Epson FastFoto 640 Multi Feed Scanner Review

The Epson FastFoto FF-640 photo scanner is not a currently available model. Check out my review of the latest FastFoto scanner from Epson, the FF-680W, here:
• Epson FastFoto 680W Mu...
Get your boxes of old photos scanned! www.familyhist...

[@michellepeacey8856]

Thanks Linda. I am definitely going to look into this. I was overwhelmed with the amount of pictures I have to scan.

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

A fast scanning option definitely helps. I've been really happy with the Epson FastFoto. Best to you as you tackle those boxes of photos!

[@nwf1976]

thank you so much. Your video is very informative and helpful.

[@loripohlman]

Great video! I just actually "scanned" some photos today, by taking photos of them with my iPhone. It worked pretty well. My frustration with scanners that I've had in the past (and I've had some nice ones!) is that they are an expensive investment which one day become obsolete because the manufacturer is not updating the software to run on the newer operating systems. It's annoying! I look forward to more videos from you on this topic, as I have hundreds of photos of my first-born son--he was born in the late 90s just before we got a digital camera. I am still trying to figure out if I should buy another scanner (my Epson Perfection no longer works with Windows 10 since one of the updates)--or if I should outsource the scanning. Thanks again for an informative video.

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

@LoriPohlman I can sympathize with the update problem. I have an older laptop I'm hanging on to for that very reason-to run old software. But really, companies should update their software!!! Deciding whether to buy a scanner and invest your own time or have someone else do it is a balance of what will cost more in the long run and/or how you feel about both options. Have you tried the Unfade Pro app for iPhone? That's my favorite free smart phone photo scanner. (Not available for Android.) It's nice because it keeps your photos square. But if you have lots of 3x5 or 4x6 photos from the 90's the Epson FastFoto scanner is really a great option for getting them scanned. The older version that I have is now a lot cheaper than it was when I bought it and you can pretty much get all those photos taken care of in short order.

[@schneeg]

Use vue scann to keep your old scanner working also you can use windows scann to keep your your old scanner working on windows 10

[@loripohlman]

FINALLY about to get started with this project (just unpacked the scanner which was a Christmas gift!!!) and I am watching this very helpful video again. Linda, which dpi did you end up choosing? 300dpi? 600dpi?

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

Congrats on getting started with your new scanner! I use 600dpi for almost every image-gives me more options for zooming in and cropping. The exception is large photos (8x10) and sometimes 5x7 if it's a closeup image where I'm not likely to enlarge it. But any photo that has people at a distance or a large group where individual faces are small would be a good candidate for 600dpi.

[@jmtw5246]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. I am currently using my iphone to scan, Genius scan is what I use for documents, but I looked into an Epson scanner and I have to say they are very expensive!

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

@Sequoia27 I haven't tried Genius scan yet-in fact, it's the first time I've heard about it. Regarding the cost of the Epson scanner, it's true it's more expensive that a middle-of-the-line flatbed scanner but if you consider the cost of your time-especially if you have a lot of photos-it can actually be cost effective. Also, the previous model is not quite a bit cheaper than the current model, so that's an option.

[@chrischournos9783]

Hi Linda Do you know if this scanner is supported on Mac Os ?

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

Yes! It works great on a Mac, which is what I use.

[@phillipquinones3216]

My fastphoto is horribly slow. I have to use a wired connection (forget about using wife) and I frequently get the "BUMMER" error which erases the batch scan. It also holds "scanning in process" for several minutes and doesn't even finish processing the batch. I have to frequently restart the application and power cycle the scanner. I run it on 600 DPI with auto enhancements as a TIFF file and group by size. That's my story, wondering if anyone else experienced it too.

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

Phillip, which operating system is your computer running, and how old is your computer?

[@TheJakobLott]

What resolution do you prefer?

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

For regular sized photos (around 4x6 inches) I use the 600 ppi option.

[@TheJakobLott]

@@FamilyHistoryHero any need to ever go higher?

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

@@TheJakobLott Yes, if your photo is small you may want to use a higher resolution. Watch my KZbin video on resolution here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqCyeKqDbZarrrc The Epson FastFoto scanner may not have all the options you might want for scanning. The one I own and reviewed here had only two options: 300 ppi or 600 ppi. I believe the newer model gives you more options but I haven't personally checked it out.

[@robinlillian9471]

If you don't pre-scan photos, you will end up with cropped photos that look strange.

[@FamilyHistoryHero]

Hi Robin-not sure what you mean by pre-scan photos as the Epson FastFoto has no pre-scan option like regular flatbed scanners do. With flat bed scanners you do need to pre-scan and select the area for the final scanning to make sure the entire photo fits into the scanned area. With the Epson FastFoto that isn't necessary. The only thing it cuts off a bit are the irregular "deckle" edges of heritage photos, but that doesn't affect the photo itself.