Scanning Coins - What Scanner?
sealladh58
years now I have been using my scanner to take pictures of coins using
setups devised after many experiments. An example of one of my coins
can be found on http://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=85135
I have been using an Epson Perfection 1640SU scanner that is still in
excellent working order. However, I have recently changed my computer
and found that the scanner cannot work on it as drivers are not
available for the Windows 7 (64-bit) Home Premium operating system.
There are drivers for the 32-bit version of Windows 7 but those will
not work with my scanner. It looks as though I will reluctantly have
to look for a replacement.
My question is what to go for. I seem to recall reading somewhere
that some of the newer models of scanners do not take as good pictures
of 3D objects such as coins. I thought there was a thread on this
discussion group on this very matter, but cannot seem to find it among
the archives on Google Groups. From my memory I think the critical
element was the light source used in scanners. The 1640 uses a cold
cathode fluorescent (CCF) lamp, but the lamps many modern scanners are
white LEDs. While these LEDs are quicker to warm up they have a short
depth of focus and are only really suitable for 2D objects like paper
or film. They also have a colder spectrum light than the CCF lamps.
Has anybody had experience of modern scanners on what, or what not, to
go for in respect of taking pictures of coins? I am not so interested
now in scanning 35mm films, I did all that years ago. I would welcome
hearing other people's opinions.
Peter
Bruce Remick
"sealladh58" <peter_...@lineone.net> wrote in message
news:5463d247-09f0-4b98...@e1g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...
From my non-technical observation, the "thicker" the scanner the more depth
of focus. I use an older HP Scanjet 6300C that sits 4� high from surface to
lid. I can scan a golf ball with almost the whole thing in focus. The type
of light source you mentioned may be a factor as well, but like I said, I'm
pretty non-technical. I don't need much depth of field for scanning coins,
so I would imagine most any current scanner would be able to handle that
issue pretty well.
note.boy
ability. Billy
"sealladh58" <peter_...@lineone.net> wrote in message
news:5463d247-09f0-4b98...@e1g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...
Mike Sommars
Before you dump your scanner, you might want to try the driver for
the Epson Perfection 2400 Photo scanner. It's supposed to work with
the 1640SU. Epson has a Windows 7 64-bit version available on their website.
Mike
"sealladh58" <peter_...@lineone.net> wrote in message
news:5463d247-09f0-4b98...@e1g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...
sealladh58
> If I were you I would buy a digital camera with a macro, close focus,
> ability. Billy
>
with macro capability but have not yet found a quick workable setup to
take good pictures. Lighting is always a problem, even when using
daylight.
Using a scanner is very quick to set up and import the picture
straight into the photo editing software. I have timed myself and
from deciding to take a picture of a coin to having the finished,
edited picture on screen and saved takes less than three minutes.
Peter
sealladh58
> Peter,
>
> Before you dump your scanner, you might want to try the driver for
> the Epson Perfection 2400 Photo scanner. It's supposed to work with
> the 1640SU. Epson has a Windows 7 64-bit version available on their website.
>
> Mike
>
Thanks for your suggestion, but so far I have not had any success.
Although I can find the driver for the Perfection 2400 scanner Windows
7 won't seem accept it for the Perfection 1640. Windows detects there
is a 1640 there and I can't see a way to fool the system into thinking
it is a 2400 so that I can use the new driver.
So, I am reluctantly still searching for a new scanner. At the moment
the Epson Perfection V350 or HP Scanjet G3110 seem to be suitable.
Both seem to have downloadable drivers for Windows 7 (64-bit).
Peter
Peter
I suspect that the Epson is a bit more scanner than you need just for
coins. Naturally if you need it for other purposes, it might be a
good value. The HP seems to have the features you need, but when I
look at the reviews of it on the HP web site, they seem to say not to
buy it. I've never used this one.
gogu
news:8fa98e09-607d-4cd2...@u21g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
>Thanks for your suggestion, but so far I have not had any success.
>Although I can find the driver for the Perfection 2400 scanner Windows
>7 won't seem accept it for the Perfection 1640. Windows detects there
>is a 1640 there and I can't see a way to fool the system into thinking
>it is a 2400 so that I can use the new driver.
>So, I am reluctantly still searching for a new scanner. At the moment
>the Epson Perfection V350 or HP Scanjet G3110 seem to be suitable.
>Both seem to have downloadable drivers for Windows 7 (64-bit).
Go for the Epson.
I have the 2450 PHOTO and it still delivers excellent scannings!
I had a HP before and had only trouble with it...
As someone have mentioned, I hope I can find Win 7 drivers when upgrading my
OS (I'm still running on XP on this machine).
rgrds
--
E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
puttane! F.d.A
Coins, travels and more:
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/
http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html
Michael Benveniste
> So, I am reluctantly still searching for a new scanner. At the moment
> the Epson Perfection V350 or HP Scanjet G3110 seem to be suitable.
> Both seem to have downloadable drivers for Windows 7 (64-bit).
Have you tried using VueScan software with your current
scanner?
http://www.hamrick.com/
I found that scanning coins with my older Epson 3170 is
decidedly hit or miss, especially for slabbed coins.
Here's a sample of the variation I see even from one side
of a coin to another:
http://wemightneedthat.biz/Coins/1903HalfCentavo-Obv.jpg
http://wemightneedthat.biz/Coins/1903HalfCentavo-Rev.jpg
--
Mike Benveniste -- m...@murkyether.com (Clarification Required)
Its name is Public opinion. It is held in reverence. It settles
everything. Some think it is the voice of God. -- Mark Twain
sealladh58
> Have you tried using VueScan software with your current
>
> I found that scanning coins with my older Epson 3170 is
> decidedly hit or miss, especially for slabbed coins.
> Here's a sample of the variation I see even from one side
> of a coin to another:
>
go.
There are many techniques to try when scanning coins. I tried quite
few before hitting on my own setup and to some extent the type of
coins being scanned makes a difference. However, scanning slabbed
coins is always a problem as the plastic case deflects and reflects
light in an uncontrollable way. I avoid scanning those coins.
Peter
Relayer
I wish someone had a solution to scanning slabbed coins.
gogu
news:45144b0c-11cd-4097...@w3g2000vbd.googlegroups.com...
On May 18, 6:05?am, sealladh58 <peter_bud...@lineone.net> wrote:
>> There are many techniques to try when scanning coins. ?I tried quite
>> few before hitting on my own setup and to some extent the type of
>> coins being scanned makes a difference. ?However, scanning slabbed
>> coins is always a problem as the plastic case deflects and reflects
>> light in an uncontrollable way. ?I avoid scanning those coins.
>>
>> Peter
>I wish someone had a solution to scanning slabbed coins.
?
I wonder what you find wrong with these slabbed coins scanned with an Epson
2450 PHOTO?!
I see no reflections at all from the slab!
Maybe you have higher standards.
http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/USA%20Circulation%20Coins/
Bruce Remick
"gogu" <Ruminii_Sug_Pul@la_Greci.com> wrote in message
news:ht34n4$4ge$1...@mouse.otenet.gr...
>� "Relayer" <relay...@aol.com> ������ ��� ������
>news:45144b0c-11cd-4097...@w3g2000vbd.googlegroups.com...
> On May 18, 6:05?am, sealladh58 <peter_bud...@lineone.net> wrote:
>
>>> There are many techniques to try when scanning coins. ?I tried quite
>>> few before hitting on my own setup and to some extent the type of
>>> coins being scanned makes a difference. ?However, scanning slabbed
>>> coins is always a problem as the plastic case deflects and reflects
>>> light in an uncontrollable way. ?I avoid scanning those coins.
>>>
>>> Peter
>
>
>>I wish someone had a solution to scanning slabbed coins.
>
>
> ?
> I wonder what you find wrong with these slabbed coins scanned with an
> Epson 2450 PHOTO?!
> I see no reflections at all from the slab!
> Maybe you have higher standards.
>
> http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/USA%20Circulation%20Coins/
>
I agree. I have made dozens of sharp, high res scans of coins in slabs and
most of the time the results are quite pleasing. The only difficulties I
have are with circulated/brown copper coins. These scans seem to emphasize
every piece of lint, micro-blemish, etc. that wouldn't otherwise show in a
photo.
Relayer
> � "Relayer" <relayer...@aol.com> ����� � ����news:45144b0c-11cd-4097...@w3g2000vbd.googlegroups.com...
> On May 18, 6:05?am, sealladh58 <peter_bud...@lineone.net> wrote:
>
> >> There are many techniques to try when scanning coins. ?I tried quite
> >> few before hitting on my own setup and to some extent the type of
> >> coins being scanned makes a difference. ?However, scanning slabbed
> >> coins is always a problem as the plastic case deflects and reflects
> >> light in an uncontrollable way. ?I avoid scanning those coins.
>
> >> Peter
> >I wish someone �had a solution to scanning slabbed coins.
>
> ?
> I wonder what you find wrong with these slabbed coins scanned with an Epson
> 2450 PHOTO?!
> I see no reflections at all from the slab!
> Maybe you have higher standards.
>
>
> --
>
> E' mai possibile, oh porco di un cane, che le avventure
> in codesto reame debban risolversi tutte con grandi
> puttane! � �F.d.A
>
> Coins, travels and more:http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/http://gogu.enosi.org/index.html
Naw, I get the reflection too with my newer HP, which I didn't get
with my old Lexmark (which went bye-bye on me a while back). I
suppose I can fiddle with the settings or the software (I am using
HP's packaged software, which isn't good at all)
gogu
news:Lv9Jn.35992$304....@newsfe12.iad...
> "gogu" <Ruminii_Sug_Pul@la_Greci.com> wrote in message
> news:ht34n4$4ge$1...@mouse.otenet.gr...
>>>I wish someone had a solution to scanning slabbed coins.
>> ?
>> I wonder what you find wrong with these slabbed coins scanned with an
>> Epson 2450 PHOTO?!
>> I see no reflections at all from the slab!
>> Maybe you have higher standards.
>> http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/USA%20Circulation%20Coins/
> I agree. I have made dozens of sharp, high res scans of coins in slabs
> and most of the time the results are quite pleasing. The only
> difficulties I have are with circulated/brown copper coins. These scans
> seem to emphasize every piece of lint, micro-blemish, etc. that wouldn't
> otherwise show in a photo.
Indeed!
I had the same problem while scanning gold coins for selling on eBay...
At 300 ppi the show more that the naked eye can see!!!
gogu
news:51f1f247-804d-4ad8...@y12g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
On May 20, 5:59?am, "gogu" <Ruminii_Sug_Pul@la_Greci.com> wrote:
> >> Peter
> >I wish someone ?had a solution to scanning slabbed coins.
> ?
> I wonder what you find wrong with these slabbed coins scanned with an
> Epson
> 2450 PHOTO?!
> I see no reflections at all from the slab!
> Maybe you have higher standards.
>
> http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb120/golanule/USA%20Circulation%2...
>Naw, I get the reflection too with my newer HP, which I didn't get
>with my old Lexmark (which went bye-bye on me a while back). I
>suppose I can fiddle with the settings or the software (I am using
>HP's packaged software, which isn't good at all)
I don't think it's a software thing (the Epson software of my scanner is
spartan, too!), I believe it's the inherent capability of the scanner, the
way your scanner is scanning...
I had a HP in the old days but I never took the results I took with my
trusted Epson.
I believe that Epson is still doing the best scaners (attention! CCDs!) so I
believe you would be fine with the newer models, say the V350.
PS
The suggested VueScan software is excellent, give it a try if you think
it's a software problem!
If you still get the same results with VueScan, then it's definitely what I
said, it's just...your scanner:-)
Relayer
> � "Relayer" <relayer...@aol.com> ����� � ����news:51f1f247-804d-4ad8...@y12g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
I'll try it. It's funny because I worked for Epson for many years.
gogu
news:d6464960-82a1-4912...@k31g2000vbu.googlegroups.com...
On May 20, 4:29?pm, "gogu" <Ruminii_Sug_Pul@la_Greci.com> wrote:
>> I don't think it's a software thing (the Epson software of my scanner is
>> spartan, too!), I believe it's the inherent capability of the scanner,
>> the
>> way your scanner is scanning...
>> I had a HP in the old days but I never took the results I took with my
>> trusted Epson.
>> I believe that Epson is still doing the best scaners (attention! CCDs!)
>> so I
>> believe you would be fine with the newer models, say the V350.
>>
>> PS
>> The suggested VueScan software is excellent, give it a try if you
>> think
>> it's a software problem!
>> If you still get the same results with VueScan, then it's definitely what
>> I
>> said, it's just...your scanner:-)
>I'll try it. It's funny because I worked for Epson for many years.
Then you know what I'm talking about:-)
IMO Epson was/is nr.1 in flatbed scanners.
Relayer
> � "Relayer" <relayer...@aol.com> ����� � ����news:d6464960-82a1-4912...@k31g2000vbu.googlegroups.com...
>
> - Show quoted text -
I was working for them when they released their first one, many years
ago. This was well before "photo" anything was out. It's a good
company though and I have many many friends who still work there. I
tried the software and it wasn't any better (to me) than what came
with my HP but my HP, the scanning is really a secondary function. It
scans non-slabbed just fine but the slab reflection is still there.
Actually a little worse. Oh well.
sealladh58
> On May 17, 11:50 pm, "Michael Benveniste" <m...@murkyether.com> wrote:> Have you tried using VueScan software with your current
>
> scanner?http://www.hamrick.com/
>
> go.
>
I have at last managed to give the trial Vuescan a go and it certainly
works with my Epson 1640 scanner OK.
I have not yet downloaded the full version, but intend to do so in the
near future. The other half of my problem is now getting to grips
with a new photo editing software. Previously I had a simple package
that originally came with the scanner, but of course that will not
load under Windows 7. Luckily with my new computer I ordered
Photoshop Elements as well, so I am trying that out as well with the
trial scanned images. Although more complex than my old software it
seems to do everything I want.
Thanks for all the advice.
Peter
gogu
>I have at last managed to give the trial Vuescan a go and it certainly
>works with my Epson 1640 scanner OK.
>I have not yet downloaded the full version, but intend to do so in the
>near future. The other half of my problem is now getting to grips
>with a new photo editing software. Previously I had a simple package
>that originally came with the scanner, but of course that will not
>load under Windows 7. Luckily with my new computer I ordered
>Photoshop Elements as well, so I am trying that out as well with the
>trial scanned images. Although more complex than my old software it
>seems to do everything I want.
It has a "Quick Fix" option which works quite well (most of the times)...
I have version 5 and version 7 and I'm happy with it.
Good value for money, especially version 7 now that v.8 is released!