Need Help Scanning Slabs

stumpy041486

Anyone have any pointers? I just recently started trying to scan coins. The coins I was scanning that weren't in a slab turned out good, but now I tried to scan a slab and it is all blurry. Anyone know what I should do to make it clear? I know it can be done because I have seen some really good scans on here. Here is one of the coins I tried to scan.

slipgate

don't scan it, invest in a decent camera with macro mode.

airplanenut

All of the high quality pictures you see here are taken with digital cameras... no scanner can possibly compare.

MsMorrisine

those are photos
(digital) slab scans don't come out... they come out blurry.

RWB

A slabbed coin is out of the focal plane of a flatbed scanner. Thet's why the coins are blurred. You'll have to use a camera.

seanq

This is a scanned image:



Here's the thing, though - that was captured with a very old optical scanner, where desktop scanners now are digital. Digital scanners have no way of dealing adequately with anything with any depth of field.

So unless you have very old or very expensive scanning equipment, I agree with the recommendations above. There's no magic formula to set up a scanner to take a reasonable picture of a slab, other than hours of trial and error. Even the cheapest digital camera will give you better results with a minimal amount of time and set-up.


Sean Reynolds

lcoopie

doesn't the scanner focus at the glass?
so anything in the slab will be out of focus

SilverEagles92

I have the same problem, most of the time.

What you need is a scanner with a deep bed. That helps, for some reason.

Also, scanners that are specifically scanners (not all-in-one printer, copier, scanner, fax machines) in my experience tend to produce better images than the combos.

19Lyds

<< <i>All of the high quality pictures you see here are taken with digital cameras... no scanner can possibly compare. >>



Scanned:







<< <i>doesn't the scanner focus at the glass?
so anything in the slab will be out of focus >>



Not necessarily, however I have no idea why the OP's scan is so crappy.

Frankcoins

The CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensor as used in dedicated flatbed scanners has a suitable Depth of Field for sharp high quality images of slabbed coins. The CIS (Contact Image Sensors) used in cheap "all in one" scanner-fax-printer-copiers cannot be used for anything other that flat items, as anything not flat against the glass will be out of focus.

coin22lover

Just a friendly suggestion here -- You would do so much better even with just a cheap $150 Canon Powershot camera.

edix2001

That Ike's got its light source coming from the wrong direction.

Boom

I used a very good scanner when I first started out.

It's true. No scanner can compete with digital photography.

That blurred image must have been taken with a hand held camera.

A scanner wouldn't be out of focus that way.

Scanners DO come in handy when checking coins considered for grading ...
they're brutally honest and do not flatter coins at all. You'll find every little flaw
with a real good scanner. JMHO- FWIW!

* Edit - spelling