Message-Id: <199804142327.QAA66514@dns.ccit.arizona.edu> Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 16:23:31 -0700 From: James Otto <mailto:jotto@ROCKY.CLAREMONT.EDU> Subject: Scanner vs. Digital Camera To: mailto:IMAGELIB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Greetings,A few weeks ago I sent a question to the list regarding your experiences with Minolta's EPIC 3000 and similar devices. I received several replies--thanks! Recently I had an opportunity to see this scanner first-hand and was quite impressed. But I am still in something of a quandary: I also learned recently of Leica's release of their S1 digital camera--paired with the proper imaging software it perhaps could be a viable alternative to an overhead scanner such as the Minolta. I was hoping someone might have some suggestions. Here goes:
_Our Needs & Preferences_______________ -Equipment to be used to image delicate materials; minimal contact desired between imaging equipment and materials; *no* flatbed or "roll-n-drag" (handheld) scanners would be acceptable. -Imaging quality of at least 400+ dpi desired for most projects; 600+ dpi would be ideal. -Users of our department regularly request photographic or photocopy reproductions of items in our collections. -InterLibrary Loan access to our collections desirable. We use Ariel (if you aren't aquainted, Ariel is like a fax but uses internet transmission instead of telephone lines, for reproduction that is superior to fax) for electronic transmission of ILL requests. Currently only using flatbed scanners for Ariel requests; with non-flatbed imaging equipment could ariel [verb] delicate materials that now we cannot. -Color imaging needed for WWW exhibits. B/W imaging sufficient for text-only utilitarian imaging.
_Pros & Cons of Minolta's EPIC 3000____________ -Overhead scanner: minimal contact with materials. -Curvature correction software reduces image distortion of tightly bound volumes. -400 dpi maximum quality. Insufficient for archival-standard imaging but is best overhead scanner available. -Can deliver high-quality image printout when attached to laser or very good inkjet printer. -Can be incorporated into an Ariel-based electronic ILL delivery system. -Images of text could be run through an OCR program. -CON: B/W only.
_Pros & Cons of Leica S1________________ -Minimal contact with materials. -300-600+ dpi (varies according to size of material to be imaged and its distance from camera). -Color. -OCR? Ariel? Quick and easy printout?
_Question RE: Leica S1________________ Chances are that no one (or at least not many) users of this or any such list will have first-hand experience with a just-released $20,000 digital camera. But I was wondering if anyone has had any success using a digital camera (preferably a good one) to image items that need to be OCRed? Sent by electronic ILL? Printed out for users? "Archived" as part of an image database? The fact that the Leica camera can make color images makes it a tempting alternative to the Minolta scanner but the scanner's features may offer more versitility. What would you choose?
Sorry about the long message. Any information would be appreciated. Further info about the products described can be found at http://ows.minoltausa.com/minolta/owa/productlinelist?cat=ep&frame=N (for Minolta) and http://www.leica-camera.com/elec_img/eisys_e.htm (for Leica).
--James A. Otto Digital Projects Specialist / ERes Manager The Libraries of The Claremont Colleges 800 Dartmouth Claremont, CA 91711 (909) 607-7530 (Special Collections) mailto:jotto@rocky.claremont.edu
"So long as I am in my right mind there is nothing that I prefer to a delightful friend." --Horace, Satire I,5