Everything can be done right, but it just takes time to piece together each element and make sure you're processing things in a way that works for you. Second, I've been scanning my own film for several years using all sorts of various film scanners, and let me tell you there is a steep learning curve. First, while the Epson V600 can be used for a variety of scanning applications, I'll only be talking about using it to scan film. Outside of the film holders, this is a really straightforward out-of-the-box experience.īefore I get too deep into breaking down what using this scanner is like I want to give some context. In the box you get the scanner, two plastic film holder inserts, a power cable, a data cable and an Epson software CD.

The Epson V600 retails for $229.99, although there were several deals around the web for under $200 at the time of writing this article.

Max film scan resolution: 6400 x 9600 dpi.

Others, meanwhile, are actually pretty good and affordable.

There are a lot of options when it comes to digitizing film yourself (including simply using a digital camera), but some of these methods require complex setups, some have huge equipment costs, and some just aren't very good. But, just like developing at a lab, having a lab scan your film costs money, which is why many people like the idea of scanning negatives themselves. Many photo labs offer scanning as part of their services, often using large scanners able to process a full roll of 35mm film in a few minutes. It's quick, it fits most documents, and it offers scans up to 4800 dpi to keep things looking crisp.Film continues to be a popular medium among photographers today, and whether you're an active or former analog user, the easiest way to share your treasured moments is by digitizing your film through scanning. It's available for a great price that will appeal to most people. Unless you're looking for professional-grade scans of your photos - which something like the Epson FastFoto FF-680W offers for an elevated price - the Canon CanoScan LiDE400 will handle just about everything other than film.

If you're still wondering where to turn, we can make some suggestions. Whether you need something that's cheap but gets the job done, something high quality that will genuinely represent your physical photos in the digital realm or something in between, there's a photo scanner for you. Included is Epson software to make scans straight to cloud services as easy and automatic as possible. It has a 4,800 dpi resolution to make your photo scans look great, and its flatbed design can be propped up to save space. Epson's Perfection V39 is the most affordable option on this list, but that doesn't mean it won't be all you need for home scanning.

Slide and photo scanner reviews