Customer Reviews

EPSON Perfection 3200 PRO Color Scanner, B11B156081

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found the Epson 3200 to be an excellent upgrade from my Epson 1640. The Epson twain and the Smart Panel software worked without any problems and the scans are great. What would improve their software is to provide a PDF file for the User Guide instead of the HTM file. What I was disappointing in was the SilverFast software. After changing a few settings the software stopped working altogether. LaserSoft, the company that makes SilverFast, does not provide any non-chargeable phone support for installation problems. Many companies offer a 30-day free installation support but not LaserSoft. Fortunately, I found a software upgrade on the Internet but it does make one wonder about quality control. Also, I found their manuals difficult to read. It appears that they were written by engineers and embellished by product management. A good technical writer and editor could certainly improve the documentation.

The scanner does a good job on both transparencies and negatives using the included carriers and is a relatively affordable way to digitize those older negatives and slides. The Silverfast software included is quite difficult to use, with meager, unclear documentation. Even purchasing the Taz Tally book may not be helpful, as it too is complicated and incomplete. The Epson software included with the scanner is simpler to use and gives adequate results, especially when scanning into Photoshop.

Given the choice between the standard 3200 or the pro version with the Silverfast AI software, I would now choose the standard version. The savings can be better spent elsewhere.

I've had several scanners over the years but this is the best one yet. I found it particularly good on a wide variety of photo formats, especially negatives of all common sizes. I agree with others that the Silverfast software is difficult to master but it does pretty good job after learning its quirks. Also, you print out a multipage guide on how to use Silverfast and visit their web site for online tutorials.

If you know what you are doing!

This scanner can give AWESOME results if you know how scanners work, understand colorspaces and film and other technical details, I ran a laser drum scanner and did color separations for a living for way to long, I can make this scanner dance and get great results, the SilverFast software is for ADVANCED USERS, novices or people that want a one button make it perfect first time need not apply. It is complex but it is also POWERFUL!

That said, Photoshop is way more complex than most people that use it actually know or understand.

I have done nothing but 35mm negatives and postives and 4 x 5 positvies with this thing and everyone of them looked AWESOME!!!

Outside of needing EXTREME enlargements, this scanner does 99.99% of what I need it to do for high end print magazine ads.

I am sure it works in non-transparent mode just fine, I just have never needed to use it.

Pros will love it, tweakers will love it and dedicated amatures ( future pros ) will love it, it is not for grandma or mom to scan in family photos and the like.

Love the scanner. Used it frequently in my photo business with XP. Unable to do anything but basic scans w/o pro mode in Vista or Windows 7. Very upset Epson refuses support this product with current drivers. I know they want to force an upgrade to a new scanner. But why should I? Paid good $$$ for a premium product I cannot use with current OS's. Wake up Epson. Support you products. May look into other options when I can afford another high end scanner.

I bought the Epson 3200 Photo scanner and had problems with spotting of images scanned in the upper right hand corner of the scanning bed. After exchanging the first unit, I had the same problem with the replacement, which I returned for a refund. I would not recommend this model scanner to anyone. Shop elsewhere.