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

 

 

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., Isinchu, 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, Denmark

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.  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