Tips
on how to preserve (and increase) the value of your coin collection
by making a full record with a simple flatbed scanner
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The
person who did this scanning had never used this scanner before.
She had never used any other scanner before either. She had
no training in digital imaging, or graphics (she was a recent
law school graduate).
Yet these scans helped document a major coin collection and
increased its sales value by over $135,000 (on top of what
it would have gotten without the inventory made by scanning).
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It
is easy. Don't buy a cheap flatbed scanner. Get a flatbed scanner
with at least 1000 true optical dpi, or better, with 1200 dpi (you
can get up to 4000 dpi on flatbed scanners but those cost up to
$30,000).
User
friendliness are important aspects of today's digital imaging equipment.
Not everyone is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology
or has attended courses on prepress color management technology.
Thus once you have your scanner you might consider trying out other
software. Your scanner came with one brand of software, but if your
bundle did not include SilverFast
scanner software from LaserSoft Imaging, then you should order this;
www.silverfast.com.
Every
dollar you invest in a flatbed scanner can potentially be returned
a thousand-fold when you sell your coin collection. We were paid
a whopping fee for the sale of the coin collection which was entirely
made possible by the booklet we put together with the flatbed scans
and a Lexmark
color laser printer. But you can do this yourself, and save
$27,500, enough for a new car.
You
can order your UMAX flat bed scanner from DTP Direct, ask for Scott
Olson. You can also get a comparable scanner with more sophisticated
software from Linotype-Hell,
Heidelberg CPS. Unfortunately we don't own any coins at all, otherwise
we would show pictures of the entire scanning process. Just place
the coins on top of the glass and press the SCAN button! Of course
you have to have the scanner connected to a computer.
While
on the subject of coins, during the several months that we cataloged
and prepared this coin collection for sale we ran into all kinds
of coin dealers. Several scam artists called and tried to take advantage
of my elderly father. Other coin dealers wanted us to send the entire
collection to them, so they could make an offer. But we were dubious
that they might switch low cost coins for the valuable ones we had.
Thus we scanned both sides of every coin (and decided it was safer
not to send the coins to someone we did not know. If they really
wanted to buy the coin collection, then should come in person and
look at them).
We
finally found a completely honest coin company and two totally ethical
coin dealers, Leo Frese of Heritage Numismatic Auctions and David
Mayfield, tel 1 800 872 6467. This company is associated with Heritage
Capital Corporation. We recommend these two individuals and the
company they represent. Besides, they paid a fair price for the
coin collection and we got their check in full before they even
took the coins.
Reports
on scanners by the senior review editor, now available.
Just send in the inquiry form and the reviews will be sent
to you by return e-mail.
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| Which
scanners are best for digitizing your slides or negatives
for digital printing, especially for large format inkjet printers.
Includes mention of which digital cameras are best for direct
digital photography. |
No
reports available on cheap scanners. If the scanner you intend
to buy is sold by CompUSA then it is not covered in a FLAAR
report. |
| FLAAR
report on drum scanners (in preparation but you can go
ahead and order the work-in-progress version now). Discusses
whether drum scanners are still worth the extra cost. Pros and
cons of drum scanners vs flatbed scanners. Tips on whether you
should buy a used scanner. |
Drum
scanners cost between $20,000 and $140,000. You can get an excellent
drum scanner for $40K to $60K. The newest models are easy to
use (yes, you don't have to have a technical background). Ideal
for photo labs, museums, fine art giclee studios, and advanced
hobbiests. |
| "Overhead
scanners," (repro stand scanners), a list of all
the various combinations of copy stands, large format
scan backs, or dedicated scanners mounted on a repro stand. |
For
museums to scan objects of any size or shape; for fine art giclee
printers to scan paintings of any size; for technical photography;
for general studio photography. |
| List
of the various wide format sheet-fed scanners which are
available. |
For
scanning maps, large drawings, GIS, CAD; the better wide format
scanners cost from $5,000 and up. |
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Please
note: no reviews on cheap desktop scanners; no reviews on
HP scanners for example. No technical help on scanning available.
We do not cover older, obsolete, nor used scanners.
This
free service is exclusively to assist individuals, studios,
and companies who would like to know which of the new breed
of scanners is best for your needs. Contact: Nicholas Hellmuth,
e-mail FLAARtest@aol.com
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| The
FLAAR reports on scanners are suitable for photographers, artists,
and pre-press professionals. The reports are suitable for beginners
if you are prepared for the reality of professional digital
imaging. FLAAR is a nonprofit research institute so there is
no cost for the reports. |
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Showing
actual
3-D objects (rabbits) and then showing the resulting scan.
Scanning
40
35mm slides all at once.
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Comparing
a 3-D object scanned with a 1200 dpi scanner and the Fuji 5000
dpi scanner. |
The
Fuji is
large enough to scan an object up to 45 cm long. Here we
show how this scanner handles a large 3-D object, a carved wooden
effigy of a jaguar. |
| Enlargement
of a scan of a native Mexican handicraft to reveal the full
detail in depth of focus that the Fuji C-550 Lanovia can
achieve (horse). |
Two
especially beautiful scans done with the Fuji scanner, on the
bottom
of this page of all the internal links to this site. |
Scans
of architectural history
(Missouri Ozarks) done with Fuji scanner. Bottom of the
page. |
| Scanning
4x5 chromes with the Fuji results in ability to enlarge
small details to poster size (jade). |
General
discussion of the Fuji Lanovia flatbed scanner. |
Mention
of the drum scanners which Fujifilm also makes. |
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Now being prepared, FLAAR reports by the Senior Review Editor
on flatbed scanners for prepress, photo archives, and museums.
Additional reports evaluate what scanner(s) are best for digitizing
your slides and photos for digital printing, especially fine
art giclee.
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FLAAR offers for you more information about this subject |
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