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http://www.instructables.com/id/New-Improved-Portable-Paperless-Digital-Copy-M/

A digital camera stuck on a 4 legged tripod with adjustable rails to hold down pages in a book or just hold the camera steady is one of my new projects.

I am using a Canon camera with software from http://www.breezesys.com/ that permits me full control and viewing of the camera on my computer monitor.

I can zoom in and out and use all camera settings from the computer and it works ok .

I want an easier to use set up where it works just like a photocopier.

An digital camera mounted upside down in a convention scanner (gutted) where the book or tool would be placed on the glass and a button tapped to shoot the image.

Problem is glass creates huge amount of reflection and plexi glass is not much better.

1) Is there a glass or plexiglass that is virtually reflection free?

2) Typically I want to shoot an area of about 8.5 by 11 with the camera about 18 inches from the document.

My 4.3 megapixel camera gives result that at best are tolerable .
Any suggestions what the best megapixel level would be with out going into overkill (higher expense). ?

Thanks for any suggestions or comments.

i've thought of making something similar to this b4. glad to see some ones done it.

This is useful and interesting. I'm really going to have to take a look at this software, and experiment. Thanks for the post!

I've considered doing something like that before, but alas, were is the time?

I have a business reproducing old books, a sort of a sideline as my real occupation is locksmithing. A few thoughts. It is better for the book to not be opened flat, most digital copy systems for books use a cradle that positions the book in a V shape, not open all the way, obviously your camera must be at the same angle.

I use an inexpensive book scanner that is quite effective and does better than a camera in most cases. Plustek OpticBook 3800 is the scanner.

For copying larger flat material I do use a copy stand and have a piece of non-reflective glass on it, it does reflect but not if the light is 45 degrees off axis. I bought the glass from a Disney animator and I don't know where he bought it.