More Comparisons: FlipPal Mobile Scanner vs. Epson Flatbed

My recent comparisons of photo scans on the FlipPal Mobile Scanner and my Epson V500 elicited several comments and suggestions. I thought it might be interesting to follow-up on JL's query about file format, with the added twist of correcting the color cast from the FlipPal.

To be as fair as possible, I used the popular photo editing program, Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, with the fully automated Guided Edit commands. I started with two files of the full image scanned last week; both scanned at 600 dpi. One scanned on the FlipPal and one on the Epson V500.

The images were loaded into PSE9 and the Guided Edit window was opened, then the following edits were performed:

1. Basic Photo Edits: Crop raw edges. Save image.

2. Photographic Effects: Old Fashioned Photo (these are applied automatically when the button is clicked):

a. convert to black and white image with Urban/Snapshot button
b. adjust tonality
c. add texture 
d. adjust hue/saturation (un-check Colorize, adjust Lighten to -15)

3. Save in original format (TIF or JPG).

4. Crop tight to show faces and save (TIF or JPG).

5. We now have four new images, two from each scanner showing the same basic edits. I would have liked to post the TIF images, but the files are just tooo huge at 5M and 21M, so I am posting JPG versions of all. I looked closely at all the images, and think the JPGs are still close to the quality of the TIF images. For me, the real difference is in contrast and color. Now that all images have been color-corrected the differences are less obvious. What do you think? Which do you prefer? 

 FlipPal 600 dpi JPG, cropped, edited

Epson V500 600 dpi JPG, cropped, edited
native TIF image too large for web

 

FlipPal 600 dpi cropped edited JPG

Epson V500 600 dpi cropped, edited JPG 

I think the images are all pretty good reproductions of an average family snapshot. One thing to consider, however, is that the FlipPal scanned image required cropping (it did not fill the 4x6 frame) and color correction. The Epson scan was pretty much "good to go" from the original scanned image.

It's good to have options, and I'm glad to have the FlipPal Mobile Scanner available for research trips and visits to relatives. The after-scanning cropping and editing are worth every minute if it gives me access to a new photo or document I would otherwise lose.

Review: Comparing Scans on the FlipPal and Epson V500

I've been immersed in family photos recently and spending a lot of time with my Epson V500 flatbed scanner when it occurred to me that I could move my scanning station to a more congenial location with my new little FlipPal mobile scanner. Right now I am scanning lots of old black and white snapshots from the 1930's to the 1960's. I don't need the additional size of the Epson flatbed, the FlipPal 4x6 window  would be adequate.

Before I got too excited about scanning while viewing tv reruns and the upcoming baseball season, I thought I would run a few tests to see how the final scans compare.

I am not trying to scan every photo in my collection; instead I have selected milestone images that I want to use as headshots in my genealogy database and as illustrations in a family history book. I have identified some images that need restoration work, but most photos will get only a bit of auto-adjusting and cropping.

My typical scanner settings on the Epson V500 for this type of job are

Image Type: 24-bit color

Resolution: 600 dpi

Target Size: original

I usually scan as TIF files, but for this test, I scanned as JPG to more closely match the available FlipPal format.

For this comparison I did not activate any of the Epson restoration options.

The FlipPal Mobile Scanner offers only two options: 300 or 600 scanning resolution. I chose 600 dpi. All files are saved as jpg.

I imported both files to Adobe Lightroom3 and cropped the images. This is necessary with the FlipPal because the scanner always scans the entire 4x6 screen. Both images were exported as full-size jpgs.

I've reduced the images here to a maximum 100K for web versions, but you can still get an idea of the image quality and color.

Epson Scan -- jpg, 1.1MB, 1571 x 1257

FlipPal Scan -- jpg, 983KB, 1474 x 1179

My imperfect cropping showed up in the two slightly different file sizes, but overall the images were pretty close. The difference, however, shows up in the scan color. The FlipPal doesn't really have an option to select color, and overall the image has a purple-ish cast. It isn't too bad and can be easily adjusted. The Epson scan, is very close to the original Kodak print with that old-fashioned black and white tone.

My choice? The FlipPal does a good job, and I would certainly be happy to scan these images from a relative or on a research trip; but at home, it's easier overall to let the Epson flatbed crop in the Preview screen and save me from any later color adjustments. As a premium, the Epson will even let me scan multiple images at one time, a real time-saver.

You May Also Like --

More comparisons of the FlipPal Mobile Scanner and the Epson V500 here.

Upcoming Tour of ScanDigital Facilities

Have you considered sending your photos, films, or slides to a digitizing service, but held back because of that nagging worry that "something bad" might happen to your treasures? Fire, flood, tornadoes, earthquakes, loss of heirlooms are all equal in the eyes of the family historian.

I'm not going to try to convince you to "let go," but I'm planning an article to review a local digitizing service that I have used with good success. I toured ScanDigital's facility in El Segundo, California in October, 2009 and was pleased with services and security systems in place. You can read the full review here.

Not long ago, ScanDigital relocated in the same little beach community. I've seen the new building and it looks even larger than the old space. It helps that my son lives in El Segundo and passes on these Breaking News tidbits.

Also not long ago, a reader commented on my article with her own worrisome experience at ScanDigital. I contacted the company and Pamela Weiss posted a helpful response. She also invited me to come to El Segundo to tour the new facility, and I've already said "Yes." I'm waiting for my own digitizing order to be completed, and will schedule to tour and pick up my items at the same time.

Do you have questions about using a digitizing service? Maybe you would like to know about the tracking system or see photos of the techs at work? Leave your questions in the Comments to this post and I will do my best to get them answered.

Tech Tuesday – Setting Up a Genealogy Photo Workflow, Part 1

Professional photographers call it a “workflow',” as a mom I just called it a “routine.” It’s the standard order of doing things that results in Getting Things Done.

Lay out the school clothes, tuck them in bed, read a story, turn out the light, go to sleep. It just works. If you forget the school clothes, things don’t go so well in the morning. And woe to the parent who tries to skip the bedtime story. Routines work.

A photography workflow can help any genealogist or family historian process a photo collection efficiently and carefully. After reading books and blogs, posting on numerous forums, and exchanging emails with dozens of photographers and archivists, I’ve come up with a photo workflow that works for me. . . today, at any rate.

I have broken the workflow into separate activities; this works for me because I can process the photos in smaller chunks of time. I can scan or import depending on the time available, and still make progress toward completing the project.

Supplies and Equipment Needed --

computer
flatbed scanner, (Epson Perfection V500)
2 external hard drives, (MyBook)
photographs
white cotton gloves
archival drop-front box 12 x 15-inch (for oversize photos)
archival flip-top box  8 x 5-inch
archival sleeves, 5 x 7-inch and 8 x 10-inch
permanent ink pen, archival safe
Adobe Lightroom2 software

Part 1: Scanning Workflow

Set up --

1. Connect and turn on scanner to warm up
2. Connect external hard drive
3. Put on gloves
4. Clean scanner glass with soft cloth
5. Start scanner software: set for color scan, TIFF format, stored on external hard drive, file name + image number; check box to open folder after scanning [this is my confirmation that I have completed the scan]

Note: for file name, I use a general name for my current archive [aak] plus the next number in my series [045]. I will edit names in Lightroom2 when I add metadata.

Scanning --

Note: I scan both sides of every photo, front first, then back [thanks for that tip, footnoteMaven!].

1. Set resolution to 1200dpi, double-check TIFF file format
2. Preview Scan front side of image; rotate image on Preview panel if needed
3. Scan; folder will open showing new file image with name of filename-number [aak-045]. This may take a few minutes at 1200dpi.
4. Turn over photo
5. Change settings to 300dpi if photo has information; if blank scan at 72dpi
6. Scan; folder will open showing new file image with name of filename-number [aak-046]. Notice that front sides of photos are odd numbers, reverse sides are consecutive even numbers.
7. Remove photo from scanner, place in archival sleeve and set in box lid [will be used later]
8. Repeat steps 1-7 for each photo; I usually scan in batches of 20-25.

This is a good place to stop working and tidy the work area. The next part of the workflow is to Import photos to Lightroom2 for tagging and jpg conversion. Visit The Family Curator next week for Tech Tuesday and Setting up a Genealogy Photo Workflow, Part 2.

9-1-1 for Family Historians

As a fan of Rebecca Fenning's blog, A Sense of Face, I am delighted to see she will be joining footnoteMaven at Shades of the Departed as part of Weekend With Shades, beginning this Saturday, March 21with her new column Saving Face.

Rebecca and I have corresponded a bit over various archival issues, and I look forward to reading her answers to the burning questions sure to be asked by Shades readers. Rebecca was a great help with some of my scanning questions for Arline's letters and photographs, so I know that she will be able to address a wide variety of archival situations.

Join The Family Curator at Shades this Saturday for Rebecca's debut column.

Scanning Update

I am running out of time for scanning letters as I also want to scan some photos and put together a presentation. Haven't been able to process the letters in the AskSam database, but have worked up a Data Entry Form for the students to complete. It should help organize their thoughts about the letters as well.

I now have over 100 letters in the archival folders, and am scanning hit-and-miss style to catch ones that are a) suitable, and b) interesting.

Total now 93 letters. May need to complete more.

Reading the News

In thinking about how to present the story of Arline's life to the students, I began looking through some of her news clippings. What a treasure. I will have to save some it for this summer when I have more time, but for now I can at least scan the most glaring headlines-- "Girl in Power of Hypnotist," "Forces Chauffeur to Aid Kidnapping," and my personal favorite "Husband's Language Too Vile to Mention."

Total News clippings scanned, 16.

Photo Scanning

Took a break from the letters and started scanning photos yesterday; it certainly goes quicker than 6 and 7 page letters. They are beautiful and so fun to see in a larger size.

I came across some loose pages from a photo album and have been able to reconstruct some of the original photo displays. Evidently a few photos fell off or were taken off the pages; too bad for us today.

Total photos scanned 26.

Scanning Continued

I figure that I need about 100 letters for the students to work with because I plan to require that each student complete at least 2 transcriptions. The U.S. Women's History teacher heard me talking about the project and wants to have her students work on it as well. Our total is about 50 students, so 100 letters may not even be enough. More scanning. . .

Total letters scanned is now 89.

More Scanning

I feel like a scanning machine. Thank goodness for Multi-TIFF format. It saves multiple pages in one file and it can be opened on the PC or Mac. Now I just have to find a program to convert images to JPG so I can have smaller files for presentations and printing.

I have now scanned 55 letters!

Scanning Success!

I am working on catching up with the scanning and have completed 33 documents. I am scanning all docs in Multi-Tiff format (this allows multiple pages to be saved to one file), at 300 dpi, in 24-bit color. I am not sure if this is too much or too little color resolution, but the images are clear and bright and sometimes easier to read than the originals.

The files work equally well on my PC running XP and on the Mac computers at school. They open in Media Image Viewer on the PC and in Preview on the Mac. Both allow for printing.