Scanning Transparencies (1 Viewer)

[NJBirdringer]

Hi,

Can anyone help me with a question.

How can I transfer images on colour transparency (slides) so that I can view them on my laptop? Another point to make is that they are in 6x7 format.

Is it a case of getting them professionally transfered onto a CD-Rom?

Any comments would be greatly apprieciated.

:h?:

 

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Nigel,

All you need is a slide scanner. Some scanners come with this as an addable extra (including the one I use, Epson 'perfection 1200 photo' I think it's called), others are dedicated slide scanners that don't do anything else. They come with a USB port that'll plug into your laptop or any other reasonably modern PC.

Michael

 

[Fulmar]

Hi Nigel,

As Michael said, a dedicated slide scanner is the best option. Adapters for flatbed scanners will always give a lesser quality (otherwise there wouldn't be dedicated slide scanners). However, not all scanners work on USB, some work on SCSI which makes it a bit more complicated.

Another thing, the dedicated slide scanners accept 35mm size only, not the larger ones. For those you need a multi-format scanner, but they cost 3-8 times as much as a 35mm scanner, in other words, a fortune, and I mean a real fortune.

So the best thing is to calculate the sum you have to pay when you have them scanned commercially, or if it is cheaper to buy a scanner. A third option is when you know a friend who owns one and you can borrow it.

Peter

 

[NJBirdringer]

Thanks for your comments Peter,

All the scanners I have seen reviewed are either 35mm or 35mm/APS. I have not seen any that cover 120 roll film. I think I need to look into having them scanned commercially.

 

[Fulmar]

Hi Nigel,

Some good quality multi-format scanners are e.g. the Nikon LS-8000 ($2100-2700 on the internet), the Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro (around $2800), or the Minolta Dimage Scan Multi II ($1390-2100). If you do a "Google" search on "multi format slide scanner" or one of the above scanners you will find plenty of reviews, prices, and other info.

Also a second-hand machine can be a good option, and I note that the prices of even the new ones have also been lowered somewhat.

Peter

 

[nigelblake]

I have successfully 'scanned' large format slides by re-photographing them with my digital camera.
The best option for this is to cut a square hole in some black card and set it about 2 feet from a white painted wall. shine a light on the wall behind the slide (a projector will do this well) thats mounted in the hole in the card. Exposure and colour balance can be determined with a few trial shots.
Download the pictures from the camera as normal.

 

[Jane Turner]

I've done that too Nigel, the results are surprisingly good

 

[normjackson]

Guess it depends how many scans you want to do and whether you intend to continue with medium format film photography, how fussy you are about your results, how convenient you expect things to be and, of course £s.

Re. multi-purpose scanners, the Epson 3170 and 3200 have devotees and an Epson 4800 dpi flatbed/film scanner could be imminent. The first two can be had for under £200 (though might want to supplement the provided software).

As hinted, new dedicated medium format film scanners probably start around the £2000 mark though older models and S/H can be picked up cheaper, eg :
http://www.morgancomputers.com/shop/products2.asp?CategoryID=16&SubCategoryID=101

 

[NJBirdringer]

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

I will try Nigel and Jane's idea of rephotographing the slides and keep my eyes open for a s/h multi-format scanner.

Thanks again.

 

[Michael Frankis]

As Michael said, a dedicated slide scanner is the best option. Adapters for flatbed scanners will always give a lesser quality (otherwise there wouldn't be dedicated slide scanners).

Agreed, but a flatbed scanner adaptor is good enough for all but professional publishing work - it is certainly OK for computer monitor resolutions, so OK for use on websites, etc.

Michael

 

[scampo]

"Adapters for flatbed scanners will always give a lesser quality (otherwise there wouldn't be dedicated slide scanners)..."

True. But there are flatbeds (Canon and Epson) that are now able to produce astounding results even from 35mm stock.