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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,691 |
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New Member
Canada
49 Posts |
I use to mess around with cameras to take my coin pics but now I have switched to an old $5.00 second hand store, hp all-in-one with the scanning feature. The tray for printing was missing but it's not my printer anyway. Simple and fast with superior images. One coin can be done in a couple minutes, both sides. You do however need the old version Solution Center which allows you to double the output size to edit. The Peace dollar in my earlier post was done in minutes on my all-in-one. I like them so much, I have 2 extras I picked up at yard sales. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
My scanner is over ten years old and still works well. While it may not capture the exact color it gives a decent representation of the detail.
Good for you.
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Pillar of the Community
872 Posts |
Cameras do work. Here is what I do for camera pics. 1. I bought a 12 dollar Walmart LED gooseneck desk lamp and drape some medium sheer cloth over the light. 2. I lower the light down until the coin is light, but not too bright. Fabric may have to be played with to get a good intensity with different toned coins. 3. TURN ON the MACRO setting of the camera. Its usually indicated by a Flower on the back side of the camera. 4. For close ups, you can zoom in to about 2.0x, before it gets too blurry. Make sure the camera is set to auto/auto focus settings. Its a Sony Cybershot Camera, nothing too fancy. Then I get pictures like this with that simple setup; https://goccf.com/t/163656 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
A flatbed scanner will certainly do the job, I use mine sometimes, It was not cheap, and it can actually focus the scaning lamp, as it's a transparency topped flatbed from my old job as a photographer. What I don't care for on scanning is the flat lifeless look the coins get. What I like most about scanning over photographing, is I can set up a whole plate full of 2x2 holder coins and do them all in one go, so it's fast, but I find to really show my coins off I need to use my DSLR and some lighting vs. scanning. My 2¢ worth anyways.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440Edited by westcoin
12/01/2013 7:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
Here's a few problems I've encountered using a scanner on coins:
-- you can't control the lighting
-- slabbed coins are out of focus (at least with my scanner)
-- proof and mirrored coins just do NOT scan well
-- and darkly toned coins don't either
I use my scanner for inexpensive and raw business strikes.
For my good stuff I use my DSLR with a macro lens.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
I like scanned coins. I can buy em relatively cheap on ebay, take good pics and flip em for usually double. Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Valued Member
Canada
372 Posts |
When using a scanner, what resolution do you find is best for coins?
Edited by wolfman-11
03/22/2014 10:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
Quote:
When using a scanner, what resolution do you find is best for coins? I start high since you can always resize downward. Trying to resize upward a low resolution image rarely works. So to answer your question I scan at 600 dpi. I can go as high as 1200 dpi but 99% of the time that's overkill. At 600 dpi you still generally have to shrink the image to get it to fit on a screen page. |
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Valued Member
Canada
372 Posts |
Thanks, Is it better to leave the background white, or to use a dark backer. I have tried both and find that either way shows different details on the same coin.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,691 |
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Posted 11/29/2013 01:21 am
