Guides on scanning comics?

[ryangarfield]

So I just bought a bunch of Batman comics and would love to read them on the go on my iPad. Rather than tediously scanning them all to my computer, I figured since I own them anyways I would just download them. Most of the comics are scanned quite nicely, however some of them appear to be quite washed out, some are missing covers or have custom logos or whatever on the covers. So my question is then what is the proper technique/tools for scanning comics and enhancing the image? Also if there is a way to enhance the ones I already downloaded, allowing me to only have to rescan some pages here and there.
Cheers.

[lordsmurf]

Slice the binding off, to separate the pages. Then run them through a good professional sheet-feeding flatbed. A friend of mine did this, and it worked great.

Comics fans, of course, will cringe -- as did I -- but the scans are better than trying to fold back pages.

Photoshop will correct most errors. Or rather YOU can correct most errors, using Photoshop.

[olyteddy]

Perhaps an option to slicing the binding would be to remove the staples and find a 'tabloid' size (11 X 17) scanner...

[ryangarfield]

Cheers guys, I've never used Photoshop before, I've always considered investing in it but never really had a need for it, this just might be the day. What specific tools or setting would I be fiddling around with to fix my comics? I could probably figure it out myself, but figure it would be easier to ask.

[redwudz]

If you don't want to spend the $$ for Photoshop, there are a few freeware alternatives like Gimpshop: http://www.gimpshop.com/ It works similar to PS.

Photoshop is a huge program and has a bit of a learning curve. Most simple color corrections are under 'Image>Adjustments'. But there are lots of tutorials on line to assist you with most operations. Photoshop Elements is a lower cost alternative. Some tutorials here for it: http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/

[lordsmurf]

Gimpshop is not a replacement for Photoshop. Nothing replaces Photoshop.
GIMP and Gimpshop are also very unstable on Windows. Those are Linux native programs.

You can buy the Elements version for under $50: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F...reative=390957
Buy the "old version" (it's perfectly fine).
The "new" version is under $75, if you give in to Amazon's psych marketing ("old version", indeed).

I don't know of any tabloid sized scanners.

[redwudz]

Instead of a large format scanner, which can be very expensive and hard to find, you could use a method that's common for copying books.

A piece of heavy plate glass, maybe 16" or so square, preferably with a hinge bolted on or glued on with epoxy and a handle on the other side to raise and lower it. Then a digital camera mounted over it on a stand. Use two side lights at angles to minimize glare. The heavy glass holds the page in position and flat. Most all the parts are available at a hardware store and a glass store. With a bit of practice, you can do the photos fairly quickly. No need to cut up the comics most times, either.

If the pages are consistent for color/contrast/etc., you can find a good setting in your image processing software for correction and just run them all though at the same time as a batch project. Many small point and shoot cameras have more than enough resolution for the project.

I agree nothing replaces Photoshop, but it's always good to have some freeware options. I did mention PS Elements and it is quite reasonably priced. The full Photoshop CS5 is listed at about $600US. Add a few pay filters and it does get expensive.

[lordsmurf]

Hmmm.... interesting.
I could tripod mount my camera, a pro DSLR, and then sandwich a comic between some acrylite (non-glare).
Set up pair of photo flood lamps. aimed across plain of acrylite. Not at it.
Mount the acrylite at a perfect level, flat plain the the camera.
Use 50mm for sharpness, maybe 85mm (I have a 50)
Drop black backing to prevent cropping needs (if you're lazy and want less editing), possibly felt to prevent glare
Snap. Change page, next.

Sumbitch....

red, I think that's the best idea you ever came up with (although I did change it a good bit)
Where's hech54? He needs to read this.

You just gave me one heck of a Christmas project.
I am so doing this.

Given the optics of my SLR and lenses, scanning may be the inferior way of doing things now.
Of course, that's not going to hold true for low-end P&S cameras or even consumer SLRs/lenses

[redwudz]

I actually saw this used in a old library documentary. They were using it on bound books and had a auto page turner. Probably photographing to microfilm.

You can use acrylic if it is clear enough and you are careful not to scratch it. The plate glass is heavy enough that it easily mashes down the pages. Glass stores often have small scrap pieces that they can smooth the edges down and sell to you. They can even drill holes in it if you want to pay extra, but epoxy works pretty well for gluing hinges to it. The handle and hinge speeds up positioning.

I do like the idea of the black matte background.

Some tripods have reversible elevators, so you can mount the camera underneath. But you could also throw together a bracket with metal or wood. Photo lights would be optimum, but you can color correct in software if you just want to use something like a couple of gooseneck desk lamps with small frosted flood lights.

[lordsmurf]

Not acrylic, but acrylite.
It's a special display glass. I have some for my photos in frames.

[redwudz]

OK.

[vhelp]

Yes, a DSLR would due best because you could set it to RAW and save those. You don't want to use a JPEG (no matter how high quality they say) because it will definately have pixelation in them. By the way, that was my idea, sitting here thinking about it while reading the topic

If memory serves me, when compUSA was in business, I recall seeing a CMOS camera on 9" legs taking snap shots of books for OCR purposes. The quality was amazing, well, at the time--that was prob 8 years ago at least. Anyway.

I recommend a DLSR camera if thats the route because of the raw feature they support. I haven't seen any low-budget cameas support that, or close to it, TIF for example. If you could get a .TIF from one that would just as good since they are raw too. I use my Xerox Travel Scanner 100 for in that mode, zero pixelation.

I've scanned various sorts of images from magazines and comics. Don't forget the older comics will have that moire (half-tone) pattern. Most everything does, but you can elimiate most of it in some cases depending on your equipment and software including your knowledge. Still, the moire is not soo bad. You can get away if you scan high and then smart-resize it to remove the moire. It can be done in some magazine/comic book scans. It all depends on how you set everything up. Still, i'm a newbie to this and have my share of ups and downs, but its fun scanning stuff. My hand scanner wond is not so bad, but it does only give you jpeg files but good enough for my needs which is last minute scans of receipts or checks I right out when i'm not at home.

BTW, all are great idea.

LS, let us know how your tests come out if you ever get around to it.

-vhelp 5407

[lordsmurf]

It will be several months, but I will most definitely be doing this for about 100 golden age comics that are too brittle to safely read repeatedly. And it would coincide with my desire to get an iPad for reading comics. Then there's quite a few others that I want to scan for various reasons. I've wanted to do it for a long time, but it was just too much effort. This method of shooting the books is something I'd not considered before, and may work with the equipment I plan to use. (Lesser equipment will yield awful quality, especially if you use cheap glass or plexi.)

For this, I'd say RAW is unnecessary. My pro SLRs shoot JPEG just fine under most conditions. I'd only shoot RAW when lighting is a question, or when I'm shooting models. RAW is just too big and clunky sometimes.

The Epson V300 doesn't really have any moire noise: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GBKTGM?ie=UTF8&tag=thdifa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=17...SIN=B001GBKTGM
It's a great scanner, fast too!