Digitising collections of microfiche - Re: Looking for opinions...

[ethan at 757.org]

> I'm probably WAY over simplifying this because I don't have a grasp of the 
> optics involved, but wouldn't it be possible to get a good image of 
> individual pages on a microfiche by using a DSLR with the right lens and a 
> CNC X/Y table made from one of the large (8x10) LED illuminators used to 
> treat SAD?  The lights are pretty bright and are under $50.  The X/Y table 
> build would be very simple and cheap to build.  The only "real" expense would 
> be the right lens on the camera.

Yep. That is what I was thinking originally. I wasn't against the idea of 
projecting the slide to a surface then capturing that.

There is a Canon 300 something or other Microfiche machine on eBay. 
They're like $200-300. It's a viewer that supports computer capture via 
what looks like SCSI and Twain driver. 5.5 seconds per grab:

Oh look here is a DIY one that is good enough to center it on each page. 
Impressive. I think he is scanning DEC information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCRr9sbHBnM

Here is the Canon 300II:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro1pO5Zd9hI

I'm not sure how person from unit #1 centers it, but unit #2 with a 
autoloader and steppers to do X/Y I think might provide sexy output.

> The process could be automated by using a cheap SMD part vacuum (the little 
> hand-held one I have ran about $10) attached to an arm that was run by some 
> R/C servos.

That is what I was thinking, but there might be cases where the slide 
sticks to the top of the glass holder. I think the holder is important for 
focus.



--
: Ethan O'Toole