Simple new scanner

[TJ-Shredder]

Inspired by all the works shown here, and driven by the need to keep costs low, I created a simple but robust scanner. I scanned already some dozen books successfully with it...
I built a simple wooden construction to hold the book (no costs, as I found the wooden parts in my basement). It is simplified as it only has a single 45° plate. I could afford only one camera anyway, so there was no need to do the other side, I use other books to support the book I scan from underneath...

Construction of the plate

My first book scanner Construct.jpg (41.23 KiB) Viewed 5202 times

I bought a simple camera from Samsung (ES17) for 47 Euros. It would deliver 12 mega pixels and was the cheapest model in the shop. As 8 mega pixel is the resolution for a DIN A4 page at 300 ppi, I though to go higher. I added a tripod for 12 Euros and a glas plate for about 5 Euros, and a black cardboard (2 Euros) to have a dark survace. The cardboard will also fix the book better to the surface...

Scanner from aside

My first book scanner Side.jpg (27.79 KiB) Viewed 5202 times

Scanner from above

My first book scanner View.jpg (30.88 KiB) Viewed 5202 times

For lighting I used an old ulight (300 W), and unscrewed the upper part and let it hang down...

My first book scanner Lamp.jpg (43.09 KiB) Viewed 5202 times

Total cost including camera less than 70 Euros (including batteries for the camera, excluding the parts I had already...)

The main problems I face with this construction, is reflection on the glass, (solved by attaching some black cardboard to the camera) and I get between 2 and 4 percent bad focused or shaky pictures, which I simply photograph again. I guess the lighting has to be improved for solving that...

The camera has to be adjusted carefully with the aid of an air lever and all is good for scantailor. I still need to test unpaper and compare, it seems there isn't much experience with unpaper in this forum...

Any comments are welcome...

Stefan

[daniel_reetz]

Stefan, I LOVE your halogen light hack! As well as all the documentation you produced. I am certain this (like many other great descriptions here) will help other people scan books.

When you were scanning, did you find that books would slide down the 45 degree half-platen? Or did they stay where they should be?

[daniel_reetz]

it seems there isn't much experience with unpaper in this forum...

As far as I know, you're right. If you spent some time with Unpaper, many people would be interested to hear what you have to say.

[TJ-Shredder]

When you were scanning, did you find that books would slide down the 45 degree half-platen? Or did they stay where they should be?

I supported them simply with a rest of the same (thick) plank I made the stand, and/or with another book. Look at the second photo, its quite obvious. This is pretty flexible, as I can control the degree the other side will stay at. I can have it bigger than 90° or move it just up a bit. No Problem so far... But I probably will give that plank an angle to support it a bit better...

Bookscanning is fun...

Stefan