help getting a flatbed scanner?

Hey all,

I want to get a flatbed scanner for use of photoing coins only, I have a couple hundred to spend ($200-$300). I know nothing about them, I have only Mac computers to use. What are your thoughts? I am a newbie here so if I posted this in the wrong place, move it for me or let me know where it should go. Thanks in advance

Erik

 

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From what I've learned in my short time here, cameras do a much better job with coins than scanners. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in.

 

I would agree. For imaging coins, if you use a scanner, there will be little or no luster shown, and it will be hard to see how the coin looks in hand (If it isn't impossible already through an image). I would also recommend a camera, just my 2 cents

 

Get a camera for the coins. It really doesn't have to be expensive. As long as it has macro ability.

The scanner should be for the notes and other flat items. Coins are not flat. They have depth to them.

 

This is a review site for Mac flatbed scanners. I'm not quite sure how the picture quality would be.



http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/peripherals/whats-the-best-mac-scanner-6-flatbed-scanners-tested-719559

 

before you buy a flatbed, search your thrift shops. In both the local salvation army and Womanhaven thrifts stores, there are several flatbed scanners as most now want the kind where you load the papers in and it pulls them through one at a time. Also check out the Canon MP-980 type of all-in-one. It can go on network or printer cable, copy, scan into a JPG or PDF files tothe computer or usb memory stick, nice printer and the cartdriges can be refilled and chips reset, so ink is cheap. I have one and love it, although I still use my brother laser for large jobs.
Doug says that if you prop one edge of the coin up a little angle, you can get a less flat image.

 

I found a scanner was vastly inferior to a camera for imaging of coins.

 

However, for comic books or old photographs (the majority of the items I sell on eBay), you can't beat a flatbed scanner.

 

I have had this scanner for a year, and it works well, both with documents and articles. It does fairly well with coins, although I agree that a digital camera with 12+ Megapixels does better:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/scanners/film_negative_scanners/canoscan_9000f

 

Thanks for all the quick replies. With your help, I have chosen to stay away from a flatbed scanner and instead, I will purchase a photo-booth/shadow-box & lighting, as I have my wife's camera (a superb one at that).

Erik

 

Here are examples of two coins on a flatbed scanner. The first is of a silver quarter in a 2x2 holder. The second is of a clad quarter - no holder.

 

These or similar seem to be easily made if one has lights already. This one is intended for a cell phone camera, but would work with any other. Looks like it would be inexpensive unless you are going for very top results.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1064230786/the-nimbus-dome

 

wow... that thing is way cool looking!

 

Just a heads up on the scanner. If you're planning on scanning paper currency the new scanners have a program in them that won't let you scan them. If you are planning on scanning paper money go for a old used one that still works.

 

Yeah, and if you don't have one, keep an eye on garage sales, etc. They may have much older ones that work for that.