Over the years, the traditional scanner has become just another feature of the ubiquitous all-in-one printer, but its technology never stopped being interesting. Photographer Darío Morelli decided to put the hardware of an Epson V30 scanner to the test, turning it into a medium-format camera with a resolution of 143 megapixels.
The DIY Approach
Any initiative that seeks to reuse hardware in a way the manufacturer didn't foresee automatically gets our attention. Besides applying knowledge, the user also stimulates creativity, and ends up creating things that, while not ready for the market, are still wonderful. One of the most favorable aspects is that those interested don't have to be masters of hardware modification. Replacing a device's casing, adding connectors, installing alternative firmware, and unlocking hidden functions are relatively simple options. With a bit more time and dedication, the world of “do it yourself” or DIY will open more doors, leading to much more advanced projects.
Take as an example the case of Darío Morelli, a photographer who had the bright idea to build a medium-format camera from the components of an Epson V30 scanner. In reality, all he needed from the scanner was the motherboard, the optical sensor, and the “step by step” motor. After building a custom housing, installing a light to help with the calibration process (if that light isn't there, the scanner won't work), and adapting a lens, the rest is just taking photographs. Of course, this camera doesn't work as such, but rather retains the scanner's parameters. In other words, it must be connected to a computer, and images are obtained with any scanning software.
Resolution and Practicalities
The camera's maximum resolution is about 143 megapixels, though it takes a bit of patience and a lot of disk space. Depending on conditions, an exposure can take between 15 seconds and five minutes, and the result is 16-bit TIFF images with the potential to exceed one gigabyte when stored. We must also add the requirement of a tripod (the scanner sensor doesn't like vibrations much), and the absence of an electronic viewfinder. Despite these details, the images Morelli obtained with his prototype are extraordinary, and surely other hardware enthusiasts will try to reproduce his achievements.
