🚀 go-pugleaf

At 04:23 PM 4/14/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Greetings,
>
>A few weeks ago I sent a question to the list regarding your experiences
>with Minolta's EPIC 3000 and similar devices.  I received several
>replies--thanks!  Recently I had an opportunity to see this scanner
>first-hand and was quite impressed.  But I am still in something of a
>quandary: I also learned recently of Leica's release of their S1 digital
>camera--paired with the proper imaging software it perhaps could be a
>viable alternative to an overhead scanner such as the Minolta.  I was
>hoping someone might have some suggestions.  Here goes:
>
>_Our Needs & Preferences_______________
>-Equipment to be used to image delicate materials; minimal contact
>     desired between imaging equipment and materials; *no* flatbed or
>     "roll-n-drag" (handheld) scanners would be acceptable.
>-Imaging quality of at least 400+ dpi desired for most projects; 600+
>     dpi would be ideal.
>-Users of our department regularly request photographic or photocopy
>     reproductions of items in our collections.
>-InterLibrary Loan access to our collections desirable.  We use Ariel
>     (if you aren't aquainted, Ariel is like a fax but uses internet
>     transmission instead of telephone lines, for reproduction that is
>     superior to fax) for electronic transmission of ILL requests.
>     Currently only using flatbed scanners for Ariel requests; with
>     non-flatbed imaging equipment could ariel [verb] delicate
>     materials that now we cannot.
>-Color imaging needed for WWW exhibits.  B/W imaging sufficient for
>     text-only utilitarian imaging.
>
>_Pros & Cons of Minolta's EPIC 3000____________
>-Overhead scanner: minimal contact with materials.
>-Curvature correction software reduces image distortion of tightly
>     bound volumes.
>-400 dpi maximum quality.  Insufficient for archival-standard imaging
>     but is best overhead scanner available.
>-Can deliver high-quality image printout when attached to laser or very
>     good inkjet printer.
>-Can be incorporated into an Ariel-based electronic ILL delivery
>     system.
>-Images of text could be run through an OCR program.
>-CON: B/W only.
>
>_Pros & Cons of Leica S1________________
>-Minimal contact with materials.
>-300-600+ dpi (varies according to size of material to be imaged and
>     its distance from camera).
>-Color.
>-OCR?  Ariel?  Quick and easy printout?
>
>_Question RE: Leica S1________________
>Chances are that no one (or at least not many) users of this or any such
>list will have first-hand experience with a just-released $20,000
>digital camera.  But I was wondering if anyone has had any success using
>a digital camera (preferably a good one) to image items that need to be
>OCRed?  Sent by electronic ILL?  Printed out for users?  "Archived" as
>part of an image database?  The fact that the Leica camera can make
>color images makes it a tempting alternative to the Minolta scanner but
>the scanner's features may offer more versitility.  What would you
>choose?
>
>Sorry about the long message.  Any information would be appreciated.
>Further info about the products described can be found at
>http://ows.minoltausa.com/minolta/owa/productlinelist?cat=ep&frame=N
>(for Minolta) and http://www.leica-camera.com/elec_img/eisys_e.htm (for
>Leica).
>
>--
>
>James A. Otto
>Digital Projects Specialist / ERes Manager
>The Libraries of The Claremont Colleges
>800 Dartmouth
>Claremont, CA  91711
>(909) 607-7530 (Special Collections)
>jotto@rocky.claremont.edu
>
>"So long as I am in my right mind there is nothing that I prefer
>to a delightful friend."
>     --Horace, Satire I,5
>
>
I will be away from April 6th to april 15th.  I will respond to all mail
when I return.