As far as hobbies go, few of them can match the satisfying feeling of being a photographer. Being able to capture that perfect moment in time gives a rewarding sense that is rarely matched by anything else. Unfortunately, photography gear is often far from cheap.
There are a few pieces of hardware that are invaluable to any photographer. If you have been taking photos for a significant period of time, you may find that many of your photos are not in a digital format. This is also true of many old family photos.
If you are looking for a way to convert your photos to digital files, few things work as well as a photo scanner. Unfortunately, many photo scanners take far too long to go through your images and transfer them to your computer, as you will have to go through your photos one by one. Luckily, there are scanners the Epson FastFoto FF-640 that essentially automate the scanning process.
The Epson FastFoto FF-640
A quicker scanning process improves the sheer number of photos you can digitize, and some of the best scanners can even enhance the quality of older photos. Some would say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and ones of old memories are worth even more.
Before we move on to our review of this photo scanner, let’s take a look at two aspects that are critical to any model of photo scanner. Knowing what to look for in the ideal photo scanner will improve your chances of finding the right one for your needs.
Of course, if you have already shopped for a photo scanner before, you may already know what you want out of it.
A Photo Scanner with Feeder
One of the more critical features in a photo scanner is the speed with which it can go through a larger number of photos. Scanners that can go through entire collections in a few hours are some of the more impressive models, as others will take days to transfer your collection to a digital format.
The speed of your photo scanner greatly depends on how it operates. Automated models are far faster than manual scanners, though they can sometimes jam up, so they require excellent build quality. Of course, faster photo scanners tend to be more expensive than their manual counterparts.
The FF-640 is faster versus a flatbed scanner because of it’s feeder tray. You can load 30 photos to be automatically scanned much like a document scanner. This also allows the FF-640 to be used for scanning paper-based graphics in high definition, like your children’s artwork.
The Cost
Another crucial thing to account for is the price of your photo scanner. Before embarking on your search for the best product, you have to set a budget for yourself so that you avoid overspending. Consider how vital a scanner is to you, and lay aside the required amount of money.
Of course, more expensive scanners will come equipped with more bells and whistles, along with quality of life features, but many affordable models are still useful enough. If your budget is tight, there is nothing wrong with buying a cheaper photo scanner, provided that it still works.
Specifications:
● Can scan at speeds of up to one photo per second
● Scans both sides of your photos in case there are notes to be saved
● Capable of restoring old, worn images
● Cloud connection allows one-step photo uploads
● Capable of scanning panoramic photos as well as older, fragile prints
● Uses an Auto Document Feeder with room for 50 photos
Overview
The Epson FastFoto is designed to be one of the quickest photo scanners on the market (as is evidenced by the name). Apart from the lightning-fast scanning capabilities, this model also comes equipped with plenty of features that make it much easier to use than competing products.
Fast Photo Scanner
The most impressive part of the FF-640 from Epson is just how fast it can operate. Few scanners can hope to match the maximum scanning rate of this model, though the speed will vary based on a variety of settings. The max rate for this model is around one photo every second.
This photo scanner comes equipped with a direct connection to several cloud storage services, making it much easier for you to save your photos and to back them up. Even if you want to save older pictures, this machine can restore faded colors and accommodate delicate paper without causing damage.
Another feature that makes the FF-640 substantially easier to use is the Automated Document Feeder, which eliminates the need for you to stand over the machine as it operates. All you have to do is load up the tray of the feeder, and then you can step back as your scanner does all of the work.
What Others Say
So what do other customers have to say about this product? Most buyers were impressed by the build quality of this photo scanner, stating that it is one of the top models on the market. The FastFoto was also praised for its speed (which is unsurprising), as well as its sleek, modern design.
Considering the quality of this model, there were relatively few criticisms of it. One of the more prevalent concerns about this product was the issues that it has feeding photos that aren’t entirely flat. Keep in mind that this is an issue that is present in many top photo scanners, and it is challenging for manufacturers to rectify.
Buying Advice
The FF-640 is one of the pricier photo scanners on the market, but it is well worth the money thanks to its combination of excellent build quality and additional features. There is no other scanner that can offer the speeds of the FF-640 and time is money. Of course, no matter the capabilities of this product, this price will likely be too steep for some, and that is understandable. In that case, check out our other recommended picture scanner reviews.
Conclusion
Buying the right photo scanner online can be challenging due to the massive selection of products at your disposal, but we’re confident that we’ve found a keeper in this product. We hope that this review has been able to help you decide whether or not this model is right for your needs.
