I came across this article that talks about using a scanner for photography.

http://www.photo-vinc.com/articles/Flatbedscanner/Flatbedscanner.html

This is very interesting and it's something I intend to try.  I remember trying to take pictures of a coin using my camera and various extensions tubes to get greater magnification and it was tough.  I could have just scanned it!!

I'm not as adventurous as this person and wouldn't be putting non-dry stuff on my scanner glass.