Useful tips for scanning slides.

[wonwinglo]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1683506,00.asp

I suspect that like myself,there are many out there who have thousands of old negatives stored away,why not get these images onto disc and digitilise them ? this requires a slide scanner and it works turning those old negs into viewable objects.

For those needing advice take a look at the link above which gives you an excellent guide as to what to look for with a suitable scanner.

For those wondering the main difference with a scanner for slides or negatives,the latter has a dedicated central slot with a suitable carrier which holds the negatives/slides whilst scanning,the system works much like scanning a photograph except it can deal with both positives and negatives and on some models will scan whole batches.

[Guest]

Scanning slides and/or negatives requires use of a 'back light' that replaces the normal paper scanning light. I have tried a number of alternative scanners and, so far at least, the most sucessful is the HP 5470c Scanjet.

Unlike many others, the light distribution from the backlight is very consistent across the scanning area .. means I don't get 'light spots'.

This is NOT a plug for HP but then again ........

So far I have scanned around 2300 35mm colout slides, both positive and negative and only around 50 of them have been 'bad' (contract beyond correction). Around 60% of a lifetimes photos, so I have a bit to go yet !!

[wonwinglo]

Scanning slides and/or negatives requires use of a 'back light' that replaces the normal paper scanning light. I have tried a number of alternative scanners and, so far at least, the most sucessful is the HP 5470c Scanjet.Unlike many others, the light distribution from the backlight is very consistent across the scanning area .. means I don't get 'light spots'.

This is NOT a plug for HP but then again ........

So far I have scanned around 2300 35mm colout slides, both positive and negative and only around 50 of them have been 'bad' (contract beyond correction). Around 60% of a lifetimes photos, so I have a bit to go yet !!

*** Iain,looking at these slide scanners they seem expensive,can you please tell us the retail price of this HP scanner which sounds ideal for the job ?

[Guest]

Hi Barry,

Sorry for the delay in responding .... work got in the way!!

The 5470C is priced currently at £180 but I bought mine on Ebuyer for £85. I see they still have them but at £110.

The cheaper option is the HP 4070EN priced at around £90. Does a similar job, but not so good on the big document side of things I believe.

Only problem is the amount of space needed if scanning lots'n'lots at 2400 dpi !! Thank goodness for CD's (maybe enev DVD's if I can ever save up enough!)

[wonwinglo]

Thanks Iain,I wish that I had known about this particular machine before I purchased my own,it does the job but not as good as your machine by the sound of things,never mind I have made a note of this machine for future reference,thanks for letting me know the details.