Best Scanner to scan autographs?

[hawaiian bam bam]

hey guys,
i was wondering is there a Flatbed scanner that you recommend that i can scan more than one card at a time. im trying to scan multiple cards but my scanner (epson nx230) doesnt scan more than one card at a time. its like watching paint drying on a wall, there must be a faster way to scan multi cards? i know every flatbad has the potential to scan 9 cards at once, thats not what im looking for, i need a scanner that if i put lets say 5 baseball cards on the flatbed that it will scan 5 different cards seperatley in one pass.or let me crop multiple cards from one scan.any help? any scanner you would recommend that would accomplish this? thanks

[DaClyde]

It's not so much your scanner that is the problem. You need different scanning software. If you are not opposed to spending a little, RansenScan does a decent job of "batch scanning" multiple objects on the scanner bed. It's $29.99. I own a copy, and the creator is still actively updating it and is responsive to suggestions for future updates. Basically it lets the scanner make a single pass, and then the software either automatically picks out the different objects, or you can do it manually.

http://www.ransen.com/RansenScan/Default.htm

[hawaiian bam bam]

Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it. Ill go check them out. thanks

[Lordstan]

Almost any basic photo editing program can take a scan of nine cards and allow you to crop out each card individually. I use Irfanview for this job when I scan cards.

The ransen program looks pretty interesting as it appears to be able to take one scan and cut it into sections automatically. That looks pretty cool.

As far as scanner is concerned, the most important feature is that you get a CCD sensor scanner. The CCD element does a much better job with depth that CIS scanners. It is especially important if you scan anything slabbed. The link below is an old discussion, but post 16 really shows what I mean about depth scan clarity. If you ever think you might buy a photo negative, you may also want to consider one that can scan negatives.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=121505

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

As far as scanner is concerned, the most important feature is that you get a CCD sensor scanner. The CCD element does a much better job with depth that CIS scanners. It is especially important if you scan anything slabbed.

Good advice. In layman's terms, if the lighting element is an "old school" type bulb, it will effectively scan a slab or any object that is suspended slightly above the scanner glass, like a slabbed card.

The newer LCD lights that "flicker" will only sharply scan an object directly on the glass. If it is slightly suspended in a slab, it will be fuzzy.

[travrosty]

i just crop out each one individually with irfanview and save it under a different name and then go back to the original saved scan and crop out the next one., etc.

[gregr2]

Originally Posted by DaClyde

It's not so much your scanner that is the problem. You need different scanning software. If you are not opposed to spending a little, RansenScan does a decent job of "batch scanning" multiple objects on the scanner bed. It's $29.99. I own a copy, and the creator is still actively updating it and is responsive to suggestions for future updates. Basically it lets the scanner make a single pass, and then the software either automatically picks out the different objects, or you can do it manually.

http://www.ransen.com/RansenScan/Default.htm

Thanks for the link to this software. This program is really awesome!!

[gregr2]

I'm still using it and love it. So much faster and easier than anything else out there. Just the fact that you can lay 8 or 9 cards on the scanner flatbed and hit scan and it grabs each card individually is really helpful.

[RichardSimon]

I downloaded the software and am having trouble scanning index cards.
The Oeschger index card came out heavily toned and in real life is barely toned.
The Schmeling index card is signed on the unlined side but the lines show through from the back of the index card. The Oeschger card is unlined on both sides which is why there are no lines showing.
Anybody have a similar problem?
Anybody know what I can do to correct this?

[gregr2]

Richard,

That is odd and not sure why it is doing that. The Billy Herman is a cut and the toning looks spot on. Here is a Bunning signed on the non-lined side of an index card and the lines are not showing through at all. I scan at 300 dpi. I also scan with the lid up.

[RichardSimon]

Thanks for giving me a possible solution.
I scan at 300 dpi but I scan with the lid down.
I will try with the lid up.

This is what happens when I try with the lid up.
Maybe it is my scanner?
Epson XP-420

[Hondo]

I am guessing here that all the replies on this thread are for PC's and not Mac's?