Buy a scanner, or use a pro lab?

[RyanLilly]

I have many old photograph that I would like to san or have scanned so I can create printed photobooks as christmas presents Like the ones here http://www.whcc.com/books.htm I only have the prints which are old and not the best quality to begin with. My question is can I get good results buying a scanner and doing it myself or should I see If a lab can scan them and give me a CD.

Can anyone recommend some scanners or offer me some advice?

 

[nossie]

Scanner that reads at 600dpi should do the trick. This Epson scanner is a lot like mine and it scans negatives and slides too.

 

[usayit]

Unless you are going to be doing some serious scanning (which costs a bit of money), I would just find a lab that has a good scanner. Submit a sample and examine the results before submitting a large job. Some labs return crap some return good results. Many also sell different "levels" of quality...

But a scanner is like buying another digital camera... it will cost. If you can live with just "ok" quality, then there are many inexpensive options. My feeling is to use lab.

 

[RyanLilly]

Do you think I can get good results with a $200 scanner? I'm not sure how much I would use the scanner otherwise,
But I guess I could justify spending more if I decide to scan the shoe boxes full of prints that My family has.

Its been years since I have used a scanner.
Are inexpensive scanners decent quality there days or do you still need to spend quite a bit?

 

[usayit]

I personally have not been totally with cheaper scanners. But that is just me... you can't quantify my requirements to yours.