Message-Id: <199608211403.JAA26792@library.wustl.edu> Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 09:03:36 -0500 From: "John R. Stokes" <mailto:johnr@JJT.COM> Subject: Digital Cameras and Scanners To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
Response to Rudolf Gschwind's question regarding scanners.At least one digital camera\scanner exists that lets you make the corrections to color negatives necessary to produce high quality images prior to scanning. It is the Kontron Prog Res 3012.
One can preview the digital image at lower resolution in real time (5 or 6 screen refreshes per second) while adjusting white levels, black levels, gamma, light intensity, and composition. Once these adjustments are made, the image is scanned at the resolution you choose (up to 3072x2320 pixels) at 12 bits per pixel. However, the 12-bit per pixel image in converted to 8-bits on output using a look-up-table.
The camera retails in excess of $30,000. In addition, you need a copy stand, light sources, computer, etc to complete the system. A highly productive system will cost $75,000 or more. Unless one has money to spare or a large volume of scanning, it may not be a feasible solution. However, if you want to digitize 25,000 images or more per year from a variety of original formats, it may be the most economically solution to producing high quality digital images.
Assuming one evaluates and adjust every image for color, density, contrast, and composition, an efficient operation should easily digitize 50,000 images per year with a single shift operation and possibly up to 250,000 with a two shift operation. The actual number will depend on the type and condition of the originals being scanned.
I am confident that one can obtain at least as high quality an image through pre-digitizing adjustment of the image parameters on the Kontron as one can obtain by making these adjustments in post scanning. I am equally confident that one can obtain as high quality image using a must less expensive scanner and making adjustment to the scanned image in PhotoShop or other image enhancement program.