Scanning in Old Historical Documents using a camera

[iKokomo]

I hope this is the right place to post this in BUT:

I was wondering what the best way is to scan in old bound documents? I can't use a regular scanner because:

1. Cant remove it from the book
and
2. It is too old to put on a scanner face down.

So I know that there is a way to do it using an iPhone but we have so many of them to scan in I was wondering if there was a way to use and SLR or a Point and Shoot on a tripod, point it on a set spot on the desk and post process it with a batch editor on Photoshop or something like that?

Also, what would be good lighting for this? should I have small studio lights or can I use a flash?

Thanks!

 

[The_Traveler]

yes, of course.
A book stand and a tripod will work well.
If you have a macro lens so you don't end up cropping that would work well.
I've done a lot of these with continuous lighting but, if the paper doesn't reflect much and you have a polarizing filter to deal with reflections, a flash or two would work.
If you can include a metric ruler (or some standard measure) in the frame of each shot; that will allow resizing to match images.

 

[Light Guru]

Just pointing a camera on a tripod at a book is probably not going to give you the best results.

I work at a history library and do exactly what you are talking about every day.

Digitizing books poses several problems.

Book pages hardly ever lay flat.
When open the left side of the boot is not always level with the right side of the book.

To deal with these issues you need a cradle where each side can adjust hight independent of the other thus leveling the book pages then a glass top is used to hold the pages perfectly flat.

I use a system like this at work.
DT RGC180 Capture Cradle

Books that cannot fully open would require a setup like this
DT BC100 Book Scanning System

This is another type of system we use.
COPIBOOK Cobalt | productivity A2 book scanner

If you are doing a lot you will definitely want to invest in a proper set up.

 

[runnah]

VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner:Amazon:Office Products

How about one of these?

 

[Light Guru]

VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner:Amazon:Office Products

How about one of these?

With a max resolution of 600x600 and only file format supported is a compressed jpeg that's a big pass on that.

To properly do it you must capture in a uncompressed format and a higher resolution then that will offer.

 

[runnah]

With a max resolution of 600x600 and only file format supported is a compressed jpeg that's a big pass on that.

To properly do it you must capture in a uncompressed format and a higher resolution then that will offer.

I just picked one at random but I think something along those lines us a good solution.

 

[iKokomo]

How about this one? It scans up to 900DPI and is pretty cheap as well! Amazon.com: TaoTronics® Document Scanner Mobile Scanner Handheld Scanner 900DPI Color & Mono Handyscan For Document, Photo, Receipts, Books + JPG / PDF Format Selection(Micro SD Card required but not included)) TT-DS001: Office Products

 

[Light Guru]

Invalid URL.

But based on the description in the bad link it saves as a jpeg whiz is unacceptable as a original format it's only good for online delivery.

 

[Dave K Reeves]

I think a handheld scanner will be the better choice than using a camera to scan the book. Nowadays there are handheld scanners which produce high resolution scans in JPEG or PDF formats. I own one myself with which I scan documents and images very often. It produces quick and good quality scans unless you have a huge amount of documents or images where your better choice will be to use services of document scanning companies like Ash Conversions in Weston. I can’t say any specific brand is better as I have used only one called Vupoint, which produces very good results.

 

[Light Guru]

I think a handheld scanner will be the better choice than using a camera to scan the book. Nowadays there are handheld scanners which produce high resolution scans in JPEG or PDF formats. I own one myself with which I scan documents and images very often. It produces quick and good quality scans unless you have a huge amount of documents or images where your better choice will be to use services of document scanning companies like Ash Conversions in Weston. I can’t say any specific brand is better as I have used only one called Vupoint, which produces very good results.

There are several reasons s hand held scanner would not be a good option.

-You cannot color calibrate them.
-They do not give you a uncompressed original file.
-And most importantly the scan sensor is moved by hand. If the operator does not move the device at the exact same pace each time you will have problems.