Scanning Raw Comics 1 1

[love_love_love]

Hi All,

I have a MOUNTAIN of raw books that I need to scan. Searched through the forum but didn’t really find as much info as I expected. Found a lot for slabs but this is for raw books only.

The goal is to only scan one time and get it right the 1^st time.

Questions:

1.       Scanner

I want a high-speed flatbed scanner. Since its only scanning front and back of a comic I guess it can be overkill to use too much money but buying the cheapest might give bad results.
Anyone have a model with good experience on RAW comics?

End Result: The tests give very different results. Some scanners seem to TOTALLY remove all gloss and even the smallest imperfection stick out. The goal is to get a FAIR scan, as close to reality as possible. I do not want to manipulate the picture after it is scanned.

2.       DPI

The factors here is to find a mix of something that is detailed enough but make sure there is no problems with files being to big (can’t use on ebay, can’t mail etc.). Have seen recommendations on anything from 72 to 600 but have no idea.

3.       Filetype

What is the most common filetype? Is it .jpeg? I know nothing about this.

4.       Automatic filename

Something that really take time is to enter filename. Is there any software that does this automatically? With automatically I than mean that if you save something as 00001, the next file will be called 00002.

5.       Multiple Scanners

There is so many people on the boards with experience and I am wondering if it is any idea to scan with 2-3 scanners at the same time for 1 person? I thought about it and obviously it will save time. Possible negative outcome from it might be stress or saving wrong filenames.
Very curious what experience you guys have!

Thanks,

Bob

[UncleBEN]

I have always thought this type would be great for scanning 

 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/shine-ultra-next-gen-portable-powerful-scanner#/

Edited June 8, 2020 by UncleBEN

[littledoom]

I use a Brother MFC printer/copier/scanner all in one... the scanner works... to be clear.. all minor imperfections should come out ... I find that many surface creases on the front and back covers are hidden in scanned photos and how flat a comic is is lost.. also some people pay up dependent on how white the interior pages are... but yes scans are a lot easier than taking pictures

[littledoom]

6 hours ago, UncleBEN said:

I have always thought this type would be great for scanning 

 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/shine-ultra-next-gen-portable-powerful-scanner#/

cool

[love_love_love]

Thanks a lot Uncle Ben! Never seen that before looked really cool. 

Littledoom: I agree that imperfections should be shown. But on the flip side the nice things, like good gloss should be shown to. I have had Pacific Coasts where the superhero pop out of the cover but the scan look like it's Victorian age. 

 

What trike me with the new scanner was that it is quick so it probably makes sense to take 4-5 scans of each book instead of the normal 2?

Thanks again, 

 

Bob

[THE_BEYONDER]

Scan the front and back at 350dpi (minimum) , and take a pic at an angle to the light to show the gloss if that’s something that stands out .

No need for multiple scans 

 

Edited June 9, 2020 by THE_BEYONDER

[love_love_love]

Does the filetype like .jpg or .bnp have anything to say or am I just a dinosaur?

What is the normal/expected size of each picture?

[THE_BEYONDER]

1 hour ago, love_love_love said:

Does the filetype like .jpg or .bnp have anything to say or am I just a dinosaur?

What is the normal/expected size of each picture?

Jpeg 

[littledoom]

You can just write "Glossy" in the title if it's not coming out in the scans.. A good old camera and daylight will showcase the gloss.

[mrwoogieman]

My ancient Epson 2400 photo flatbed scanner just keeps plugging along. Gotta be 12-15 years old by this point, and whenever I get a new computer I have to search the web for the drivers. But I'll keep using it until it dies someday!

Edited June 9, 2020 by mrwoogieman
added scan sample

[Spawnfreak]

On 6/7/2020 at 11:32 PM, love_love_love said:

Hi All,

 

I have a MOUNTAIN of raw books that I need to scan. Searched through the forum but didn’t really find as much info as I expected. Found a lot for slabs but this is for raw books only.

 

The goal is to only scan one time and get it right the 1^st time.

 

Questions:

 

1.       Scanner

 

I want a high-speed flatbed scanner. Since its only scanning front and back of a comic I guess it can be overkill to use too much money but buying the cheapest might give bad results.
Anyone have a model with good experience on RAW comics?

 

End Result: The tests give very different results. Some scanners seem to TOTALLY remove all gloss and even the smallest imperfection stick out. The goal is to get a FAIR scan, as close to reality as possible. I do not want to manipulate the picture after it is scanned.

 

2.       DPI

 

The factors here is to find a mix of something that is detailed enough but make sure there is no problems with files being to big (can’t use on ebay, can’t mail etc.). Have seen recommendations on anything from 72 to 600 but have no idea.

 

3.       Filetype

 

What is the most common filetype? Is it .jpeg? I know nothing about this.

 

4.       Automatic filename

 

Something that really take time is to enter filename. Is there any software that does this automatically? With automatically I than mean that if you save something as 00001, the next file will be called 00002.

 

5.       Multiple Scanners

 

There is so many people on the boards with experience and I am wondering if it is any idea to scan with 2-3 scanners at the same time for 1 person? I thought about it and obviously it will save time. Possible negative outcome from it might be stress or saving wrong filenames.
Very curious what experience you guys have!

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

 

Hi! I use an HP F4400 that I have had for 18 years. Have attached some scans. Shows EVERY flaw! For CGC cases, I work at Staples, and the self-serve copiers are the right size.

[love_love_love]

Thanks a lot for the replies!

But that Spawn #1 is exactly what I meant; there is not really any gloss and I can't imagine that it looks like that live?

Also to add a note "book is glossy" I think most people will just ignore unless it's people that trust you. The same way Pedigreecomics always say that it SHOULD be a 9.8 and not a 9.6.

 

A wild idea that just crossed my mind was to take a memory stick and just take a walk in the big office building and try different scanners. Like Spawnfreak wrote I think that sometimes the old scanners might be just as good.

If nothing works than simply go for the modern one UncleBen linked to.

[Spawnfreak]

3 hours ago, love_love_love said:

Thanks a lot for the replies!

But that Spawn #1 is exactly what I meant; there is not really any gloss and I can't imagine that it looks like that live?

Also to add a note "book is glossy" I think most people will just ignore unless it's people that trust you. The same way Pedigreecomics always say that it SHOULD be a 9.8 and not a 9.6.

 

A wild idea that just crossed my mind was to take a memory stick and just take a walk in the big office building and try different scanners. Like Spawnfreak wrote I think that sometimes the old scanners might be just as good.

If nothing works than simply go for the modern one UncleBen linked to.

Just a feeling, but I don't think there is a scanner around  that will show gloss. It takes an angle shot,with light at an angle, to do that; scanners scan at right angles. That's why sometimes, cameras are best!

[love_love_love]

Yeah you are probably right about that. I guess there is a reason photoghraphy is a profession.

I take the round tomorrow and if nothing surprise me I go for UncleBens modern one!

Thanks a lot for helping out!

Bob

[telerites]

On 6/7/2020 at 10:32 PM, love_love_love said:

I have a MOUNTAIN of raw books that I need to scan.

Not sure if this is a fit or not but have you thought about using the Microsoft Lens app on your cell?  If you have a lot of books and want to process them quickly it may work for you. 

I was a skeptic but I tried it along with some other similar apps.  It did a very good job.  I still scan a lot of books too.  Here is an example of a lobby card I used MS Lens on (lobby cards are 11" x 14" so fairly large). It autocropped and I did nothing to enhance the image below.  This card is from the 1940s so not pristine.