Epson Perfection V500 Photo Scanner
4.4
5
604
604
really nice slide scanner
Wow, the price is unbelievable for something that scans slides so well. Can only do 4 at a time but that's ok. I have the best luck scanning at 1200 dpi. Anything less and the results are pixel-y
May 28, 2012
Nice Scanner!
Purchased the V500 scanner from Staples. No issues with any included items, all nicely packaged and very easy to install/use. The start-up guide is helpful and straight-forward, but is no substitute for a comprehensive User Guide. The available User Guide (part of the software start-up) is quite detailed and daunting to follow on the computer screen while also trying to scan things. My wife and I found it best to briefly review things and then just start experimenting slow and simple, and not try to address all the bells and whistles right away.
Our objectives are the archiving of many years of snapshots (both pictures and slides), and this little unit seems to have many capabilities (it won't save a really bad shot, but it will make many shots look a little bit better). At this early stage, there are only two issues that result in four stars in lieu of five.
First, there is an apparent inability to download a User Guide (we like to keep such items for each of our electronic components). Maybe it is just the complex way in which the online guide is organized?
Second, we thus far have been unable to understand or overcome the apparent default to 96 dpi for scanning slides in the Home mode. This creates a fast scan, but the quality/clarity is lacking. This can be addressed by using either the Full Auto mode (no apparent preview in this mode though), or the Professional mode. Each of these two modes allows for user selection of the dpi for slides, with a better result. Am fairly sure we have followed the instructions. We'll probably be using the Professional mode most of the time (to allow previews), but not worry with many of the more specialized features.
All in all, the looks to be a great unit to meet our needs. It is solid and appears it will be reliable (more than we can say for a couple of cheaper alternatives, each with questionable software and reliability, like completely failing in the first day or two). The V500 is a nice scanner at its price point, and we are happy with our purchase!
December 20, 2011
Great Photo Scanner
Just purchase the new Epson Perfection V500 Photo Scanner after my Epson 1240U Scanner no longer worked with my Imac Snow Leopard operating system. Not to my surprise, the V500 worked perfectly the minute I set it up and downloaded the new software. Needless to say, they made great improvements to this new version compared to the old 1240U model. Prints were incredibly sharp and the colors were vivid. Couldn't tell the difference between the original and scanned copies.
February 24, 2013
An excellent choice
I have used this scanner to digitize well over 3000 medium format transparencies and the results have been consistently superb!
The included masks are a bit on the flimsy side so I recommend care in using them, but mine have held up well to date. I have also scanned over 1200 35mm slides and negatives with just as impressive results.
The scanner could be faster, especially when using high resolution, but that would obviously increase the cost and/or reduce the quality of the scans. I highly recommend this scanner, and have done so regularly and many people that I have recommended it to have bought it and also love it.
February 14, 2013
V500
Excellent scanner. The photo repair does a great job - restored all my 40 year old wedding pictures. My brother got the V700 which is nicer if you have a lot of scanning to do as it has a feeder. The two of us have been collecting old family photos and we have brought them back to life.
February 13, 2013
Excellent Scans
The scanner delivers very good images and works well scanninng multiple pictures. Hardware works very well; however the Epson but has a bug with Win-XP installing the Event Manager & in supporting the buttons on the scanner. Installs ok on Win 7. I am pleased with the quality of the scans and would recommend the scanner to a friend that Win-7.
February 12, 2013
good scanner
easy to use and did the trick (archiving of old photos)
February 10, 2013
Download Issues
I started downloading the setup disc and followed the directions carefully. When the download was complete I was on the home page. Later when I opened the scanner program I was on the scan page and unable to access any other page. After running throught the troubleshooting I uninstalled the program and reinstalled it but that didn't help. Each file had the exact same content. I'm not a novice when it comes to computers but I gave up. I took it to a computer specialist and was sugested I buy new scanner. I will and it will most likely not be an Epson. Very disapointed.
February 6, 2013
Good, BUT
The reproduction is excellent.
The software could use some help!
In the Full Auto mode, the program closes each time a scan is completed, so doing a large amount of scanning is tedious. The best way to use the V500 for large amounts of scanning is the Full Auto mode so one must endure the extra work for each photo.
February 4, 2013
V500
Love it. It’s very user friendly. So far I’m doing simple scanning of photos....brightens them up with good detail. I’m looking forward to the many other features.
February 3, 2013
