Author Topic: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera  (Read 6172 times)

16mman

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 73
    • Sean Anderson Media
DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« on: March 04, 2015, 10:33:39 PM »
I know this isn't a film camera, but I really want to make one! I never realized how simple they were to make, and I can see how this simple design could also be used for a pinhole version.

http://content.photojojo.com/diy/make-your-own-scanner-camera/

jojonas~

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,928
  • back at 63° 49′ 32″ N
    • jojonas @ flickr
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2015, 10:05:44 AM »
to take this to the filmside of things... I wonder how hard it would be to install a slit to replace that scanner head so you could load it with film or paper
/jonas

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,544
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2015, 01:48:25 PM »
It would probably be easier to custom build something like that using a simple step motor and an arduino than modify a scanner. Besides, using an arduino means you don't have to have a computer attached.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

16mman

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 73
    • Sean Anderson Media
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2015, 05:31:18 PM »
Since I don't know anything about computers, that would probably be harder :)

That being said, I am fascinated by all the open source tech out there and the cameras people are building with it. Like, I'd love to know how to build this camera so I don't have to wait for them to build it: http://www.ch00ftech.com/printsnap/
« Last Edit: March 05, 2015, 05:49:00 PM by 16mman »

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,544
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2015, 09:22:10 PM »
You could always get the gameboy camera and printer...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

jharr

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,916
  • Humble Hobbyist
    • Through A Glass, Darkly
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2015, 09:37:24 PM »
Since I don't know anything about computers, that would probably be harder :)

That being said, I am fascinated by all the open source tech out there and the cameras people are building with it. Like, I'd love to know how to build this camera so I don't have to wait for them to build it: http://www.ch00ftech.com/printsnap/

Most of us here go analog -> digital. This is going the other way! :)
It seems a little hokey, but it could be fun if the price was right.
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"   -- Dorothea Lange
Flickr
Blogger

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,544
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2015, 10:26:29 PM »
At one point I was thinking of getting one of those printers just for fun. Maybe use a small simple program to monitor a folder and automatically print out the pictures I put there...

But I probably won't since those receipts are both non lasting and contain some phtalates...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

16mman

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 73
    • Sean Anderson Media
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2015, 11:25:33 PM »
Quote
You could always get the gameboy camera and printer...

I actually have the camera, I just need to get the printer. What I like about the PrintSnap is it has a slightly better image quality than the Gameboy camera, which is almost expressionistic in its resolution.

This one is pretty cool too, though your subject must stay very still : )

http://www.niklasroy.com/project/103/electronic_instant_camera

jojonas~

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,928
  • back at 63° 49′ 32″ N
    • jojonas @ flickr
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2015, 07:42:32 AM »
while we're at receipt-cameras... I give you, the holy grail of psuedo-digital toy cameras:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu15rJkcuiU
/jonas

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,544
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2015, 01:45:28 PM »
We did have one of the cameras that instantly printed on thermal paper back in university. It was a huge monster that was plugged into the wall. Art students used it for a project. I still have the project they made from it somewhere...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

16mman

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 73
    • Sean Anderson Media
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2015, 04:58:38 PM »
while we're at receipt-cameras... I give you, the holy grail of psuedo-digital toy cameras

Nice! I looked for one of those online but they're pretty rare and no one is currently selling. My friend Bohus did a video segment on this camera one time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT9G3dovPrw

I found a little Canon flatbed scanner at the thrift last night for $3. It's super thin and lightweight. If I can find a small enough computer, this could actually be a fairly transportable camera. I wonder of there are any tablets that can communicate with scanners? Or maybe I could rig up a Raspberry Pi to run it?

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,544
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2015, 10:31:45 PM »
Tablets don't have scanner drivers. But the RPi does use Linux which has the SANE drivers. It's also cheaper and can support direct connections of buttons and stuff.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

LT

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 5,030
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2015, 11:18:51 AM »
Keep it film.
L.

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,544
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2015, 02:12:50 PM »
Of course captain! :)
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

LT

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 5,030
Re: DIY Flatbed Scanner Camera
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2015, 09:39:51 PM »
 ;)
L.