Topic: Scanners and Scanning Tips

[lancemountain]

Hello all,

With all of these great scans I see of slabs it's actually making me feel like I could step up my scanning game.

Any preferred scanners? Any tips or settings you could offer the group?

[Republicaninmass]

I have a question to add, what is "unsharp mask" on the scanner setting, and should raw/slabbed cards use this setting?

[npa589]

I use this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Epson-B11B200201-Perfection-Photo-Scanner/dp/B003RRY8CO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1353283634&sr=8-4&keywords=epson+scanner

I highly recommend it. Aside from being fast and providing incredible clarity - it also provides software (Media Impression) that makes it easy to stay edit and crop - while also staying organized with the files.

Regarding "unsharp mask": The "unsharp" of the name derives from the fact that the technique uses a blurred, or "unsharp," positive image to create a "mask" of the original image. The unsharped mask is then combined with the negative image, creating the illusion that the resulting image has greater visual acuity than the original. (wikipedia)

[npa589]

Keep an eye out this week for scanners on Amazon. During their "black friday week", there really are some phenomenal deals.

[sb1]

I use an Epson V33, they are dirt cheap and available at many retailers online and brick&mortar.

[lancemountain]

Nate did you scan all those slabs in your ebay store using the epson v33?

Anyone else that can offer advice? What, specifically, does a scanner need to scan a slab very well?

[thecatspajamas]

I have both an Epson 3490 and Epson 4990 and have no complaints about either. The 3490 gets the most use as it is my general workhorse, with the 4990 being reserved for slides and negatives. Both handle the "depth" of cards in slabs quite well. I worked my first 3490 to death (thousands upon thousands of scans), and when it finally seized up, picked up another one used for about $30 and I'm off and running again :)

I also have a Mustek ScanExpress A3 that I use for large-format photos and prints (larger flatbed scanner, takes up a lot of desk space). I would NOT recommend it for slabbed cards, as the LED scanner does not handle "depth" well. If it's flat against the glass, it works great, but even that small amount of separation from the card being in a slab will cause the scan to be slightly blurry.

Based on my own experience, I would recommend any Epson scanner, though there certainly may be other suitable manufacturers.

[dabigyankeeman]

You need to buy a CCD scanner. There is another type, i forget what it is, something like CCI or whatever. A CCD (charge coupled device) scanner will do cards in slabs great.

[sdkammeyer]

I use an Epson NX415. I got mine as a freebie when I bought my laptop and I love it! Never had any problems with it. Scans slabs beautifully.

http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Stylus-NX415-All-in-One-Printer/dp/B0026ZPK34

It's an all-in-one (scanner, copier, printer)so it takes up minimal desk space as well.