I bought a CCD scanner. Now I can scan paintings better
So I went scanner hunting! I'd been using a Canon scanner/printer for a number of years and the machine was falling apart so I went looking for another scanner. I got an Epson L6370 scanner/printer to replace it but found that the scans for the L6370 were terrible for scanning illustrations. There was some over-sharpening going on and I could not get the same level of details I got with my old Canon scanners. That's when my quest began.
I did some digging around on the internet and found that the scanners I'd been using previously all used a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) sensor. Those are most ideal for scanning documents. But I found that the CIS sensors on Canon scanners, like the Canoscan Lide (which I used to use to scan my sketchbooks) were pretty decent for scanning illustrations. It could capture really fine details when I scanned at a very high resolution like 600dpi and above. But the CIS sensor on my new Epson L6370 wasn't terrible at capturing the fine textures of paper and ink details. So now, if I was a student or someone on a tight budget, and wanted to buy a basic scanner with a CIS scanner, I'd still stick with a Canon (A Canon Lide 400, for example). I would NOT go with an lower end Epson with a CIS sensor.
However, I found that if I wanted a scanner that could scan illustration really well, I'd buy a scanner with a CCD sensor. Professional illustrators, like Rebecca Green, use scanners with a CCD sensor to scan illustrations for picturebook, for example. These CCD sensors have a higher dynamic range and capture more details and variation in color, etc (I won't go too deep with the tech specs.) But they are also more expensive. Since I do client work involving scanning natural media paintings, and I do picturebooks, I was interested. And, although the price range was rather steep, I could buy it as an investment.
However, I found that if I wanted a scanner that could scan illustration really well, I'd buy a scanner with a CCD sensor. Professional illustrators, like Rebecca Green, use scanners with a CCD sensor to scan illustrations for picturebook, for example. These CCD sensors have a higher dynamic range and capture more details and variation in color, etc (I won't go too deep with the tech specs.) But they are also more expensive. Since I do client work involving scanning natural media paintings, and I do picturebooks, I was interested. And, although the price range was rather steep, I could buy it as an investment.
I narrowed down my options to these CCD scanners:
1. Epson Perfection V850 Pro
2. Epson V600
3. Plustek opticPro A 320 E4. Canon CanoScan 9000F Mark II
I was considering the size of scanner (Do I want an A4 or A3 scanner?), the pricing, and also the dynamic range. I tried stitching together a bigger painting in Photoshop and it could do it very quickly and seamlessly, so I realised I didn't need an A3-sized scanner. But did I need the highest dynamic range (detail capturing ability)? Will most people even notice the difference? Eventually, I decided to go with the Epson V600 scanner, which was good but with slightly lower specs and at a lower price. But then...
I could not find the Epson V600 on sale anywhere! Not even online! I contacted Epson and they didn't have it! They had discontinued it and the stock in Singapore was gone! All gone! I couldn't find the CanoScan 9000F Mark II online either. The internet revealed that these Epson CCD scanners were launched more than 10 years ago and Epson had stopped producing them, with no plans to make new improved ones. My guess is that most people don't scan art anymore? People like to draw digitally now? Is that it? That's sad if that was true.
In any case, the only option remaining was the Epson Perfection V850. It has been discontinued, but Epson Singapore still had remaining stock. Note that this is a product that is more than 10 years old! But it is still considered one of the best scanners for scanning photos and illustration by many. I swallowed the enormous price tag and bought it. Gulp!
I could not find the Epson V600 on sale anywhere! Not even online! I contacted Epson and they didn't have it! They had discontinued it and the stock in Singapore was gone! All gone! I couldn't find the CanoScan 9000F Mark II online either. The internet revealed that these Epson CCD scanners were launched more than 10 years ago and Epson had stopped producing them, with no plans to make new improved ones. My guess is that most people don't scan art anymore? People like to draw digitally now? Is that it? That's sad if that was true.
In any case, the only option remaining was the Epson Perfection V850. It has been discontinued, but Epson Singapore still had remaining stock. Note that this is a product that is more than 10 years old! But it is still considered one of the best scanners for scanning photos and illustration by many. I swallowed the enormous price tag and bought it. Gulp!
The Epson V850 came with an app called Silverfast, which has an interface that looks a decade old. But I could also scan from within Photoshop if I wanted to. The quality of the scans have been amazing! At first, I was concerned if it could capture collage, but as you can see, it does a decent job.
This was painted with acrylic with collage and some pencils.
The Epson Perfection V850 in my room. I have to keep the room dry so mold doesn't grow in it!
I scanned a bigger painting with Toby. The textures come out really well. I had to stitch this together as the V850 is an A4 sized scanner. No problems with that. Below is the close-up.
A gelliplate/collage painting with acrylic.
I'm pretty happy with my first CCD sensor scanner. I do hope companies make more of these as technology evolves. Artists still need their illustrations scanned! As for me, I want to do more paintings, and even picturebooks, and this scanner will help me scan them well!
TIP: If you are in Singapore, buying the V850 from Parisilk will get you the lowest price.
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