What equipment do I need for scanning/digitizing?

Institutions should refer to Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials (FADGI), which covers all technical considerations, including equipment, process, image performance metrics, quality management, and metadata. For digitizing with a digital single lens reflex camera, specifically, the AIC Guide to Digital Photography and Conservation Documentation discusses camera models and settings in detail.

For home users, if the primary objective of scanning personal collections is to share them more widely with family and friends, a carefully chosen home scanner is more than adequate. It can be helpful to look up reviews in technical/trade publications comparing various scanners to understand the limitations of the equipment.

Last Updated: Mar 02, 2021
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