Scanning Stamps At High Res

Wonder what effect compressing a 1200 dpi image down to the file size limit for this site might have?

I agree, angore. Scanning a stamp is worse than scanning the big photo that was used to create that stamp.

Perhaps slightly off topic ... but I have a question. Is it more common to use a scanner to image stamps/covers? Or do folks use cameras with some kind of copy table like setup? Scanning seems a bit more labor-intensive but would work.

I used to do a ton of close-up / macro images of coins and misc for ebay sale and this worked well. So far the images I have uploaded here are quick phone pics with little effort to perfect. And yet, despite the one sideways complaint, seem to meet the spirit of the post just fine. I assume for some applications, perfection is not required. But what if I wanted to work towards bettering my images?

DSLR (or similar) with Macro lens, lights and tripod/copy-table, or scanner? We have 2 scanners in-house, one HP generic and one dedicated to book scanning. May not be up for the task but if scanning is the answer, can invest in something new.

Crikey, what an extraordinary statement!
I can scan 40 stamps, in approximately 2 minutes.
(not counting layout on platen)

Use a camera if you must, but scanning is the way to go.
I'd suggest you are going to experience a jaw dropping moment when you do.

As I collect PNCs (plate number coils) and often need larger images of the plate numbers, I purchased an inexpensive 40x to 1000x digital microscope. This allows me to get great images of the plate numbers (or other stamp details) without using the bright light of a scanner.

I created the images this past week for a short article about plate number misalignment on the 37¢ Snowy Egret coil stamp. The first image (below) is from a 1200dpi scan, the second using the digital microscope.

Scott

If you cropped your 1220dpi scan, to the same area, would you not get a better result than the microscope?

The result was not better for my purposes than the digital microscope. The particular stamp I scanned had the darker blue plate number printed over the misaligned light blue plate number and I needed a clearer image than the scan provided. Comparison shown below with the scanned image on the left and digital microscope image on the right.

Scott

Kinick9059

If you are not going to use a scanner, which I think you should for 2D objects like paper etc then use your phone camera. It will be easier and give better results that a DSLR for posting here or ebay.

Rod- I admit I am often lazy and will take smartphone photos for basic discussions. That said, even the platen layout in your description can be simplified by putting stamps in Vario-type pages. I find even at 300 DPI you can graphically crop a stamp with decent resolution. Of course 600 or 1,200 DPI are even better.

When I eventually sell some duplicates I'll likely pull out my scanner. For the time being, I can't justify the desk space.

Granted, smartphones are a wonderful gift, in certain circumstances,
I found this to my chagrin when getting lost when shopping on Wednesday
and my old Sat Nav gave wrong directions.

However, I do feel aggression (but don't show it) when colleagues feel the need to show me stamps on their phones, and begin to flip the finger through grainy and poorly lit images.
Memories of Mr and Mrs Jones invite to see "their home movies"

I am used to 600dpi images on a 27" monitor.
(why do we in Aus still use inches rather neolithic)

Rod222, funny you mention inches.

A bit off topic but - Canada converted to the metric system in 1972 and yet we still buy tv's and monitors advertised in inches, and I buy groceries advertised in oz and pounds first, metric below. And the gallons are the US size at 3.78L and not the Imperial gallon we used to use. So of course everything costs a whole lot more, and the younger generations are not aware that less quantity costs more money.

No1 Phil.
My all time favourite comedian Jim Gaffigan (US) addressed this in one of his videos, it cracked me up.
if you havn't met Jim, here he is on Canada...........