CHOOSING BOOK SCANNERS & ACCESSORIES
Before researching specific products you may want to consider your answers to the AIA Book Scanning Needs Assessment. We would be happy to discuss your answers to those and other questions or issues you may have. We have a comprehensive line of book scanning technology and accessories represented by the links on this page. We can provide more information, answer your questions, help you figure out what best fits your application, and even customize or design equipment to meet your needs.
All book scanners have the same basic elements:
- An imaging camera or scanner (a head);
- A base of a specific size which may or may not have a book cradle built into it, and may have a hinged glass to hold pages flat;
- A column of a fixed height that holds a carriage which can move up or down the column to adjust the distance from the focal plane (page/s) to the imager, or a set fixed-height "neck" connecting to the base;
- A lens for resolving the image (with or without "auto focus");
- A source of light;
- Image capture and/or post-processing software;
- A computer and monitor.
Book Scanners Can Be Categorized as Proprietary Scanners and Integrated Component Scanners
Proprietary book scanners--all components are from one manufacturer, designed for maximum throughput and productivity, providing software for image processing and correction of book curvatures etc., and supplying everything in a neat, ergonomic and esthetically pleasing package. Proprietary book scanning machines are designed for a single purpose...to scan books and are, therefore, optimized for productivity. They may have tables with built-in cradles (although many are 180° only), special tracking lights or fixed lighting, and auto fixed focus lenses, allowing operators little or no latitude to manipulate basics such as exposure, scan time, and focus. Most adjustments to the "look" (contrast, brightness, sharpness) of the scan is made in batched post-processing software or done on the fly as presets. Additionally, the book scanning machines often come with book imaging manipulation software to correct the curvatures of pages, sharpen the edges of type, convert RGB to b/w and gray scale, etc. Their forte is easy operation and fast throughput.
A note: auto focus lenses on DSLR cameras that use a single point focusing system may not be appropriate for book scanning because, unless a page is held down flat (usually with glass), the difference in height between the focal point and the actual focal plane may cause some of the type to be sharp and some less sharp (unless compensated for by increasing depth of field, in which case more light or longer exposures may be needed).
Integrated systems put together components such as cameras, lights, lenses, copy stands and book cradles from different manufacturers to meet specific needs or cost necessities, much like a component stereo system or home theater. The integrated systems provide the same functionality as proprietary scanners, but each component is selected because it is judged "the best" for that particular function, or meets a desired price point. The emphasis is on image quality, and esthetically, as anyone with a component stereo can testify, they are not as attractive as a Boom Box. Integrated component book scanners take various components (lenses, cameras, lights, copy stands) from photography, add a digital scan back or DSLR, specialized lights (usually no heat and low UV), and a book cradle. Most importantly, integrated component book scanners mimic a photographic workflow. The initial design intent is to maximize image quality and color accuracy, add photographic control, and provide greater flexibility in utilizing specialized adjustable angle cradles, accommodate oversized books, and easily convert to capture other flat art and possibly 3d objects.
Because the workflow is photographic, the systems can be slower than the book scanning machines, and most do not offer book-specific post-processing image manipulation (although AIAXact systems do as an option). Any "fixes" (like curvature) must be photographically corrected before the scanning (e.g., using a piece of glass to hold a page flat so there is no curve, or increasing the depth of field to hold focus for a large amount of pages vs. auto focusing). Arguably, when speed is not the only criteria, these systems produce better images at ultra-high resolutions (up to 416 MP), produce more accurate color reproduction (16 bit), and best lend themselves to the process of handling rare, fragile and oversized books. However, recent development of 22, 39, 50, and 60 Megapixel Arrays in medium format DSLRs can provide higher resolution and fast capture speed, although there is a difference in image quality between line scanning heads and faster single shot cameras. Of course whether these differences are significant depends on the value given to the tradeoff between faster throughput and image quality.
The type of book scanner to research and purchase depends primarily on the purpose of your scanning (why you are doing it and what the end product will be used for), and, of course, your budget. Systems range between $7,000 for a small entry level system with limited size and resolution great for copying and web access only, up to $250,000 + for a Dline Auto Page Turning Robotic Scanner.
Selecting a book scanner is a process of eliminating tradeoffs:
- Speed (pages per hour) for productivity vs. image quality in terms of resolution, color fidelity, noise levels; and size and condition of the books;
- Convenience vs. versatility and flexibility to image other types of materials including 3D objects;
- Budget vs. how much I can get for my money.