[Blind]

I did a quick search through the archives here and couldn't find a current thread about purchasing a good flatbed scanner. The most recent one is nearly a year old.

So, those of you who use them: do you have any recommendations? I'm thinking of getting a decent flatbed to scan in some sketches to paintover in PS. I sometimes use a pretty large AquaBee pad. How do you guys scan larger media? It seems like most scanners are regular 8��11 or legal.

[Lachrymolonaut]

I have a Canon "CanoScan N 656U" that picks up the smallest details and shades accurately. Unfortunately, like you mentioned, this scanner and most others out there for ~$100 (that's what I paid for mine) are only 8.5*11. IF you are going to go for a larger format scanner, you should visit Price Grabberand Epinions and browse through brands like Canon or Astra, but there aren't to many larger than 8.5 or legal. Anyways, the only realy important thing to keep in mind is to get a reliable brand and not a brand you've never heard of or can't find any rewiews on.

later

[B0b]

when u say good flatbed scanner, whats ur budget? few hundred or a couple of thousand?

[balistic]

Depending on your needs, you might want to consider a 3+ megapixel digicam. I've got a Nikon CP995, and in conjunction with a tripod, I can "scan" anything I can hang on my wall.

It actually captures a lot more detail than my old consumer grade flatbed (can see the tooth on an 8.5x11" sheet of copy paper when it fills the frame), though I'll sometimes have to correct slight lens distortions at the edges of the image.

Not practical if you're scanning a ton of stuff, but for the occassional larger-than-letter piece, a nice digicam makes a worthy scanner.

[Blind]

You know, Brian... I think you may have solved my problem. I have a Powershot G2, and it never occurred to me that I can just use that. It's 4-megapixel and takes great pics. I'll just have to futz around with lighting and such to get a good scan. Thanks!!

[B0b]

but u can't scan an A3 size image @ 1200Dpi with a digi cam tho' can u

[Blind]

I guess not, but I'll just be bringing rough sketches into PS. I don't think I'll need super high resolution. I'll give it a shot and see if it works. I always have the option of buying the scanner if I get that into it >8)