OT: Scanner advice and recommendations

[Bliggity]

Originally Posted by vintagechris

For those using the Epson, what do you have the settings set at? I seem to never be quite satisfied with the color

When I first started using my V550, I thought the colors were too dull and were not accurate to the card that I was scanning. For me it was a simple fix. Using the Epson software, from the main scan screen, choose the "Tone Correction" button (circled in red). Then choose "High Contrast" from the tone-curve menu. The color match was perfect. I tried a bunch of different settings, and just this one change was the best and most accurate.

[Zach Wheat]

Agree with the comments above regarding scanners. I have used both Epson and Canon scanners. I prefer the V600 although both produced good results.

Mike (Bartholemew Bump Bailey) it looks like your scanner has an auto-crop scan feature. That is convenient for many things but annoying when it comes to scanning graded cards as it crops some of the holder.

The Canon scanning software has options to size the default scan so you will get all the edges of the entire holder.

[irv]

I believe the OP is a member here as well and I also believe he has the same/similar thread here too?
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1174390

[BobbyStrawberry]

Reviving this thread as I'm looking into getting a scanner. It appears that the Epson V370 and V550 have been discontinued, but the V600 is available.

Any other thoughts/recommendations would be appreciated! Thanks

[Carter08]

I picked up the v550 off of eBay used for $100. I have no idea what I’m doing with setting and yet the machine has decided to make very nice scans despite my incompetence. Highly recommend that and I imagine the v600 is just as good or better.

[Charger74]

Picked up an Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner at my local Best Buy. This thread sold me on it, so made the purchase. Super Happy with the scanner and appreciate all the comments on this thread, made the choice easy!

[Snowman]

Another +1 for the Epson V600. I love mine. It's super easy to use and produces beautiful high-quality scans like the one below.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Bliggity

When I first started using my V550, I thought the colors were too dull and were not accurate to the card that I was scanning. For me it was a simple fix. Using the Epson software, from the main scan screen, choose the "Tone Correction" button (circled in red). Then choose "High Contrast" from the tone-curve menu. The color match was perfect. I tried a bunch of different settings, and just this one change was the best and most accurate.

I do something very similar. The contrast is pretty drab with the default settings. For those who use a Mac, I'd recommend downloading the Epson Scan 2 software for it. This is what my screen looks like. Also worth noting is that there are a couple of ways to adjust the contrast. You can either click on the 'Detailed Adjustment' link and change the 'Tone Correction' from 'Linear' to 'High Contrast' in the pop-up window, or you can just manually adjust the Contrast slider from the Advanced Settings window. I usually set the contrast manually to something like 20 or 25. Here's an example below of the 3 settings side-by-side of the same card. The one on the left is using the defaul contrast settings. The one in the middle is using the 'High Contrast' tone correction like Bliggity suggests above, and the one on the right is using the manual contrast slider adjustment set to 25.

In the Main Settings window, I select 'Scanner Glass' as the Document Source, 'Reflective' as the Document Type, '48-bit Color' as the Image Type, '400 dpi' as the Resolution, and 'Standard' as the Scanning Quality. I keep the defaul settings for Color Management with 'Display Gamma' at 2.2, the 'Continuous auto exposure' box selected, and the Auto Exposure Level set to medium.

[toledo_mudhen]

Still a big fan of the Canoscan 9000F -

[BobbyStrawberry]

Thank you for the many helpful replies. I decided to go with the V600.

I have a related question: what might you recommend for cleaning off dust/surface imperfections on a slab? I recall reading a thread about it on here at some point, but my searches came up empty...

[toledo_mudhen]

I have been using this for several years - from minor polishing to deep scratches - works great!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/271699457867

[rugbymarine]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Thank you for the many helpful replies. I decided to go with the V600.

I have a related question: what might you recommend for cleaning off dust/surface imperfections on a slab? I recall reading a thread about it on here at some point, but my searches came up empty...

I use an extra microfiber cloth meant for cleaning eye-glasses