Question on Scanners vs Cameras

moosesr · January 16, 2004 12:38PM

I have been taking pictures of my coins with my Kodak DC290 camera and recently bought a HP 4670 scanner. I tried to use this scanner on a PCGS slab and the picture was out of focus. Anyone else experienced similar problems?

Charlie

Russ · January 16, 2004 12:40PM

Is that one of those thin scanners, maybe an inch thick or so? If it is, you will never be able to get it to take in-focus scans of slabs.

Russ, NCNE

moosesr · January 16, 2004 12:48PM

It is about a half to three eights inch thick, it is the kind you take off its holder and lay on the item you are scanning. You can see through it and see the item you are scanning.

Russ · January 16, 2004 12:49PM

Yep, you're screwed for imaging slabs. These units don't have the depth of field necessary to do it.

Russ, NCNE

moosesr · January 16, 2004 12:56PM

What kind of scanner do you use Russ?

Russ · January 16, 2004 12:58PM

<< <i>What kind of scanner do you use Russ? >>

A digital camera.

On those rare ocassions when I do scan a slab, I use an HP Scanjet 4400C. It's about three inches thick.

Russ, NCNE

BigD5 · January 16, 2004 12:59PM

I have an Epson Perfection 1240U. It's approx. 2 or 3 years old, and seems to do the trick. Not expert digital photos like some, but decent.

Skipper53 · January 16, 2004 1:17PM

Also have an Epson Perfection which gives reasonable results.
With a digital camera you can try different settings and lighting
angles.
Only a professional scanner ,which costs hundreds of dollars,
will rival a digital camera.

spy88 · January 16, 2004 1:29PM

IMO, there isn't a scanner yet made that can rival the results of a good digital camera. Even with software enhancements, it seems more WORK then necessary just to get a good image.

I can take 15 to 20 pics (est.) with different lighting, angles, etc. before a scanner with software-backed enhancements could crank out one good one.

There is the difference in price, a digital camera WILL cost you more money, but will pay you back in the short/long run if you are using the images to sell coins on say, eBay.

stman · January 16, 2004 1:34PM

<< <i>IMO, there isn't a scanner yet made that can rival the results of a good digital camera. Even with software enhancements, it seems more WORK then necessary just to get a good image. >>

I don't think these are too bad from a scanner. The coins look just like the image as well. I didn't do these, but I do have this kind of scanner now. Under 200.00 with 30.00 rebate.

mdwoods · January 16, 2004 1:37PM

Stman, I'll take the top coin for 200 and you can keep the rebate.

dlimb2 · January 16, 2004 2:05PM

With digital cameras the hardest thing is the lighting....natural light is the best I have found...

Question on Scanners vs Cameras

Comments

Leave a Comment