Where do you guys send your slides to be scanned? I had a dedicated slide scanner once but found the quality to be not so brilliant. Any recommendations?
I only very occasionally scan them now, since I went digital 2-3 years ago. I get quite good results, with care, using my Canoscan FS4000US film scanner and Vuescan. Before that, I sent a few to filmscanning.co.uk, but they don`t seem to exist any more.
If you have loads to do, it would probably be cheaper (although more time-consuming) to do it yourself using one of the Nikon film scanners; I think they can be had for about £300 now.
Thanks Jeremy. In fact, the scanner I had was the FS4000US. Just couldn't get it to deliver. I too have been shooting digital for some time now but I still have quite a few slides that I'd like to digitally archive.
Anyone else?
Posted by Mike Smith on November 20, 2007 at 2:23 AM
Ed Hamrick's "Viewscan" utility programme can help tease out more quality from a dedicated scanner than the usual provided OEM software
Problem with most dedicated scanners is keeping the scanning sensor dust free (as with a DSLR) - I spend more time dust spotting than I do scanning when I crank up my old scanner - hence my thread earlier this week
Posted by Andy Astbury on November 20, 2007 at 3:50 AM
Des - just an idea, as I mentioned in Mikes' topic the other day, why not do it yourself with an old copy stand and a small lightbox using that 90mm macro of yours on your D50?
Just a thought, but it's what I'd do - being the cheapskate that I am
Posted by Andrew Forsyth on November 20, 2007 at 4:08 AM
Peak Imaging in Sheffield did a good job for me a couple of years ago: http://www.peak-imaging.com/
Andrew
Posted by Peter Barritt on November 20, 2007 at 5:21 AM
Des,
I'd be happy to rent you my Nikon Coolscan 4000 for a couple of months if you are interested. send me a pm if necessary.
Peter
I'd second the idea of copying the slide - I've had good success with this but only for web use. Obviously if you need to make prints its probably not the best way forward. You can pick up fairly cheap second hand 35mm film scanners these days. Tristan
Posted by Paul Everett on November 20, 2007 at 2:35 PM
I will give a second vote for Peak Imaging.
Paul
Posted by Matt Doggett on November 20, 2007 at 3:15 PM
I used to get mine done at R&K photographic in Cornwall. They never came back with dust on, the service is very fast and prices very reasonable - the more you send the cheaper they get. They are a recommended scanning house from Alamy.
Thank you everyone for your input, really appreciate it. I'm going to give Peak & R+K a go, probably send a few to each and compare as prices for both look reasonable.
Cheers
Posted by John Gardner on November 21, 2007 at 3:42 AM
Des, the place you really want is www.digi2slide.co.uk - he's based near me and a good friend of mine, he really is the best. RPS and nearly all UK camera clubs get their digital stuff converted to slides by him.
Discussion
14 repliesTa,
Des
If you have loads to do, it would probably be cheaper (although more time-consuming) to do it yourself using one of the Nikon film scanners; I think they can be had for about £300 now.
Anyone else?
Problem with most dedicated scanners is keeping the scanning sensor dust free (as with a DSLR) - I spend more time dust spotting than I do scanning when I crank up my old scanner - hence my thread earlier this week
Just a thought, but it's what I'd do - being the cheapskate that I am
Andrew
I'd be happy to rent you my Nikon Coolscan 4000 for a couple of months if you are interested. send me a pm if necessary.
Peter
Paul
Matt
http://www.randkphotographic.co.uk/index.htm
Cheers
http://www.digi2slide.co.uk
John
Des