Dave Hamilton
Senior Member
My Dear Nikonite Friends,
I need some help finding a large format flatbed scanner. I have retired from my job as a school administrator and I plan on pursuing a sideline photographic business. I have been shooting in the parks for kids playing sports in areas where paying for a normal team photo is out of the question. Last year I started doing senior pictures for students that normally would not have been able to take senior pictures due to cost. I can honestly say that I’m not taking business away from the “big boys” because most of the students I’m shooting would have just gone without any pictures at all.
For about 10-years I have been helping families with digital photo restoration for memorial services and anniversary celebrations. I tended to not charge what my services were worth, and now that I could use a decent supplement to my income it’s time for me to expand this portion of my business.
I have had several people come to me over the years that have large portraits that simply would not fit in my legal sized scanner. In the past apologized and sent them on to other people, but now I would like to finally purchase a high quality large format flatbed scanner. I would like to be able to go to at least 11x17, perhaps even larger. I am not interested in printing because I have this done professionally by a friend who owns equipment that is way above what I could ever afford.
I’m putting a budget limit of $3000-$4000 on this scanner. It needs to be flatbed because I want to be able to bring in portraits that are 100 years old and not worry about damaging them. Many of the large format scanners would rip an old photo or portrait to shreds. I refuse to allow that to happen.
If you own a large format scanner that you would recommend I would love to hear your opinion. Thanks in advance for your help.
I need some help finding a large format flatbed scanner. I have retired from my job as a school administrator and I plan on pursuing a sideline photographic business. I have been shooting in the parks for kids playing sports in areas where paying for a normal team photo is out of the question. Last year I started doing senior pictures for students that normally would not have been able to take senior pictures due to cost. I can honestly say that I’m not taking business away from the “big boys” because most of the students I’m shooting would have just gone without any pictures at all.
For about 10-years I have been helping families with digital photo restoration for memorial services and anniversary celebrations. I tended to not charge what my services were worth, and now that I could use a decent supplement to my income it’s time for me to expand this portion of my business.
I have had several people come to me over the years that have large portraits that simply would not fit in my legal sized scanner. In the past apologized and sent them on to other people, but now I would like to finally purchase a high quality large format flatbed scanner. I would like to be able to go to at least 11x17, perhaps even larger. I am not interested in printing because I have this done professionally by a friend who owns equipment that is way above what I could ever afford.
I’m putting a budget limit of $3000-$4000 on this scanner. It needs to be flatbed because I want to be able to bring in portraits that are 100 years old and not worry about damaging them. Many of the large format scanners would rip an old photo or portrait to shreds. I refuse to allow that to happen.
If you own a large format scanner that you would recommend I would love to hear your opinion. Thanks in advance for your help.
