Scanner recommendations for 2008
Before making an investment in a scanner, it is important you plan for its use. First, what is the material to be scanned? Is it flat work or bound? Is it reflexive or transparent (film)? What size is the material? How fragile is the material? Next, describe your staffing. Scanning actually should require much less time than the cataloging, but it does require a certain amount of expertise and training. Once you have your plan or performance specifications, it should be easy to select the scanner that matches. Consider that scanning is somewhat like setting up a print or copying "shop." Scanning should take place in a color-neutral area with controlled lighting. Otherwise, the visual perception of the person scanning will be affected by the surroundings. There are vendors out there who only do scanning and are more than happy to perform this work for you. Be sure in your planning to do a cost analysis of your staff time and equipment versus the vendor’s cost. Califa has arrangements with vendors if you would like some guidance. If, after your planning, you want to make this investment, I recommend
Flatbed scanning:
The main difference in flatbed scanners is the software not the equipment optics. It is the software, which enables the equipment to scan detail in faded photographs. In fact if you are digitizing (making a digital file of) high contrast black and white photographs or other black and white documents such as reports, which are no larger than 8.5 x 11, then almost any scanner on the market will create a file which will meet most imaging standards. However, who of us has such a limited collection? Therefore, be sure your scanner purchase includes the best software.
LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast is the most popular software to look for bundled with your scanner. ICE is also another favorite for making digital images look as the original film. It is magic, actually math. In addition, you should look for software that include color management and color profiling capability.
Scanners are increasing in size so that a scanning area of 12 inches by 17 inches is common, but the material still needs to be flat. Some people scan books, by having one part of the book hang down the side of the scanner, but the ideal scan procedure requres a closed lid so that extraneous light is kept out. A better solution to preserve a book’s spine and create un-keystoned page images would be to use a copystand with a digital camera (see final option listed below)
The current favorite flatbed manufacturers are Epson and Microtek . These two have been the favorite for the last three years among those who are creating digital collections. The models are upgraded every year. In 2007, Epson retailing at $2,499.99 and Microtek retailing at $1,799.99 were the digital collections workhorses. They both come with an optional transparency unit, which is okay for a few scans, but a film scanner is better if you are doing many film images.
Film Scanners:
There are scanners made for film and slides. The flatbeds described above scan at a resolution the equal of most film scanners, but the difference is in the distance of the film from the glass. A film scanner is set so that the focus is always right, whereas in the flatbed scanners, the film holders are not as well machined for the holding the film in a consistent place. Nikon is still the leader in film scanners. Nikon’s Coolscan V ED retails at around $600
Digital Cameras
If you are familiar with cameras and need the flexibility that a copystand can provide, a digital camera can be very useful. It can shoot people events, books, oversized objects, and even three-dimensional objects. You will want a 12.4 megapixel camera, which you can now get for less than $200. It will be important that if can be mounted on a tripod or actual copystand. If you are scanning books, you will want a book cradle. A book cradle preserves the spine which can be easily broken by using flat-bed scanners. Most importantly, you will need to learn about copystand photography, unless of course you just want it to document current history digitally, as you had been doing on film.
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