Photo holder for flatbed scanner

[craig]

I am investigating some options for scanning my family's collection of
happy snaps into digital form. I have an existing flatbed scanner
(Canon MP750) that I can use, but one problem I have faced in the past
when scanning is that, after years of sitting in an envelope, the
photos do not actually lie flat on the platen. Trying to line up 3-4
photos so that they lie square is a nightmare! The slightest breeze
from my arm or the scanner lid sends them askew.

I was wondering if there is a device that I could insert the photos
into that would help me get the photos aligned correctly. I was
thinking I could cobble one together with a piece of stiff cardboard
and blue-tack (or some such thing), but thought I would check to see if
there is a standard device/accessory that would help me here. One that
takes either 3 or 4 standard 6x4 photos would be the goods, I think.

Alternatively, I have a Nikon D70 that I could use to re-photograph
them with. While I have seen a number of people recommend this, I
haven't seen too many descriptions of how I could setup a rig to do
this for hundreds of photos. Any pointers to a description of how this
might normally be done?

Many thanks.

 

[CSM1]

I am investigating some options for scanning my family's collection of
happy snaps into digital form. I have an existing flatbed scanner
(Canon MP750) that I can use, but one problem I have faced in the past
when scanning is that, after years of sitting in an envelope, the
photos do not actually lie flat on the platen. Trying to line up 3-4
photos so that they lie square is a nightmare! The slightest breeze
from my arm or the scanner lid sends them askew.

I was wondering if there is a device that I could insert the photos
into that would help me get the photos aligned correctly. I was
thinking I could cobble one together with a piece of stiff cardboard
and blue-tack (or some such thing), but thought I would check to see if
there is a standard device/accessory that would help me here. One that
takes either 3 or 4 standard 6x4 photos would be the goods, I think.

Alternatively, I have a Nikon D70 that I could use to re-photograph
them with. While I have seen a number of people recommend this, I
haven't seen too many descriptions of how I could setup a rig to do
this for hundreds of photos. Any pointers to a description of how this
might normally be done?

Many thanks.

A Scanner is a better tool for prints than a copy stand or any other method
with a digital camera. Unless the print is too large for the scanner.


But you can do it.
This is the way to setup the studio.
http://www.carlmcmillan.com/how_to_copy_with_digital_camera.htm

As to aligning the photos on the scanner bed, just be careful, don't slam
the lid down.
You could also gently place a light weight on the prints to keep them in
place.

Any reason that you can't butt the prints together? Align the first with the
edge of the scanner bed and go from there.

If you have the software that needs some space around each photo to
recognize each one, then you just have to eye ball it. You could cut some
clear plastic strips for spacers.

 

[tomm42]

I am investigating some options for scanning my family's collection of
happy snaps into digital form. I have an existing flatbed scanner
(Canon MP750) that I can use, but one problem I have faced in the past
when scanning is that, after years of sitting in an envelope, the
photos do not actually lie flat on the platen. Trying to line up 3-4
photos so that they lie square is a nightmare! The slightest breeze
from my arm or the scanner lid sends them askew.

I was wondering if there is a device that I could insert the photos
into that would help me get the photos aligned correctly. I was
thinking I could cobble one together with a piece of stiff cardboard
and blue-tack (or some such thing), but thought I would check to see if
there is a standard device/accessory that would help me here. One that
takes either 3 or 4 standard 6x4 photos would be the goods, I think.

Alternatively, I have a Nikon D70 that I could use to re-photograph
them with. While I have seen a number of people recommend this, I
haven't seen too many descriptions of how I could setup a rig to do
this for hundreds of photos. Any pointers to a description of how this
might normally be done?

Many thanks.

After many years of heavy use, my film holders for an Epson Expression
were falling apart. With Epson you could buy new ones as spare parts
through an authorized repair station, not easy to find. But when I did
find them they were very easy to deal with. Check Canon's web site and
you might want to call their tech support to find where you can
purchase a new set.

Tom

 

[Don]

I am investigating some options for scanning my family's collection of
happy snaps into digital form. I have an existing flatbed scanner
(Canon MP750) that I can use, but one problem I have faced in the past
when scanning is that, after years of sitting in an envelope, the
photos do not actually lie flat on the platen. Trying to line up 3-4
photos so that they lie square is a nightmare! The slightest breeze
from my arm or the scanner lid sends them askew.

Yes, that's a common problem when you scan multiple pictures at once.

One option is to slightly rotate them in software but that will cause
some loss of quality (slight blurring).

However, (due to a different issue) I stick my photos to a piece of
Plexiglas (but any firm material will do such as a metal plate or a
thin piece of wood, or whatever) and then place the whole thing, face
down, on the scanner glass.

I only do one photo at a time, but you could arrange multiple photos
with the glue used for mounting photos into an album. That's not a
permanent fix but you can move the photos around until they are lined
up and then easily remove them all after you're done.

Make sure you still put the scanner lid down or if the plate is too
thick scan in a darkened room to avoid stray light from the side.

Alternatively, I have a Nikon D70 that I could use to re-photograph
them with. While I have seen a number of people recommend this, I
haven't seen too many descriptions of how I could setup a rig to do
this for hundreds of photos. Any pointers to a description of how this
might normally be done?

If you go this route I would suggest using a tripod. Simply arrange
the photos on the floor and then shoot from above. By using a tripod
with angle markers you can make sure the camera is parallel to the
floor to avoid any distortion.

Don.

 

[craig]

Any reason that you can't butt the prints together? Align the first
with the edge of the scanner bed and go from there.

That is no problem when the photos are flat. However, after years of
sitting in an envelope most of them have taken on an inverse-arch shape
(ie. when placed picture-side down on the glass, the edges are floating
slightly above the glass - like a flat parabola.) In many cases, the
curving is so pronounced, the edges are actually above the lip of the
scanner bed. If I press my finger on the back of the photo, it
flattens out just fine, but as soon as I take it off, they spring back
into their curved shape. When you have three or four photos all
balanced precariously, the slightest breeze will cause one of them to
swing awry, and it usually touches one of the others, thus misaligning
them as well.

However, (due to a different issue) I stick my photos to a piece of
Plexiglas (but any firm material will do such as a metal plate or a
thin piece of wood, or whatever) and then place the whole thing, face
down, on the scanner glass.

Yeah... this is what I was thinking of doing and was wondering if this
was a common enough problem for a company to build a product, or
whether I (and others) would just go for a home-grown solution.

If you go this route I would suggest using a tripod. Simply arrange
the photos on the floor and then shoot from above.

This was my initial thought, but my current tripod doesn't rotate
enough (I don't think) to facilitate the camera pointing to the ground.
I am also conscious of lighting in this scenario, because I presume
that if I use the camera flash, I will get a nice white reflection on
the photo (due to the camera being oriented at 90% to the target
photo). I guess a secondary lighting source is the go here...

Anyway, thanks to all for their feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[teflon nonstick]

You could cut a selection of heavy cardboard shapes and put one on each
photo to hold it in place. It's quick, it's easy and it's free!