photos first before doing the rest-use your least desirable set of stuck photos to test out this technique.
I ended having a mess, an thier my kids only pictures I have when they were small, but mine r sticking to each other in front, not back !
Hi, Your revive is good, I need quality and large number of old photos. What do you think Epson Perfection V39 II is better quality ? I can scan 10-20 photos per day if quality is good. Epson Perfection V39 II has 4800 dpi. can you give a comment please. In your review scan photo v600 is better
The key factor in a scanner is the image sensor that's used-not how much dpi it can give you. That's why I don't recommend the cheaper scanners. They use a cheaper image sensor that does a decent job on really good photos that have good lighting and color but they don't do well on photos with shadows or tints of color such as faces that are a little red. They actually accent the problem and you'll get really bad looking scans. Watch this KZread video where I compare the two sensors on both good and less than good images and you'll see the difference: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a4qtppaiadq0pcY.html The comparison is on a Plustek scanner but the principle is exactly the same for Epson scanners-you get what you pay for.
Thanks for the reply, Is Epson Perfection V39 II better ? how to find out what sensor used ?
@@nihalbasnayake2199 I don’t test every scanner on the market and I don’t even keep up with each new version of the flatbed scanner I use. So the short answer is usually no-I can’t give you my opinion about the model you’re considering. But I did look up the sensor used by the Epson Perfection V39 II and as I suspected, it uses the cheaper image sensor so I do NOT recommend it! The scanner I’ve used for years and highly recommend is the Epson V600 flatbed scanner. It’s moderately priced, anywhere from $150 on sale to around $300, and yet it creates excellent scans-as good as the more expensive Epson models where you’re mostly paying for more bells and whistles or size. The key factor for creating excellent scans that look like the original photo is the image sensor-not how much resolution (dpi) the scanner can give you. That's why I don't recommend the cheaper scanners. They use a cheaper CISS image sensor that does a decent job on really good photos that have good lighting and color but they don't do well on photos with shadows or tints of color such as faces that are a little red. They actually make the problem worse-the faces get redder or oranger or whatever problem color the photo has and the shadows areas get darker so you lose detail. The more expensive CCD sensor does an excellent job of reproducing the original photo. If you want to see my comparison of both sensors used on the same photos watch my demo video called: Review: Plustek Large Format Scanners. Here's the link: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a4qtppaiadq0pcY.html The comparison is on a Plustek scanner but the principle is exactly the same for other scanners-you get what you pay for: The cheaper image sensor with lower quality is the CIS Sensor. The more expensive sensor with great quality is the CCD image sensor. Image Sensor information is usually listed in the “Technical Specifications” -usually way near the end of the sales page on a site like Amazon. Sometimes, though, they simply don’t list it. (When I looked it up they didn't list it for the Epson Perfection V39 II.) If you don’t see this information: Open a new web page and in the search field enter the name of the scanner you’re interested in, e.g. Perfection V19 II/V39 II Add the word “manual” at the end like this: Perfection V19 II/V39 II manual Press Enter or Return and you'll almost always get the manual or "Users Guide." Look for "Technical Specifications." If it says CISS don't buy it. If it says CCD you know you have a higher quality scanner that will do a good job on your photos.
Thank you very much for the information
I have a hundred albums, but a) they are 12 x 16 and b) they are tightly bound so only open to 0 degrees. I have an A3 scanner, but they books don't lie flat.
With photo albums or books that don't lie flat on a flatbed scanner you have to scan them one page at a time with the opposite side hanging over the edge outside the scanner. It takes a little more time but it works quite well! Another option you may not have considered is dismantling at least some of the albums and scanning all the pages in the original order to create a digital album in PDF format. A hundred physical albums is a HUGE amount to pass down to future generations and not all albums are created equal! So here's something to chew on... I kept a few of my very best albums and tossed the rest after scanning all the pages and removing only the best photos that I felt were worthy of keeping. As family historians we tend to think everything is equally important and must be preserved in physical form, exactly as it is, but that just isn't true. In fact, Good is often the enemy of the Best because it makes the amount of stuff we have look and feel overwhelming-not just to us but also to our descendants. Just something to think about...
Thank you ! That "overhang" idea is genius ! But would miss out the edges of the pages. But I'll try that. 71 of my grandmother's albums, now in a "museum" to which I have "privileged access". 29 are my mother's, and generally are worth keeping - they may go to the same "museum". My mother had a 16mm cine camera that she took "out into the Bush of darkest Africa" in 1936 - no roads, no cars ! I have 10,000 ft of film to digitise . . .
I was blown away by all the information present it!! Thanks a lot!! Great video!!💫💫💫
You're welcome-glad to be of help!
What abt the gum behind the photo?
If you're talking about the gum left on the album page, that's something I don't worry about because my goal is to remove all the photos from the photo album-especially when it's an older magnetic album that isn't photo-safe.
Hi Linda! I’ve been revisiting this video often as I make the decision on which scanner to invest in. I have 42 filled to the max CM albums I want to scan. I hope you can answer a question for me. Is there a big quality difference on scanning 12x12 albums with the optic proA320L versus the 320E? The E is 800 dpi and L is 1600dpi. You compare the optic slim which I think is 1200dpi. The price difference is pretty significant between the 320L and E tabloid. So hoping you can respond to my question. Thanks again for all your great info and advice!
Hi Amy-the quality difference has nothing to do with the amount of dpi-as long as you scan at 300 ppi or above. You only need a higher ppi (dpi) when you want to enlarge a photo or scrapbook page without losing quality and with Creative Memory albums you generally don't need to increase the size-unless you have a small picture on a page that you want to enlarge. I scanned all my CM albums at 300 ppi and got excellent results. And if I wanted to enlarge an individual photo I rescanned just that photo at 600 or 900 ppi, depending on how large I wanted the photo to be. The quality of the scanner itself has to do with the image sensor in the scanner. A CCD sensor will give you better quality results than a CIS sensor. Were you able to see the difference in quality watching the video? I didn't change the dpi. The only difference was the image sensor. Often you can only know the kind of sensor you have by searching for it in the instructions document and scrolling down to the technical information way at the bottom. This document should be available online if you search for it. Hope that helps!
I've removed my photos from a sticky "magnetic" album, but I can't find a way to remove the large number of little sticky spots on the back. The Goo Gone technique seems hard when I can't even see the sticky spots because they're so tiny.
It's true that getting rid of the sticky part is time consuming and can be frustrating. So don't feel obligated to do so if you're able to simply scan the photos and print them. The original paper isn't sacred! It's the photo that matters. PLUS...you're able to upsize small photos and/or edit them before printing so you end up with a much better photo!
@@FamilyHistoryHero which oil should be used?
@@farhatasheer6682 Use Goo-Gone to remove sticky residue from the back (or front) of a photo. Before trying this be sure you watch the video to know which photos to avoid. (Essentially older photos printed on paper with no coating on the front or the back or both.)
Thank you, Charlie. This was one of the best reviews I've watched. There are a number of scanner units. You've helped me understand both the units but helped me consider that the choice depends greatly on my goals for using the photos once the slides are scanned. Great comparison information and your recommendations were perfect for me.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for doing this video. I found it to be very helpful. I have about 1 thousand slides and pictures to scan and this gives me a good idea of what resolution to use.
All the best on your scanning project!
You are the BEST Linda! Thanks you previous courses with you my photos are safe and most digitized. I still have lots to do with them yet. I do intend to get back to them.
Wonderful, Priscilla! So glad to hear of your success and am so pleased to have been part of your journey!
Where to buy that small portable scanner?
Unfortunately the company no longer sells the Doxie Flip scanner. I was sad when I heard that! You might be able to find a used one on the internet.
I took one of your online classes several years ago...to fix several heritage photos. My Mother was sooo amazed. She is our family archivist. Credits go to you for sharing your experience. So...thanks!
Thanks for sharing your success getting the photos fixed after taking my class! It really is like magic!
thank you!!
You're welcome!