Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Everything camera related. Includes triggers, batteries, power supplies, flatbeds and sheet-feeding scanners, too.

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davidfkane
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by davidfkane »

Hi All,

It has been a while since the last post on this thread. I have all but built the standard hackerspace scanner (DIY Book Scanner). I need to get my cameras. It looks as though the Canon PowerShots are the most appropriate range, since they are the most hackable, using chdk.

Has anyone had particular success with, say, the A3300?

Thanks,

David
markvdb
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by markvdb »

Hi David,
davidfkane wrote: It has been a while since the last post on this thread. I have all but built the standard hackerspace scanner (DIY Book Scanner). I need to get my cameras. It looks as though the Canon PowerShots are the most appropriate range, since they are the most hackable, using chdk.

Has anyone had particular success with, say, the A3300?
At http://diybookscanner.eu , we use the A2200 as part of a full kit. It's not perfect, but cheap, fast and very reliable.
You may also want to have a look at a basic CHDK triggering and downloading script:
https://github.com/markvdb/diybookscann ... eypedal.sh (code contributions welcome!).

Good luck working on your scanner!

Mark
http://diybookscanner.eu - official diybookscanner kit supplier for Europe
Mark
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blorg
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by blorg »

Hey markvdb, I have just built my scanner and am trying to get my A2200's working. What beta build of the a2200's CHDK are you using (i assume somewhere from here, right?: http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=6254.435)

How does your setup with the A2200's work? Are you just using a remote trigger and collecting images on a SD card, or do you somehow have your a2200 hooked up to your computer and downloading everything. I have tried connecting my A2200's with Scan-manager but haven't had luck with those either. Please describe your A2200 setup a bit more, I would love to hear!
markvdb
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by markvdb »

blorg wrote:Hey markvdb, I have just built my scanner and am trying to get my A2200's working. What beta build of the a2200's CHDK are you using (i assume somewhere from here, right?: http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=6254.435)

How does your setup with the A2200's work? Are you just using a remote trigger and collecting images on a SD card, or do you somehow have your a2200 hooked up to your computer and downloading everything. I have tried connecting my A2200's with Scan-manager but haven't had luck with those either. Please describe your A2200 setup a bit more, I would love to hear!
What our (very basic) setup currently does:
* zoom to glass plate
* trigger cameras over usb (chdk+ptp) using a foot pedal
* save the pictures to the sd cards first
* download the pictures from the cameras over usb after the shooting session

That, and some more little tricks (left and right cam detection, flash off, ...).
Mark
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Misty
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by Misty »

I haven't had a chance to add them to the main document yet, but here is the spreadsheet I used when shopping for cameras.

I mainly targeted mirrorless/DSLR cameras, in the mid-to-high price range, that could be triggered either by software or using an official remote interface of some kind. There are a few mirrorless cameras available for *really* cheap these days! Refurb E-PL1, which is a nice-quality 12mp camera, goes for $260 a pop.
The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not necessarily represent those of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
markvdb
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by markvdb »

Misty wrote:I haven't had a chance to add them to the main document yet, but here is the spreadsheet I used when shopping for cameras.

I mainly targeted mirrorless/DSLR cameras, in the mid-to-high price range, that could be triggered either by software or using an official remote interface of some kind. There are a few mirrorless cameras available for *really* cheap these days! Refurb E-PL1, which is a nice-quality 12mp camera, goes for $260 a pop.
If you're interested in DSLRs, you really want the Canon EOS 1100D (world model name)/Rebel T3(US model name). It's about the cheapest DSLR you can get. It has excellent builtin remote triggering supported by gphoto.
Mark
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Misty
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by Misty »

Yeah, the 1100D/T3 is pretty darn good, and being gphoto-triggered is fantastic.

That said, in Canada, the 1100D is about $550 new. For an extra $100 you can get a 600D/T3i, which is 18mp instead of 12mp - not that much more for a big bump in resolution.
The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not necessarily represent those of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
markvdb
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by markvdb »

Misty wrote:Yeah, the 1100D/T3 is pretty darn good, and being gphoto-triggered is fantastic.

That said, in Canada, the 1100D is about $550 new. For an extra $100 you can get a 600D/T3i, which is 18mp instead of 12mp - not that much more for a big bump in resolution.
I updated the google doc with some information on the Canon EOS DSLR series.

Mark
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pauloney
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by pauloney »

Anyone would know what is current good Canon for the Hackerspace Kit ?

I see a lot of good things about the A2200, but the line moves on and one can find A2600 cheaper, so I wonder if that is a good choice, better choice ?

There is also a A3400 IS and A4000 IS, but have no idea how they compare ...

Paulo Ney
dtic
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Re: Cameras for the Hackerspace Scanner

Post by dtic »

edit: I see now that your question concerned the Hackerspace Scanner specifically. My answer below is more generic. Someone with access to a Hackerspace Scanner can probably add a more reliable and detailed answer.

Paul, Here are a few suggestions based on my reading of this forum and some of my own experience. Think through these three steps:

1. what do you plan to scan? For black and white text only (e.g. novels) then 10 megapixel is good enough I think. I use powershot A800 which by now is very old but works just fine nonetheless. For scanning larger print books and (color) images then a better camera will improve the output - someone else here can probably fill in details on what is good enough for that use.

Once you have decided on a megapixel threshold:

2. how do you want to trigger the camera? If you will use a mechanical trigger e.g. as on Daniel's new standard scanner then I suspect, though without experience, that almost any compact camera would work. If you want to use CHDK and trigger the camera from a computer over USB then check the list of supported Canon cameras on http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK . CHDK support lags behind camera releases with at least one year it seems. But most powershot A cameras get CHDK support eventually.

3. Get the cheapest camera that fits your answers to 1 and 2. If you plan to use two cameras then get two of the same model if possible. It is often easy to find used cameras for a very low price.
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