Scanners and Scanning Systems

The Digital Projects Unit utilizes a variety of equipment to scan photographic and print materials for inclusion in the Libraries' Digital Collections, Portal to Texas History^SM, and other initiatives.

 

• Dedicated Film Scanners
• Duplex Scanner
• Flatbed Scanners
• Large Format Scanners
• Planetary Scanners

 

Dedicated Film Scanners

 

Model:  Canon CanoScan FS4000US Desktop Film Scanner

Manufacturer:  Canon U.S.A., Inc., Lake Success, NY

Features:  optical resolution 4000 dpi; scans 35mm color and monochrome positives/negatives, mounted slide film, and filmstrips; scans advanced photo system color positives/negatives, monochrome negatives, mounted slide film, and cartridge; portable; lightweight

How we use it:  35mm slide and negative scans, back-up for our newer scanners

 

 

Model:  Nikon Super CoolScan 8000 ED Film Scanner

Manufacturer:  Nikon USA

Features:  scanning area 63.5 x 88mm (10,00 x 13,860 pixels); optical resolution 4000 dpi; scans 120/220 up to 6 x 9, 35mm, panorama

How we use it: scanning 35mm film and 120 (medium format) film at an optical resolution up to 4,000 dpi
 

 

 

Duplex Scanner

 
Model:  Fujitsu fi-4340C Image Scanner

Manufacturer:  Fujitsu Limited, Tokyo, Japan

Features:  600 dpi optical resolution, 100-page automatic document feeder, dual color CCDs scan both sides of a page in one pass, scanning speed up to 80ipm for monochrome at 200 dpi

How we use it:  high-speed scanning of books and documents that can be disbound

Example scans:

• FCC Record, Volume 7, No. 9, Pages 2468 to 2843, April 20-May 1, 1992
• College of Music Program Book 1990-1991, Vol. 1

 

 
 

Flatbed Scanners

 

Model:  Epson Expression 10000XL-Photo Scanner

Manufacturer:  Epson America, Inc., Long Beach, CA, affiliate of Seiko Epson Corporation

Features:  scanning area 12.2" x 17.2"; 2400 x 4800 dpi resolution; includes 12.2" x 16.5" transparency adapter; scanning speed at 2400 dpi, draft mode, 16.0 msec/line for color, 5.3 msec/line for grayscale, and 5.3 msec/line for line art

 
How we use it:  scanning photographic prints, photographic negatives in sizes from 35mm roll film to large format sheet film, glass plate negatives, and large documents

Example scan:

• Prickly Pear, Yearbook of Abilene Christian University, 2007
  

 

 

Model:  Epson Perfection V700 Photo Scanner

Manufacturer:  Epson America, Inc., Long Beach, CA, affiliate of Seiko Epson Corporation

Features:  scanning area 8.5" x 11.7"; dual lenses allowing scanning at optical resolutions of either 4800 dpi or 6400 dpi; transparency adapter built-in lid with film holders for 35mm slides/film, medium format strips, and 4" x 5" film; 8" x 10" film area guide; scanning speed 12.3 msec/line

How we use it:  scanning photographic prints, photographic negatives in sizes from 35mm roll film to large format sheet film, glass plate negatives, and documents

Example scans:

• [Two unidentified churches]
• [Five children in a turnip field]

Model: Epson Perfection V750-M Pro Scanner

Manufacturer:  Epson America, Inc., Long Beach, CA, affiliate of Seiko Epson Corporation

Features:  scanning area 8.5" x 11.7"; dual lenses allowing scanning at optical resolutions of either 4800 dpi or 6400 dpi; transparency adapter built-in lid with film holders for 35mm slides/film, medium format strips, and 4" x 5" film; 8" x 10" film area guide; fluid mount tray and film guide for wet mount film scanning; scanning speed 10.8 msec/line

How we use it:  scanning photographic prints, photographic negatives in sizes from 35mm roll film to large format sheet film, glass plate negatives, and documents



Model:  Epson 4990 Photo/Pro Scanner

Manufacturer:  Epson America, Inc., Long Beach, CA, affiliate of Seiko Epson Corporation

Features:  scanning area 8.5" x 11.7"; optical resolution 4800 dpi; transparency adapter built-in lid with film holders for 35mm slides/film, medium format strips, and 4" x 5" film; 8" x 10" film area guide; scanning speed 12.3 msec/line

How we use it:  scanning photographic prints, photographic negatives in sizes from 35mm roll film to large format sheet film, glass plate negatives, and documents

Example scan:

• Fireworks at the Denton County Courthouse Celebrating the End of World War I

 

 

Model:  Microtek Scanmaker X12USL

Manufacturer:  Microtek International, Inc., Hsinchu, Taiwan

Features:  scan area 8.5" x 14", optical resolution 1200 x 2400 dpi, lightweight and compact

How we use it:  We take it "on the road" when we need to scan materials outside of the lab.

Example scans:

• Wood Goin & Lillian Goin, 1914
• Unidentified Boy with Crate and Washtub

 
 

Model:  Plustek OpticBook 3600 Scanner

Manufacturer:  Plustek North America, Cerritos, CA

Features:  scan area 8.5" x 11.69", optical resolution 1200 dpi, lightweight and compact, utilizes a specially designed edge and lamp to eliminate book spine shadows, very easy to use

How we use it:  specialized scanning situations, quickly scanning small books and pamphlets

 

 

 Model:  UMAX PowerLook 2100XL

Manufacturer:  UMAX Technologies.  North American market has been outsourced to Techville, Inc., Dallas, TX

Features:  scanning area 12" x 17", sealed optical system preventing dust penetration of the optical unit; transparency adapter allows scanning of films, slides, and transparencies

How we use it:  scanning photographic prints, photographic negatives in sizes from 35mm roll film to large format sheet film, glass plate negatives, and documents

Example scans:

• A Texas City Policeman After the 1947 Texas City Disaster
• The View from Galveston After the 1947 Texas City Disaster
  

 

 

Large Format Scanners

 

Model:  BetterLight Super 8K-2 Scanning System

Manufacturer:  Better Light, Inc., San Carlos, CA

Features:  Kodak trilinear color CCD technology, 11 f-stop dynamic range, native resolution of 8000 x 10,660 pixels

We currently use our BetterLight scan back with a Cambo Legend 4 x 5 camera and 100mm, 135mm, and 180mm Rodenstock Apo-Sironar-S f/5.6 lenses, and a Fujinon A S 240mm f/9 lens.  In the lab we mount the camera on a Bogen/Manfrotto 3263 deluxe geared tripod head on a Cambo UST 7' studio stand with balancing arm and base.  Documents to be scanned are typically mounted on a vacuum easel or magnet board and lit with low heat North Light HID lights.

Outside the lab, we carry a Bogen 3251 tripod and 329RC4 low profile 3-way pan-tilt head and incorporate the BetterLight panoramic adapter as needed.

How we use it:  digitization of large format items such as maps, charts, posters, and newspapers; general and panoramic high-resolution photography

Example scans:

• Newsmap.  For the Armed Forces. 247th week of the war, 129th week of U.S. participation
• Soil Map, Reconnaissance Survey, Texas, West-Central Sheet
• The Ferris Wheel, Volume 4, No. 52, Saturday, August 28, 1897

 

 

 

Model:  VIDAR TruScan Latitude P-121 Color Scanner

Manufacturer:  The P-121 is a legacy model.  Newer VIDAR models are manufactured by VIDAR Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA

Features:  roller feed, wide (54") format

How we use it:  scanning posters, maps, and newspapers that are in good condition.  Once our primary large-format scanner, this model now serves as a back-up to our BetterLight system.

Example scans: 

• Give Us Lumber for More PT's
• United We Are Strong, United We Will Win

 

 

Planetary Scanners

Model:  Atiz BookDrive DIY Book Scanner

Manufacturer:  Atiz Innovation, Inc., Los Angeles, CA

Features:  v-shaped cradle with spring-loaded, v-shaped transparent platen that minimizes stress on book bindings; overhead mounted cameras and light

We have modified our Atiz set-up, using two Canon EOS 1 DS II cameras mounted on Bogen 3021BPRO tripod legs with Bogen 808RC4 3-way pan/tilt heads for greater stability and range of positioning.  Because these cameras have full-frame image sensors, we can utilize a variety of Canon lenses with Canon EF 12 II extension tubes.  We also use this system with Canon 50D cameras and Canon Rebel XT cameras.  Light is currently provided by one Lowel T1-10 Tota-light, although we can change the light source at will with our modified set-up.

How we use it:  scanning modern, rare, and antique books from miniature to ledger size at speeds up to 500 pages per hour

Example scan: 

• The Chromascope, Volume 6, 1905

 

 

Model:  Zeutschel Omniscan 10000TT High-Performance Overhead Color Scanning System

Manufacturer:  Zeutschel GmbH, Tuebingen, Germany

Features:  adjustable book cradle with removable glass plate, minimal light load on document, low heat

How we use it:  scanning large documents and books up to 100 mm thickness

Example scans: 

• Fifty Birds of Town and City
• Reducing Damage to Trees from Construction Work
• Atys:  tragedie mise en musique