Are there new scanners with depth of field?

July 2, 2006 6:29 PM

Are there any new inexpensive scanners with depth of field like the old Hewlett Packards? I would like to scan small objects like I could with an old Hewlett Packard but it's not working with my new Scanjet 4890.

I've gone as far as buying an old Hewlett Packard off Ebay. And, well, yes I'll never get it to work with my new computer. My kids say I need a SCSI card and a new cable. I'm afraid doing all this will just screw up my five year old computer that is duct-taped together from all the other alterations we have made to it. Maybe I am going the wrong way on this. Maybe there is a new scanner that will work for me.

Or - do you know a Hewlett Packard that had good depth of field but would be compatible with a new computer. I'm guessing that the depth of field qualities went away with change-over to USB. But maybe not. Is there a Hewlett Packard with depth of field and USB?

As an example, I scanned a dragonfly with my old scanner and it was incredibly detailed and in focus - the whole dragonfly to about an eighth of an inch deep.

When I scanned a moth with my new scanner everything was blurry. Everything. I can only scan flat paper with my new scanner.

(Old scanner is history, probably donated it long ago.)

I can't really afford a camera that could do this. And the scanner would be so much easier to use for this purpose than a camera anyway.

posted by cda to computers & internet (5 comments total)

Doesn't someone make a scsi < --> usb or firewire cable?
posted by dobbs at 6:40 PM on July 2, 2006

Dobbs - my kids did mention a scsi < --> usb possiblity, but I'm worried about putting more money into the Ebay scanner (a Scanjet 4c) if there is a new scanner that will work.
posted by cda at 7:38 PM on July 2, 2006

Ah, okay. Just FYI, there's one on eBay right now for under a buck, though they'd probably ding you for shipping.

As for current scanners, I can't say, but I used to have an HP 4C and if I remember correctly, the lid was on a hinge that actually permitted you to place large items on the glass and still "close" the lid. My curent scanner opens more like the cover of a book. If yours does as well, perhaps just too much light is getting in--have you tried draping items to close off the light?
posted by dobbs at 8:09 PM on July 2, 2006

Yes, I've tried draping - no help.

My new scanner also has the hinged lid.

But thanks for the suggestions, dobbs.

A link to the dragon fly. And to the moth.
posted by cda at 8:28 PM on July 2, 2006

i used to have a HP USB scanner that i used to scan objects, like you said.. if i still had it i'd send it to you.
i'm just saying it might not be a problem with the USB.
posted by amethysts at 8:57 PM on July 2, 2006