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Author Topic: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!  (Read 1585 times)

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Offline bminor

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Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« on: February 24, 2020, 10:39:11 AM »
What kind of scanner would you people recommend for scanning comic books?
I would think something that could scan a open book, that is two pages at a time would be preferrable.

What kinds do you scanners out there use?

I used a large Epson scanner 11 years ago, was able to scan a 11"x17" it was great!
I now see these new scanners that are on a pedestal that point down and take a digital shot of the comic book.
Some even have "auto flattening" software.
Any of these any good?

Yours in old comics,
Brian
 

Digital Comic Museum

Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« on: February 24, 2020, 10:39:11 AM »

Offline Yoc

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2020, 02:02:01 PM »
Hi B,
Both Soothsayr and Rangerhouse own one of those digital picture scanners you are talking about but they don't come cheap -
http://www.dmiscorp.com/km-ps7000c-mkii-ps5000c-mkii/

-Yoc

Offline Snard

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2020, 02:36:13 PM »
I will try to make my reply brief. Overhead scanners are nice if you have a lot of books to scan and you want to get the job done quickly. But unless they are very expensive (such as the ones owned by the Library of Congress, which are over $20,000), the quality of scans will be poorer than you will get using even a sub $100 flatbed scanner.

In short, I recommend a flatbed scanner with a CCD sensor. I would avoid CIS sensors, as they have poor depth of field and will produce scans that are blurry if the paper isn't firmly on the glass.

Offline Soothsayr

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2020, 03:44:49 PM »
I now see these new scanners that are on a pedestal that point down and take a digital shot of the comic book.
Some even have "auto flattening" software.
Any of these any good?

I use an overhead scanner, as Yoc has mentioned - the Mintolta PS5000c.  I bought it for a pretty penny years ago.  I see one up on ebay for around $500 now.  Those are great overhead scanners, but require a computer to operate (windows), and requires you to run a 32 bit environment.  Minolta has not upgraded the drivers for 64 bit for the ps5000c series.  the ps7000c if you can find them, can run in full 64 bit glory.

As for those "new" pedestal based scanners - I've experimented with a couple - the adage "you get what you pay for" is never more truer than here.  they're crap.

I don't know about the $500 Fujitsu Snapscan SV600 overhead scanner.  Never checked this one out, so I will reserve judgment.

For good cheap scans, stay with a good quality flatbed scanner, unless you're ready to jump feetfirst into the $500+ territory and try those overheads.


Sooth

Offline srca1941

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2020, 03:50:12 PM »
I had an HP scanner that I loved for many years until it conked out a couple of years ago. Then I got an Epson Perfection V550. I've had no complaints with it.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/epson-perfection-v550-photo-scanner-black/1695454.p?skuId=1695454&irclickid=WEQXPv1FnxyOTfq0TWXZ0S3wUknVJFVtTzevyo0&irgwc=1&ref=198&loc=WEQXPv1FnxyOTfq0TWXZ0S3wUknVJFVtTzevyo0&acampID=614286&mpid=78091

I use Vuescan software, which I started using with my HP when I went to Windows 7 and it's native software was no longer supported. There are several great things about Vuescan. It covers MANY models with more added continuously, you can purchase a pro version with lifetime updates, and no matter what scanner you use you have the same software interface with a lot more control over your scan than the manufacturer's software.

https://www.hamrick.com/

-Eric

Offline larrytalbot

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2020, 06:46:11 AM »
Have used Epson Perfection V600 scanner several years now. Works really well & can recommend it highly. Nice color repro. Scanning time is about 5 sec. Trouble-free, so-far.

Offline bminor

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2020, 07:26:51 AM »
Thanks, everybody!

I thought those inexpensive overhead scanners were not so hot!

I am looking at an older Epson GT-1500. It does 11x17.
It is a bit older, but Vuescan works with it.


Offline Yoc

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2020, 09:43:02 AM »
Good luck with this B.
And thanks for all your reviews gang!
:)

Offline bminor

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2020, 11:18:11 AM »
Received my Epson GT-15000 Scanner the other day.
Large format 12"x17"!!!
I have been a graphic designer for almost 40 years and have always wanted one!

It is sooooo nice!

B.


Offline Yoc

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Re: Scanner recommendations for Comic Books!
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2020, 02:29:15 PM »
Very nice!
Let us know how you like it B.
Looking forward to seeing a scan from this new beauty.

-Yoc