Why did I wait so long to get a proper scanner? Loving my CanoScan 9000F!

[jb217676]

I finally replaced my old 2-In-1 Canon with a CanoScan 9000F (with CCD scanning element). Wow, what a difference! Took me 3 weeks but I re-scanned everything I own and love the results. If you remember the old scans on my site, boy were they blurry! The new scans are really crisp and bright, I don't know why I didn't do this earlier. I also scanned the cards with the lid up for maximum contrast. Highly recommend having a proper scanner, makes all my cards feel new again!

Check out the new scans: http://imageevent.com/jeffintoronto

Here's a before (pre CCD) and after (post CCD). It's not pre-war baseball, but I felt this card best illustrates the difference.

[Wymers Auction]

I have the same scanner and I really like it also. I just started using the auto detect and man what a time saving feature. I wish it was a higher resolution scanner, but for the price it is great.

[DeanH3]

Great looking scan. I'm also wanting to get a nice scanner but keep dragging my feet. Funny I will spend $1K+ on a card but get jelly leg spending $90 on a scanner. Go figure. Thanks for sharing.

[Ladder7]

Yep, the Chinese make good stuff.

[lharri3600]

Wow JB,
what a difference

[DixieBaseball]

Jeff - I switched to the 9900F scanner a few years ago and it is night and day difference. I don't think a lot of folks know how inexpensive this scanner is... For a few hundred bucks you can present your cards the way they were meant to be seen... That MJ pops now.

[GoldenAge50s]

Originally Posted by Wymers Auction

I have the same scanner and I really like it also. I just started using the auto detect and man what a time saving feature. I wish it was a higher resolution scanner, but for the price it is great.

---What does the auto detect do? I assume it's on my CanoScan 5600f also.

[Jay Wolt]

Quite the difference

[Al C.risafulli]

That's the official scanner of Love of the Game Auctions.

-Al

[digdugdig]

Great post Jeff, not your usual post but...call it "Net54 Consumer Reports".
All the gadgets and gizmos you need these days to BST...great info...opinions... been there, done that, etc.... on scanners/printers and such. If I'm looking to purchase, I'd love this kinda post even more...positive and negative!!

[toledo_mudhen]

Very Nice... Just so happens that I'm looking to replace my old HP Scanjet...Thanks

[Wymers Auction]

Originally Posted by GoldenAge50s

---What does the auto detect do? I assume it's on my CanoScan 5600f also.

If I put it on auto it detects the size and automatically crops the picture. I do auction catalogs and I like to crop the photos closely so they look better. This is under the Document size options. I hope this helps.

[g_vezina_c55]

wow nice difference... i am into check for buy a scanner too.. i will check for this model i think...

In canada 250$ i check look at the staple store..

easy to use ?

[jp1216]

I love my Canon 5600F purchased last spring. Less expensive than the 9600. Top notch quality output. Rescanned all my stuff and love the results.

[g_vezina_c55]

Originally Posted by jp1216

I love my Canon 5600F purchased last spring. Less expensive than the 9600. Top notch quality output. Rescanned all my stuff and love the results.

can you post a scan ? i would like to see the quality

[GoldenAge50s]

Here's a couple from my 5600F--purchased a few months ago for around $90.
Notice the job it does on graded! That's because of the CCD scan element.

DON'T buy a CIS scanner unless you want blurry, unclear, poorly defined slabbed cards!

[CW]

Also have a 5600F and am constantly looking for excuses to post scans....

[atx840]

I also use a 9000F and would recommend it to anyone, although it's overkill for just cards as any CCD sensor scanner should produce the same results. Epson and Canon both make sub $150 CCD models.

[Buythatcard]

Since we are on the subject of scanners. What resolution works best for displaying images on eBay?

[GoldenAge50s]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Since we are on the subject of scanners. What resolution works best for displaying images on eBay?

I use 150 or 200 almost always.

[sdkammeyer]

I use the 8400f and love it. picked it up off ebay for $60. Definitely a great purchase.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Since we are on the subject of scanners. What resolution works best for displaying images on eBay?

I use 300 dpi, and also put a link for front and back scans from Photobucket to my ebay listings from these scans.

I currently have been using a Canoscan 8600F that I've had for many years. Anyone know if it's worthwhile to upgrade to the 9000F? I do have the white background on my scans, which can make it hard to see the corners and edges for raw cards when they also have white edges. Is there a setting that changes it to the black background? Thanks!

[atx840]

Originally Posted by glchen

Is there a setting that changes it to the black background? Thanks!

Keep the lid up

[T205 GB]

Originally Posted by atx840

Keep the lid up

Spoken like a true man till she falls in and get her tushy wet

[queencitysportscards]

Just picked up my new scanner...thought I would test it out on the board.

It is a CanoScan 5600F...I got it at a great price.

[atx840]

Nice scan, again try with the lid up

Added: remove the baggie.

[queencitysportscards]

How about this...

[markf31]

Wow! I forgot about this thread, even though its only a little over a month and a half old. My scanner has completely crapped out on me now though, so I've begun to look for a new one and the suggestions here have been a big help. I also need a new computer. Seems my collecting budget will taking a hit for the next month or so as I upgrade some of my technologies.

[atx840]

Better scan of the card/slab but the saturation and contrast needs some tweaking. Are those default settings?

[tiger8mush]

congrats on the new scanner!

I too just got mine about a month ago. While messing with the different settings, I found what worked best for me was the "color magazine" setting instead of the "color photo" and "document" options. I believe I keep it at 200dpi though it goes much higher. It scans quicker, takes up less space, and quicker to post to the net.

Like others have mentioned, I keep the lid up so you get the black background.

Rob

[theoverreactor]

Is the Jordan for sale?

[DaClyde]

Does anyone have any tips for scanning cards with foil or mirrored surfaces that don't just result in that part showing up black?

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by markf31

Wow! I forgot about this thread, even though its only a little over a month and a half old. My scanner has completely crapped out on me now though, so I've begun to look for a new one and the suggestions here have been a big help. I also need a new computer. Seems my collecting budget will taking a hit for the next month or so as I upgrade some of my technologies.

Mark,

I bought a CanoScan 8400F last August for $60 on Ebay. I LOVE it. It has the CCD (charge-coupled device) scanning element, and a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (so no streaking from reflective cards). It does a great job on vintage cards as well as modern cards. It doesn't matter if the card being scanned is slabbed, raw, in a one touch, or a top loader. Here are some of the scans I've done of my cards. I'll try to include a nice variety of different eras, thicknesses, card surfaces, and card protection types (all scans at 300 dpi).






I'm sorry I don't have any SGC graded cards to scan yet, but I think they'd look great, too.

I hope this helps ya!!!

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by DaClyde

Does anyone have any tips for scanning cards with foil or mirrored surfaces that don't just result in that part showing up black?

Jason, can you give me an example of a specific card brand that you're having issues with?

That 2010 Bowman Chrome Bryce Harper I posted above is a highly reflective surface, about as close as I come to what it sounds like you're describing.



The darker Chrome cards often have blacked out areas when scanned. This 2011 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout is an example:



I have Photoshop, and when I have blackened areas, it's just a matter of adjusting the levels somewhat.

[DaClyde]

Any Chrome set is a good example. They don't scan well, but the refractors look great.

Similar to what you posted, here is a foil-based card:



The only thing that really shows up is the non-foil part. Here is the same card photographed with my phone:



Here is a refractor-type card from a different insert set:



Shows up brilliantly.

[the 'stache]

Chrome cards are just a hassle sometimes, and I don't know of any way to improve those dark areas without a photo editing program like Photoshop. Maybe duplicate the picture, add a layer mask to the lighter areas, and then play with the levels for the darker areas.

[markf31]

I was able to pick up a CanoScan 8400F today off Criagslist for $30 and I couldn't be happier!! My first scan with the new toy.

[frankbmd]

Now I can scan with the "big boys".

$85 with free shipping from Amazon

[AMBST95]

I went and got a 9000F this weekend. My All-in-One was starting to show some streaks and the images have always been a little fuzzy. I'm really impressed with the results. It's going to make my online albums more enjoyable to manage.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Now I can scan with the "big boys".

Frank,

Those are some beautiful cards, my friend.

Additionally, congrats on being so close (yet so far) to completing the Monster.

Best Regards,

Eric

[Eric72]

After taking way too much time contemplating an $80 purchase, I finally broke down and bought a CCD scanner. The difference in scan quality is (as others have said) remarkable.

The OP was spot on about leaving the lid open, too. Despite giving a PSA holder an SGC-looking appearance, scanning this way does deliver great contrast.

Old scanner:



New CCD scanner:



Time to go re-scan my graded cards and (finally) have crisp images of them.

Have a great day, everyone.

Best Regards,

Eric

[CW]

Great scans, guys, and welcome to the club!

On top of the Canon scanners already mentioned, another great scanner for cards is the Epson v500 photo scanner, which is going for about $147 on eBay right now. I saw another collector's scans with this scanner and was very impressed.

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by Eric72

The OP was spot on about leaving the lid open, too. Despite giving a PSA holder an SGC-looking appearance, scanning this way does deliver great contrast.

Let me get this straight. You scanned the 2nd one with the top open?
I thought the top had to be down, the room lights turned off and the windows boarded shut!

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by auggiedoggy

Let me get this straight. You scanned the 2nd one with the top open?
I thought the top had to be down, the room lights turned off and the windows boarded shut!

Rob,

Yes, the second scan - with the crisper image and a darker look to the PSA holder - was taken with the top open.

Best,

Eric

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Rob,

Yes, the second scan - with the crisper image and a darker look to the PSA holder - was taken with the top open.

Best,

Eric

Doesn't seem to make any difference with my scanner. I currently have a Canon MX870. I've owned two scanners. Both were crap.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Rob,

Yes, the second scan - with the crisper image and a darker look to the PSA holder - was taken with the top open.

Best,

Eric

Originally Posted by auggiedoggy

Doesn't seem to make any difference with my scanner. I currently have a Canon MX870. I've owned two scanners. Both were crap.

Rob,

Sorry if my post earlier today was ambiguous. I am a numbers guy and not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to words.

The images I posted then were from two different scanners. Posted below is what the card looks like...these are two different images from the same (newly purchased) CCD scanner. In my opinion, keeping the lid closed creates a few blue shadows I can do without.

Lid Up:



Lid Down:

[auggiedoggy]

Eric,

Both of those scans beats anything my scanner can do. My scanner is a multipurpose device, i.e., printer, scanner, copier, fax. It is a Canon MX870. Raw cards scan fine but cards in plastic holders appear blurry. Perhaps I need to buy a device that was designed to one thing - scan!

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by auggiedoggy

Eric,

Both of those scans beats anything my scanner can do. My scanner is a multipurpose device, i.e., printer, scanner, copier, fax. It is a Canon MX870. Raw cards scan fine but cards in plastic holders appear blurry. Perhaps I need to buy a device that was designed to one thing - scan!

Rob, it's the scanning element that makes all the difference for graded cards. A CCD element will have greater depth focus, which is what you need for cards stuck inside a thick slab. A scanner with a CCD element, and a cold cathode fluorescent light source will give a much better picture. There also won't be any of the streaking you see when slabbed cards are scanned. That's an LED lighting issue.

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Rob, it's the scanning element that makes all the difference for graded cards. A CCD element will have greater depth focus, which is what you need for cards stuck inside a thick slab. A scanner with a CCD element, and a cold cathode fluorescent light source will give a much better picture. There also won't be any of the streaking you see when slabbed cards are scanned. That's an LED lighting issue.

Sounds like a good investment even though I'm not what you'd call a high-volume seller. I know as a buyer I am more attracted to crisp, clear scans than blurry ones.

Thanks for the advice!

Rob

[MattyC]

Wait-- so Robinson Cano is endorsing scanners now? I knew he'd sell out once he signed with Jigga but this is ridiculous. Like Yankee cologne.