I need some recommendations on a simple self-help way to digitize photographs. Priority is photos, but I may want to digitize some documents (if possible).
I have literally thousands of photographs in photo albums. Many of the important ones are degrading/fading, so I want to digitize many. I really want to do it myself and eventually store the pictures on DVD's and a removable drive. I have used Legacy Box to convert a bunch of VHS tapes -- that was fantastic, but didn't want to send them a bunch of old photos.
Does anyone have any recommendations on a scanner/processor to make the job easy?
but it's one by one, might take a while to do in bulk.
Also not sure DVD would be the media I chose, seems like DVDs are already being "obsoleted"
You need a top loading scanner that's designed for photo scanning. Otherwise the scanner is going to chew up your photos.
You also want a scanner that can bulk uptake photos or you're going to be sitting there one-by-one.
Epson FastFoto FF-680W is the best option on the market.
The best way to store is on an external drive. I'd recommend either buying two and cloning them. Or opting for a cloud backup. Google drive is like $1.99 a month for 2 TB.
Thanks Christian for the info.
It's expensive, but I'd rather do it myself.
The real challenge isn't scanning photos.
The real challenge is figuring out the best way to organize the photos you scan. I think you want to organize them FIRST, before scanning. And then scan into appropriate folders so you can find the photos in the future.
If anyone has any tips on this, please post them.
Return it to Amazon
Save $549
Epson perfection V39 color photo and document scanner
maybe others are higher quality, but make sure you know what you're paying for
Next project is to transfer videos, we may use a service, so if anyone has a recommendation fire away!
I have probably 50 of those early 00's popular mini dv videos mostly of my kids and their sporting events from over the years, and those canon video camcorders don't work anymore.
service to convert them to digital drive?
Next project is to transfer videos, we may use a service, so if anyone has a recommendation fire away!
Should’ve posted which one!
Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-Speed Photo and Document Scanning System, Black https://a.co/d/hX2olG1
There are cheaper versions that have similar optical quality, if you have the time to do it one photo at a time.
If you go the top loading route and use a cheaper machine, read up on the reviews. The cheaper loaders have a tendency to fold and bend paper. Especially anything over 30LB.
Return it to Amazon
Save $549
There probably aren't enough hours in a day. I estimate I'm going to convert 1400 pictures (over some period of time)...
If anyone has any tips on this, please post them.
At this point, I'd just bulk scan and then run it through the Google Photo App.
Home scanner might be a bit more cumbetsome
This was about 3 years ago and it cost me less than $300 out the door... I got my DVD's and my VHS tapes returned in about 2 weeks.
This was about 3 years ago and it cost me less than $300 out the door... I got my DVD's and my VHS tapes returned in about 2 weeks.
Do they do Mini DV too? and will they send instead of DVD a digital drive?
Quote:
I used "Legacy Box" and couldn't be happier with the service or the price. I found a Groupon special (there are lots of different discount venues) and had 47 VHS and VHS-C tapes converted to DVD. Some of my VHS tapes were broken and the Legacy Box folks were able to record the and repaired the breaks.
This was about 3 years ago and it cost me less than $300 out the door... I got my DVD's and my VHS tapes returned in about 2 weeks.
Do they do Mini DV too? and will they send instead of DVD a digital drive?
I don't think so... here's a link to what Legacy Box will transfer:
What we Digitize - ( New Window )
thanks, I appreciate it.