Large Format Flatbed Scanner

Thanks, Paul. Those were my basic conclusions from some limited web
searching. Actually what I would like to do is OCR conversion of the
news print. I've tried using digital camera images, but have had very
poor results. A flatbed is the answer, but none are available at a
resonable price. I did see one, but it cost $18K. That is a bit too
high for a hobbyist.

Thanks for the reply,

Smooth

Paul Rubin wrote:
> srr113.DeleteThis@hotmail.com writes:
> > Are there any reasonably-priced flatbed scanners that can handle 13" X
> > 22" documents? I would like to have the capability of scanning entire
> > newspaper pages. Thanks.
>
> Not really. There are a fair number of 11x17 scanners that can scan a
> tabloid page, and there are large format ($$$) sheet fed scanners that
> can scan larger pages. There are also overhead ("planetary") scanners
> that are basically large format scanning-type digicams, also quite
> expensive. If this is for personal use and you just want readable
> copy, you can use a consumer DSLR, but the results won't be nearly as
> good as what you'd get with a scanner.
>
> 17x22 inch flatbed scanners do exist but the ones I know of are very
> expensive and probably pretty slow.
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On Jan 1, 11:08 pm, srr....RemoveThis@hotmail.com wrote:
> Are there any reasonably-priced flatbed scanners that can handle 13" X
> 22" documents? I would like to have the capability of scanning entire
> newspaper pages. Thanks.
>
> Smooth

All depends on your definition of reasonable. A Umax Powerlook 2100 can
be purchased refurb for $1000-1500. that is about the best price. If
you consider the construction requirements of these scanners you begin
to see that is almost a bargain. UMAX Powerlook scanners are very good.
But these are 12x17 scanners, can certainly handle 1 newspaper page but
not a double spread.
Forget Ebay, I tried to buy 3 UMAX Mirage scanners, each one was
severely damaged in shipping. No horror stories, all good Ebay sellers,
just disappointment, UPS was a pain though.
If you end up photographing the pages you'll have to do this 1/2 page
at a time.

Have a good New Year
Tom
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In article <1167710886.399821.10230.TakeThisOut@k21g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
srr113.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com wrote:

> Are there any reasonably-priced flatbed scanners that can handle 13" X
> 22" documents? I would like to have the capability of scanning entire
> newspaper pages. Thanks.
>
I think you'll find them very expensive.

I did scan a series of old tabloid-sized UK comics a few years back on
an A4 flatbed. Scanning in two parts and using Photoshop to merge the
two halves.

I'm assuming you'll be trying OCR once you scanned the pages. I have
tried Omnipage Pro 2 which did a really poor job. Hopefully things have
improved.
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"tomm42" <tmonego RemoveThis @wildblue.net> writes:
> All depends on your definition of reasonable. A Umax Powerlook 2100 can
> be purchased refurb for $1000-1500. that is about the best price. If
> you consider the construction requirements of these scanners you begin
> to see that is almost a bargain. UMAX Powerlook scanners are very good.
> But these are 12x17 scanners, can certainly handle 1 newspaper page but
> not a double spread.

If it's just 12x17 (probably actually A3), there are lots of scanners
that size, in the $500 range on ebay. 17x22 is a lot harder.
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Stewy wrote:
> I did scan a series of old tabloid-sized UK comics a few years back on
> an A4 flatbed. Scanning in two parts and using Photoshop to merge the
> two halves.

You could use AutoStitch, a free program to make panorama photos, to
merge the 2 halves. Just leave some overlap so AutoStitch can
join the 2.
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