Epson Perfection 3200 Photo Flatbed Scanner

by Epson

Product Details

Product Manual [762kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 16 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 18 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008ISWU
• Item model number: B11B156011
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #22 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Printers & Scanners > Slide & Film Scanners
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 8, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Epson Perfection 3200 Photo offers premium quality scanning and the versatility to handle virtually any photography application. With image quality and features comparable to that of more expensive scanners, this high-value performer produces sharp, high-quality results at lightning-fast speeds. It's versatile, as well--it scans everything from negatives, photos, and slides to transparencies, graphics, and text.

Delivering fine 3,200 x 6,400 dpi resolution, the 3200 Photo offers phenomenal clarity and detail, whatever the task at hand. With Epson's ColorTrue II Imaging System and 48-bit scanning, it consistently delivers vivid, true-to-life colors. Combining advanced imaging technology and a powerful software bundle, it provides a complete digital imaging solution. It even includes Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connectivity for Windows and Macintosh systems, plus a convenient built-in 4-by-9-inch transparency adapter. Epson provides a one-year warranty covering parts and service.

What's in the Box
Epson Perfection 3200 Photo Scanner, 4-by-9-inch transparency adapter (built into the scanner lid), 3 film holders (35mm slides, 35mm film strips, and medium format), CD-ROM with Epson Scan scanning software, Productivity Software, Electronic Reference Guide, CD-ROM with Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0, CD-ROM with LaserSoft SilverFast SE 6, USB 2.0/1.1 cable, scanner setup poster

Product Description

Max size: 8.5 in x 11.7 in Hi-Speed USB / IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Mac PCThe EPSON Perfection 3200 brings high-quality film scanning with the flexibility of a flatbed scanner. Offering an optical resolution of 3200x6400 dpi&

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

305 of 307 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT!! Great for transparencies, April 6, 2003

By 

skunktrain (So. California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Epson Perfection 3200 Photo Flatbed Scanner (Office Product)

UPDATE JUNE 28, 2011: I am still using this scanner! I now have an Intel Mac and the bundled software didn't work with Intel, but I was able to buy Silverfast's software (for about $50 I think) which works great. If you have an Intel Mac and are willing to afford Silverfast software, then this scanner will still work for you.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I had an unusual situation--a week before the 3200 was released, I bought the Epson Perfection 2450. I didn't know about the 3200. And I liked the 2450. It was fabulous. But when I discovered the 3200's release, I returned the 2450 and opted for the 3200. I'm glad I did. There is a difference. Even when I scanned the same transparency at the same setting, the 3200 usually was better--sometimes quite noticably better. It is also supposed to be faster than the 2450.

The big thing for me is the transparency scanning, so I'll focus on that. I've scanned both slides and negatives, and both are great. The color is good, I don't have to sweat bullets in Photoshop trying to salvage the scan, like I have done with previous scanners with so-called "transparency adapters". This scanner puts all the other transparency adapters I've encountered to shame. An awesome transparency adapter, indeed!

However, I have some underexposed Kodachrome slides, so they are always going to be a little more difficult. But, with some tweaking with the bundled Silverfast scanning software, my scans (even on dense, undexposed Kodachrome) have been fine.

I find scanning negatives to be quite nice as well. I get good color on them (especially when using Silverfast). However, this is not a professional level transparency scanner, and it should not be mistaken as such. (It may be surpisingly close to pro-level in some cases, however!)

The only complaint about the Silverfast software (which is a "lite" version) is that it won't scan in 48 bit. But 24 bit mode is OK for me. My file sizes (when scanning a 35 mm transparency) are about 35 to 40 MB at 3200 resolution, 24 bit. This translates to a 14" x 9 1/2" print, at 300 dpi (good resolution setting). It'll yield a much bigger print if set at 150 dpi, obviously. That's more than enough for most people using ink jet printers.

I have been frequenting a message board that has reviews on this scanner, and many professional photographers are also most pleased with this scanner. I'm not at the professional level yet ("serious hobbyist" is more like it) but I can get a bit picky with my photos. But these pro photographers were far pickier than me, and they liked this scanner. Those who were scanning large format negatives (larger than 35 mm) were very pleased with the quality of this scanner, especially for the price. They said that there wasn't that much of a huge difference (at least not several thousand dollars difference) between the 3200 and a high-end thousands-of-dollars professional scanner. Don't get me wrong--you'll still need and want a dedicated "pro" scanner for certain things, but for most people, (even some pros) this scanner more than fills the bill.

I installed it on a Macintosh G4 running OS X.2. Installation was seamless. My Mac loves this scanner! I have it attached to the Firewire port, but it comes with USB as well. I have a lot of RAM loaded on my Mac, and as usual, lots of RAM is recommended when dealing with large graphics files.

I tried the Epson "Scan" software (which will scan in 48 bit) but it's not quite as nice as the Silverfast software. (By the way, Silverfast is considered to be excellent scanning software, and sells for a tidy sum separately.) Epson's software tends to crop the negatives and slides too much when set in "thumbnail" mode. I highly recommend using Silverfast, or just avoiding Epson's "thumbnail" mode. Also, there are several plastic film holders, so your transparencies are kept in place. Very handy.

Also bundled with this scanner is Photoshop Elements 2. This "little brother" to Photoshop is an excellent software package and great if you don't yet have your own graphics software. (I had Photoshop 7 so used that most of the time.) Photoshop Elements will suit most users' needs more than well enough.

I highly recommend this scanner. And apparently, many other (far more experienced) photographers share my viewpoint. Most of the buzz about this scanner is very good.

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Scanner, Easy Setup, Kudos to Amazon for their Service, September 5, 2003

By 

Alan E. Cook "Kingsley Press" (Shoals, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Epson Perfection 3200 Photo Flatbed Scanner (Office Product)

I bought this scanner after a lot of research into scanners within my price range (under $500). This scanner's predecessor, the Epson Perfection 2450, consistently came out on top in user reviews. So, I came to Amazon, and found they had the best price on this newly released model.

HOWEVER, when the scanner arrived, it had DUST UNDER THE GLASS. There was one VERY LARGE piece of debris under there that was particularly troubling. I knew that unless I could somehow remove it, I'd have to edit every picture to take out that spot. Now I love Photoshop's "healing brush," but I don't see why I should have to use it on my own scans from a BRAND NEW scanner!! That's what I call a self-inflicted wound!

After trying for considerable time to figure out how to get under the glass and clean it, and consulting with my wife and a friend, I decided that if I took the scanner apart I would probably void the warranty and possibly do some damage. I had read that Epson support was a little lacking, so I turned to Amazon. And I'm glad I did! Without any hesitation, Amazon agreed to send me a new scanner (which arrived before I sent the original back), and paid the return shipping on the original item. I have to say that Amazon's attitude restored my faith in customer service--in fact exceeded my expectations.

By the way, Amazon sent me the replacement scanner by 2nd Day Air! (the oriiginal came by super saver shipping, i.e. FREE!).

I now have the best scanner in it's class and price range, with no dust underneath the glass!

I'll add that I am a Macintosh user (fanatic might be a better word!), and this scanner works great with my 1 Ghz Dual Processor G4 running OS X 10.2.6. The software was a breeze to install and simple to use.

Thanks Epson for a great scanner (shame about the dust!), and thanks Amazon for the best in customer service.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dust inside, but a good scanner, September 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Epson Perfection 3200 Photo Flatbed Scanner (Office Product)

Recently, I purchased the 3200 Photo. Initial setup was fairly painless, but after the first attempted scan, there were some obvious issues. The first scan had white "flecks"(dust, when scanned at 600dpi or larger looks like flecks) that covered the scan. Despite the scanner being new, and some moderate cleaning by myself trying to remove the dust particles, alas, it was not to be. The dust was inside the scanner itself, not on its scanning surface. Despite the quality scans the unit appears capable of grabbing (the images scanned, excluding the dust flecks, were top notch. They were rich in color, the adjustments by the included software enhanced the already good scan to a superb level), the dust renders this unit non-viable. I am currently working with Amazon to get a replacement, as I still desire a unit with the capabilities of this scanner, but it must go back till I get one without the internal dust.

You must also be aware that SilverFast, one of the included software packages, while providing a very user friendly scanning interface, has some rather bad issues with not finding Adobe's "plugin.dll" file. After trying some things that Epson stated would fix the problem, launching the program crashed the system and forced a reboot. Uninstalling and reinstalling it several time (3+) finally got it to quit crashing the system, but the program itself still can not find plugin.dll, no matter how many times I point it to it or copy the file itself into the directory structure of the program.

Overall, the scanner appears to have a vast untapped potential, and if you can get one without dust, and one with a copy of SilverFast that works, you will be very pleased with this scanner. I have yet to try the film scan, but if its retains the quality of the general art book scans I have performed, it will provide you with an exquisite copy of your favorite pictures.