Slide scanner

[mrwizard4]

http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/Hammacher/top_header_160yrs?wid=340&op_sharpen=0&qlt=95,1 (http://www.hammacher.com/)

I'm looking at a slide scanner to digital image maker which seem to run from $100 to $80,000. The one I'm looking at (above) is $100 and scans to 1800 dpi. Word is it should scan at 2000 or higher. I'm not a professional and just want to convert some of my old slides into digital images.
Any help here?:dunno

[pathfinder]

Welcome to dgrin Mr Wizard. I always watched you on TV when I was a kid:thumb

Doing a search here on dgrin for "scanning slides" turns up the following page of links relating to film scanning - http://www.dgrin.com/search.php?searchid=878701

The short answer is that film scanners are better than flat beds, but the best flat beds are pretty darn good. Good scanning software is important and may take some time to fully learn to use to its optimum. I have used VueScan (http://www.hamrick.com/) for years as it is compatible with almost every film and flatbed scanner made. Silverfast is another excellent product but considerably more expensive than VueScan.

Good scans take some time to do well - I figure 5 or 10 minutes for each slide, and I have done hundreds and hundreds of my own and other family members. My own personal opinion is that cheap flat bed scanners are a waste of my time for slide scanning.

It all depends on what level of quality you require, what your budget is, and how much time you have to spend.

ScanCafe (http://www.scancafe.com/work.php) is an online service that will do it for you also.

[mrwizard4]

Welcome to dgrin Mr Wizard. I always watched you on TV when I was a kid:thumb

Doing a search here on dgrin for "scanning slides" turns up the following page of links relating to film scanning - http://www.dgrin.com/search.php?searchid=878701

The short answer is that film scanners are better than flat beds, but the best flat beds are pretty darn good. Good scanning software is important and may take some time to fully learn to use to its optimum. I have used VueScan (http://www.hamrick.com/) for years as it is compatible with almost every film and flatbed scanner made. Silverfast is another excellent product but considerably more expensive than VueScan.

Good scans take some time to do well - I figure 5 or 10 minutes for each slide, and I have done hundreds and hundreds of my own and other family members. My own personal opinion is that cheap flat bed scanners are a waste of my time for slide scanning.

It all depends on what level of quality you require, what your budget is, and how much time you have to spend.

ScanCafe (http://www.scancafe.com/work.php) is an online service that will do it for you also.
Am I to understand that Vuescan is a software program that will let me scan a slide on my flatbed scanner by just laying it on the scanner? And no other hardware or adapter is needed?? Thanks for the info.

[swintonphoto]

Epson flatbets are the best flatbed film scanners. I use one. Works extremely well.

[pathfinder]

I use the Epson V700 flat bed as well as a Nikon CoolScan IV ED.

The better flat bed scanners that have film adapters, or a means to transilluminate the slide, work pretty well. As I said, VueScan will recognize and work with almost all flat bed and film scanners. Check VueScan's website (www.hamrick.com) to verify if it will work with your scanner.

Here (http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/vuescan.htm#supported) is a link to what scanners VueScan is known to work with. VueScan can be operated in a very simple "push this button" beginner's mode, or a very sophisticated level of control, if the user is knowledgeable about scanning slides or negatives.

[jasonstone]

Canon MP800 allows you to remove the white backing plate inside the lid and then you can put in a slide holder

The slide is then illuminated from within the lid (i believe) and not just from the light underneath

Results are better with this MP800 than with my, albeit some years old, Nikon Coolscan III

I also use Vuescan and can highly recommend it