Suggestions on a good scanner.

[Harvey Mintz]

John -

Since your old scanner hasn't changed, the problem is probably with the settings. You new driver may have come with default settings that don't allow you to utilize the full capacity of the scanner to make detailed images.

You have a couple of choices here, but the one you seem to have already made is the purchase of another scanner. Before you do that, you should work you way through the software you use for scanning (yes, I know - this can be painful) and see if you can change the settings so that it works as well (or maybe better) than before.

Since I don't know what software you use for scanning, I can't give specific instructions, but most scanner software allows you to choose the quality level of the image. The more quality (technically, the more pixels you want to record) the slower the scanning process is. Very often, software will default to monochrome document quality, which is probably the lowest quality setting (but it's all you need to scan a black & white document). Try changing some of the settings and se if that dowsn't make it come out better before you spend money on another scanner (yes, I know - they're only about $100. But that's $100 you can't spend on a watch :biggrin:)

Good Luck

Harvey J. Mintz

[HenryB]

If your old scanner was an HP, then chances are it does not support XP software fully.

I went through this, gave it up and got a HP 1350 (printer/scanner combo) that works fine.

I think now the HP 1350 is considered obsolete, so not sure what the new model number is. :rolleyes:

HP can be a real problem though, as there models tend to last just 6 months, so I would be looking for an Epson, or another brand.

Addendum to above post:

Please recognize that most scanners are set up for a USB system. If your computer does NOT accept USBs, then you have an additional hurdle.

[This message was edited by HenryB on March 09, 2004 at 12:23.]

[Tom McIntyre]

Faced with the same problem, I bought VueScan software from Hamrick Software. The VueScan software supports essentially all scanners from 35mm to large flat bed.

It provides the ability to do multiple scans of the same object and average the results plus a host of other features.

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[Jeff Hess]

MAvica 73 or Mavica 75 has the best macro and the best "ease of use".

Get one on an online auction for 200 bucks.

We have 9 of them...

JPH

[pocwatjim]

John,
If you want to produce great pictures and be able to see an object from all angles, forget the scanner.
The price of digital cameras is so low I would not consider buying a scanner to photo watches. The reason that people hesitate to switch is the dread of learning the new technology of the cameras. This is no problem with the ease of operations and new easy to use instructions. Consider this, if you buy a new scanner it will be so much improved and different from your present setup that you will have to learn it all over again anyway,so if you have to retrain yourself it may as well be on a ditigal.
Take a watch to the camera store and have the salesperson shoot the watch to see if the picture has all the details you would like it to. For less than $300 you will be in the drivers seat.
I know that you are not ready to admit that your grandchildren have a one up on you yet!!

Jim Haney
NAWCC# 138644
Member of Chapters
19,143,151,156,185

[Tom McIntyre]

If you want to make a picture of a watch, you need a camera for the best results.

However, if you are trying to get pictures of printed pages or scan existing pictures, you will get much better results with a scanner.

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)