Scanning photos with sheet feeder - paper path?

[zenpicker]

I need to scan some old photos and would like to use the sheet feeder because there are quite a few. Of course I don't want to damage them in the process, though I would use the flatbed for anything really fragile. Does the paper path in the M281 have twists and turns that would be a concern? I know some photo scanners have a straight-through path, but in my research on this there are some (other brands) that seem to advertise bulk feed. I'd rather not buy another scanner if my printer's is up to the task.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[Valsimot]

Don't scan photos trough sheet feeder because of the twist and turns inside sheet feeder. It will jam and possible damage your photo. When a plain paper is passing through sheet feeder for scanning it gets really twisted (like U shaped), photos because of their weight will jam and stay twisted.

[zenpicker]

Thanks. In the mean time I experimented with some photo notecards of various sizes and they did ok, but for more valuable (or not totally intact) photos I think you're right. It's a drag to use the flatbed for so many, but I think I'll be cautious and patient!

Appreciate the quick reply.

[zenpicker]

Just as a followup...my wife used the sheet feeder to scan more than 100 old photos without a hitch. No jams, pretty good alignment (though rotated 90 degrees in order to fit the feeder guides), good quality output. They fed really fast, as well.

So - it works, but we were very cautious with anything fragile or curled/bent/spindled in some way, and she did these on the flatbed. I certainly wouldn't risk the sheet feeder with really high value photos.