[Web4lib] Scanner Recommendations?
Richard Wiggins
richard.wiggins at gmail.com
Mon May 17 17:45:16 EDT 2010
A (late lamented) friend and professional photographer named Justin
Kestenbaum used polarized filters when taking photos of printed works. Back
in the film days but the optics are the same.
/rich
On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 4:50 PM, Matt Russell <matt at farrwood.com> wrote:
> One trick with using a digital camera for 'scanning' documents is getting
> the lighting consistent over the page. This isn't hard with multiple lights
> (at least 2) positioned at least a few feet away and using an umbrella
> diffuser. 2 of these on tripods is less than $200 (
> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/308806-REG/Impact_401495_Three_Floodlight_Kit_.html
> )
>
> The internet archive uses prosumer-grade Canon DSLRs to digitize books in
> their 'scribe' system. They shoot very fast. Page-turning time is the
> limiting step in the process.
> Matt
>
>
>
>
> Vernell Ward wrote:
>
>> Matt,
>> Thanks for the explanation and clarification. I have made images of
>> individual pages for personal use a few years ago, but never thought of
>> using them for document transfer until now. We are looking at options for
>> doc delivery on our campus and your idea is interesting.
>> Vernell
>> Vernell Ward
>> Serials/Gov.Doc. Librarian
>> OBU Box 61309
>> 500 W. University
>> Shawnee, OK 74804
>> 405-878-2284
>> vernell.ward at okbu.edu <mailto:vernell.ward at okbu.edu>
>>
>> "To ask why we need libraries at all, when there is so much information
>> available elsewhere,
>> is about as sensible as asking if roadmaps are necessary now that there
>> are so very many roads."
>> ---Jon Bing, 2009. /American Libraries /
>>
>>
>> >>> On Monday, May 17, 2010 at 3:32 PM, in message <
>> 4BF1A7D6.90304 at farrwood.com>, Matt Russell <matt at farrwood.com> wrote:
>> Hi Vernell,
>>
>> Whether you use a scanner or a digital camera the result is a bitmap image
>> of the page. If you want to group them into a single multi-page PDF then
>> you just use a pdf creator (like adobe or and tell it which jpg (or tif)
>> files you want to combine and in which order. Scanner software which
>> automatically creates PDFs is just doing this combining step for you.
>>
>> Of course, this results in a fat file, but only a little bit fatter than
>> the original image files. And, the result isn't a searchable PDF since the
>> file only contains bitmaps. In order to turn the scan or digital camera
>> image into a smaller, searchable PDF you'd have to perform OCR on the image
>> to convert it to text, then (usually) spend time cleaning it up and
>> restoring formatting information. This is normally a very tedious process,
>> but it's the same whether you scan or shoot with a digital camera.
>> Cheers,
>> Matt
>>
>>
>> Vernell Ward wrote:
>>
>>> Great idea, but I am puzzled by the details. How do you group the pages
>>> together for an article in a magazine or chapter in a book? Do you use Adobe
>>> or ...?
>>> Vernell Ward
>>> Serials/Gov.Doc. Librarian
>>> OBU Box 61309
>>> 500 W. University
>>> Shawnee, OK 74804
>>> 405-878-2284
>>> vernell.ward at okbu.edu <mailto:vernell.ward at okbu.edu>
>>>
>>> "To ask why we need libraries at all, when there is so much information
>>> available elsewhere,
>>> is about as sensible as asking if roadmaps are necessary now that there
>>> are so very many roads."
>>> ---Jon Bing, 2009. /American Libraries /
>>>
>>>
>>> >>> On Friday, May 14, 2010 at 10:37 AM, in message <
>>> 4BED6E2E.3080902 at farrwood.com>, Matt Russell <matt at farrwood.com> wrote:
>>> We have found that, rather than paying the high price for an 11x17
>>> scanner, we use a good digital camera for images more than 8.5x14. There
>>> are several advantages to this:
>>>
>>> * Cost - a reasonably good digital camera (like a Canon T2i for $900
>>> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/675618-REG/Canon_4462B003_EOS_Rebel_T2i_Digital.html)
>>>
>>> has 18MP, which is over 5000 pixels in the long direction. That
>>> resolves a 17" image into over 300 dpi, which is just fine for all but
>>> the most demanding archival work. The eye cannot resolve 300dpi. For
>>> $300-$500 you could get a 12MP camera. If you pay more than $500 you
>>> will be able to capture in RAW format, which avoids compression and
>>> color balance artifacts. For really good quality and a flat field (eg.
>>> no barrel distortion at the edges) you could pay $250 more for a good
>>> 50mm macro lens.
>>>
>>> * Depth of field - A DSLR (digital single-lens-reflex) will allows a
>>> much wider depth of field than a scanner, so that bound books can be
>>> shot with the text in focus as it curves into the spine. Also, textured
>>> objects can be better captured.
>>>
>>> * Speed - Scanning 11x17 takes a LONG time. Shooting it is a snap.
>>> Shooting a book is literally click, click, click. Shooting artwork,
>>> maps, etc. is so much quicker than scanning.
>>>
>>> * Versatility - Having a nice camera around can be handing for lots more
>>> than just capturing large images. The T2 also lets you shoot high def
>>> video.
>>>
>>> For a scanner, we use the Epson V700, which is exceptionally good, works
>>> well with Linux and XSANE and costs only $500.
>>>
>>>
>>> /Matt Russell/
>>> Lawrence History Center
>>> www.lawrencehistory.org
>>>
>>>
>>> Bob Rasmussen wrote:
>>> > Apparently you haven't received a flood of responses, so I'll jump in.
>>> > Here's what I know of the scanner market:
>>> >
>>> > 1) Almost all lower-cost scanners are limited to 8.5" width; usually
>>> 14"
>>> > height. If you want 11x17" you're in a much more rarified market.
>>> >
>>> > 2) For 8.5x14", there are some low-cost auto-feed units, even with
>>> duplex
>>> > (2-sided scanning). I like the HP Scanjet 5590.
>>> >
>>> > 3) If you want 11x17" and auto-feed, good luck!
>>> >
>>> > 4) Most if not all scanners will turn the light off.
>>> >
>>> > 5) Whether it scans to PDF depends entirely on the software that's
>>> > included. Note that some software produces only image PDFs, which are
>>> not
>>> > searchable. To search a PDF, something has to have performed Optical
>>> > Character Recognition on it.
>>> >
>>> > I hope that helps.
>>> >
>>> > On Tue, 11 May 2010, Pruntel,Alison wrote:
>>> >
>>> > >> Hi - Apologies in advance to my posting to several listservs.
>>> >>
>>> >> Our public information coordinator is looking for a new flatbed
>>> scanner. My familiarity with scanners is basically zilch. She currently uses
>>> an HP Scanjet 8250 that is on its last legs. She scans images, etc., as well
>>> as written correspondence/documents (i.e., letters received by our director
>>> who wants an ecopy, etc.) . In an ideal world, she'd like a scanner that:
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> * Scans black and white as well as color;
>>> >>
>>> >> * Can scan to PDF;
>>> >>
>>> >> * Creates clear/crisp photo scans;
>>> >>
>>> >> * Accomodates documents up to 11 X 17;
>>> >>
>>> >> * Autoloads documents (her current scanner is manual);
>>> >>
>>> >> * Relatively fast and quiet;
>>> >>
>>> >> * Comes with software, but don't necessarily need photo
>>> editing software;
>>> >>
>>> >> * Doesn't keep lamp on all the time/is energy efficient;
>>> >>
>>> >> And did I mention that she also wants something cheap? I believe her
>>> budget is under $2K, but we'd look at the best option for us, would consider
>>> various price ranges.
>>> >>
>>> >> Thanks for any/all responses,
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Alison Pruntel
>>> >> Electronic Resources Librarian
>>> >> Fauquier County Public Library
>>> >> 11 Winchester Street
>>> >> Warrenton, VA 20186
>>> >> 540-349-2770 (voice)
>>> >> 540-349-3278 (fax)
>>> >> FCPL Web Site: http://library.fauquiercounty.gov
>>> >> My Blog: http://fcpleresources.blogspot.com
>>> >> New Stuff at FCPL: http://www.wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?p=2786
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> Web4lib mailing list
>>> >> Web4lib at webjunction.org
>>> >> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> >
>>> > Regards,
>>> > ....Bob Rasmussen, President, Rasmussen Software, Inc.
>>> >
>>> > personal e-mail: ras at anzio.com
>>> > company e-mail: rsi at anzio.com
>>> > voice: (US) 503-624-0360 (9:00-6:00 Pacific Time)
>>> > fax: (US) 503-624-0760
>>> > web: http://www.anzio.com
>>> > street address: Rasmussen Software, Inc.
>>> > 10240 SW Nimbus, Suite L9
>>> > Portland, OR 97223 USA
>>> >
>>> >
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>>> >
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