Introducing the Scanneri (under construction)
Omar Neri
Hello everyone. I am writing from Argentina, using automatic translation because my English is very poor.
I have been working as an editor and documentary filmmaker since 2001, in a self-managed group called Mascaró Cine (www.mascarocine.org). I graduated as an electronics technician in the 1980s and was a programmer in the 1990s, but I hardly remember anything about that... My brother, who is an electromechanical technician, is helping me with the movement and mechanics.
Based on the need to digitize 30 large 35mm rolls (generally in good condition, with old soccer images), and seeing some of your examples, I decided to build a scanner.
I have been reading the posts for several months (sometimes more than once) and based on these readings, I have been refining my decisions based on what I already have and the available budget. What I am putting together is based on a Raspberry Pi 5 with an Arducam Raspberry Pi HQ Camera Module, 12.3MP IMX477, which has a C-mount to Canon EOS EF mount adapter. After several tests with the different lenses I had on hand, inverters, and focus rings, I came to the conclusion that the best option is a Canon 18-135mm.
I have a light to illuminate the film from behind and a support for it (https://www.amazon.com/JJC-Digitizing-10-Levels-Brightness-Backlight/dp/B09PMFPDHQ?th=1).
First test of the connection, light, camera, and RPi 5:
(yes, that's a young Diego Armando Maradona there)
I ran several sensor tests that didn't work, and so far the best result I've had is using OpenCV to detect frame changes and perforations. The idea is that with this information, I can advance/stop the motor to make the capture.
Second test with OpenCV detection and manual movement:
https://youtube.com/shorts/amw8YfTTa_w?feature=share
Regarding the movement of the belt, my brother is considering this configuration:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mif2hLWweUCyMApLvLo-aGVAzAP2zxRP/view?usp=drive_link
As I am about to start transporting the tape, I need to ask you about the type of motor you recommend. I know it should be stepper, probably a NEMA 23, but I don't know what torque I need or how to calculate it. I am thinking of something based on this project, with a single motor that moves the parts and the roll. What do you think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LBrPp7YTXA
I grew up editing movies on computers, so I have little to no experience with film. I even wonder why the tape spins so many times in the equipment... anyway, I'm here to learn. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. I know it's not an easy undertaking, but I trust in collective intelligence to move these projects forward, and of course I am available to share or help in any way you think necessary. Thank you very much.
Photos of the project:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uus3y47V57qR6lWa9uNGoDgYAxXn4enw?usp=sharing
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttC-5UygTjY19Bxm9bDm3GcEeGjVzq1z