Scanning slabbed cards
 

I have a Canon scanner which has been great for scanning flat items (raw cards), but I cannot get the same quality scanning slabbed cards. I think it has something to do with the thickness and possibly focuses the background instead of the card and label. Is there some trick to this?

Try leaving the top open

Scanning slabbed cards
 

I use a Digital Camera outside in the sunlight.

The likely reason that your graded cards are scanning blurry has to do with the scanner technology. CIS-based scanners have a limited focal range, usually just the surface of the glass plate. CCD-based scanners have a broader depth of focus and thus do better at scanning three-dimensional objects, including ones that don't rest immediately on the glass scanning surface. Your scanner likely is a CIS.

There have been multiple threads on this forum discussing this topic and even providing recommendations of specific models. Just search "CCD CIS".

Hope that helps,
--S

Here is a thread from just this past week---Read it thru & see the example at the end---it tells you all you need to know, as Sean says above.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=136521

To summarize
 

There is one or two Canon scanners under $150 that uses CIS scanner technology that simply will not offer a crisp image of slabbed cards, and a few in the $175+ range that give a better (and worthwhile) image

Thanks guys, maybe time for an upgrade.