What can I put over a flatbed scanner glass to protect it for scanography?
Asked 5/25/2019
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2 answers
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I’m doing scanography and want to protect the scanner glass from scratches and dirt when placing objects on it. I’ve tried thin acetate/document protector sheets, but they wrinkle, reflect, and only work well for very flat items. I considered using another piece of glass, but I’m worried added thickness could reduce sharpness or introduce glare. Is there a practical protective layer that stays optically clear and flat without causing major image artifacts?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
2
There have been some years since I used a scanner. But I would probably buy one 3mm glass, sand the edges to smooth them round and use it if I am scanning rocks. When scanning other objects and need sharper look, remove it.
Just be careful that the "protective layer" does not become "the weapon of doom" for your scanner.
I have the feeling that this extra mm will not make the images blurier, just a bit dimm, but there is a chance you have some glare.
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the answer provided, the most practical option is a separate sheet of glass, around 3 mm thick, with the edges sanded smooth for safety. It will stay flat, won’t wrinkle like plastic sleeves, and is suitable when scanning harder objects such as rocks that might scratch the scanner.
The tradeoff is that any extra layer can introduce some glare and may reduce brightness slightly. However, the community answer suggests this amount of glass is unlikely to cause major blur by itself. If you need maximum sharpness, remove the protective glass and scan directly on the scanner bed for those shots.
So the workable approach is:
- use a thin, flat glass sheet as a reusable protector for risky objects
- smooth the edges so it doesn’t damage you or the scanner
- remove it when you need the sharpest possible result
In short, rigid glass is preferred over thin plastic sheets, but it’s a compromise between protection and absolute image quality.
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