Home > Consumer Reviews > HP ScanJet G4050 Photo Scanner - Flatbed scanner - 216 x 311 mm - 4800 dpi x 9600 dpi - Hi-Speed USB

Despite mixed reviews I decided on this scanner to archive my medium format and 4 x 5 transparencies. The scans are excellent and prints obtained from them are better than photochemical prints that I have. The accompanying software has been criticised for being slow. If you scan in 6 colour mode with dust and scratch removal enabled, then you will wait longer for the finished product - but the scans are rewarding. However, if you're careful about putting clean transparencies into the well designed holders (better than the Epson I had previously)and ensure that the scanner glass is also spotless (which should be standard practise)then you are rewarded with quicker scan times. I now consider that 6-colour scanning is almost obligatory if you appreciate quality scans.

The G4050 is well made and the top cover has substantial hinges that keep it in place when open at virtually any angle. I am using the scanner in a Mac environment and the software is versatile although some of the settings and preferences you will find in the dropdown menus on the toolbar. It took me a while to find where to enable the 6-colour mode. However, be warned, some functions are not available with Windows Vista (it does inform you on the box), although XP etc is OK. Full driver function is available for Mac.

I find that 300dpi resolution on scans of 4 x 5 transparencies with 400 percent scaling produces fine scans, although I am well aware that most people don't use this film size and 35mm will need higher resolution scans and thus longer scanning times. I am not easily pleased, but this scanner pleases me. I feel like using film again. I did, as HP suggest try a test scan on setting up and used the A4 colour leaflet for the OCR software that comes in the box, making both a Microsoft Word and PDF version. The results were impressive. From this experience I can recommend it.

I purchased this scanner and it is one of the best for all its functions especialy in producing fantastic photos.
On the downside any update that hp have tried to send me fails to downloadand I have sent e=mail upon e-mail but they do not even acknowledge them.so the scanner is great but the after service is diabolical.
ken

Having spent some time doing research on different makes and models, I purchased a G4050 based on it's specs. Unfortunately, my excitement was short lived as the first one wouldn't even switch on. So much for HP's quality control!! The replacement turns out to be very good for scanning photos. The dust and scratch removal is quite impressive. However, this scanner is very frustrating when it comes to negatives and slides. It doesn't seem able to crop them at all well and one has to adjust the scanned area of each slide manually. I know that this isn't a dedicated film/slide scanner but I expected better reliability on this front. HP provide software for both XP and Vista but one has to open the installation guide before reading that some functions are not available with Vista. It doesn't mention which ones!!

Not only did HP not update the driver in time for the release of Snow Leopard (unlike many other companies who managed to do it in time) they have also missed their published deadlines for doing so.

As a personal customer (rather than organisation) you aren't able to complain to anyone, you just get to give them feedback.

So, if you want to get more than the 7 months of use I've had out of my G4050, and are likely to do any software updates, I wouldn't trust HP to a) keep drivers up to date; or, b) meet their own deadlines for resolution. They also exhibit a blatant disregard and contempt for their personal customers. Avoid!