I know some of you do design and all that besides being audio geeks, so I'm asking here (searched, couldn't find any previous topic.)

My Umax Vista S-12 (a SCSI!!!) is no longer usable, and frankly, is so laughably outdated that it's high time for me to get a new flatbed scanner.

Here are my needs:

1) The ability to scan 8 1/2 X 11 pages
2) Either a built-in transparency adapter or the option to purchase one separately
3) A freakin' high resolution
4) Gotta work seamlessly with Photoshop/CS2/CS3

I prefer Firewire, but I have been told that the USB 2.0 scanners they have now are just as fast as the FW ones, so I'm not picky. It doesn't have to be wafer-thin. I might be scanning negatives with it (just for reference, since I have access to a real negative scanner to make scans to print from)

I don't want to spend like $500 on one unless it's really, really worth it, but I would be ok with spending about $250 or $300 for a good one.

I just bought a CanoScan LiDE 600F. Works great. Was under 300 and it has a separate attachment for scanning film negatives.

I concur, the Canons are great. LIDE series are also even cheaper.

I've used the epson photo series (1600, 2400 and 3200) at school the they are pretty good, especially for film. The slides aren't as good as a nikon film scanner or anything, but they're definitely usable and the scanner would be head and shoulders better than a umax.

I think the 2XXX and 32XX series are pretty cheap now. I can't remember the exact model numbers.

Microtek Scanmaker series. I have used several versions of this line of scanners and they keep getting better.

It's got the most solid icc profile implementation I've seen and dependably deliver accurate color. I've scanned 4x5s on them and sent them off for print and been completely satisfied with the results.

I just bought an Epson V500 Photo scanner for about $250. What sold me on it is it uses an LED light source, so you don't waste a lot of time waiting for the lamp to warm up. I've been really happy with the scans and the price is right.