Posted by Joe Rogers on August 21, 2011 at 10:18 AM
I need a moderatly priced slide scanner to convert literally boxes of family slides to DVD's. There are just too many for a service agency. Would be too expensive. Is there a unit out there that allows you to load a whole tray at a time (or at least, 20 to 30) and scans at a moderate resolution. The scans do not need to be of professional quality, but, better than the cheapie units you see in catalogues. I would be happy with a unit costing somewhere around $300.
You might be able to find an Epson, HP, or Canon flatbed that will scan in batches using a special holder, but I don't think you'll find one that will scan 20-30 slides at a time. Also, unless you can find something on FleaBay or one of the photo forums, I doubt you'll find a decent scanner for $300.
If you do find something, be sure you can get hardware drivers for it!
--P
Posted by Lon Overacker on August 21, 2011 at 2:37 PM
Joe,
Here's a suggestion that I've used in the past. Use your digital camera! Assuming these are keepsake slides rather than images you may want to enlarge like to a 16x20 or something. Set up your projector, play with the lighting and surface to get your best display, eliminate reflections and such. Set up your tripod and snap away. You could literally catalog your entire collection in one evening. Scanning 4 slides at a time would take FOREVER. Again, for family slides I think the memories are more important than any technical qualities you may be concerned about. For those handful of slides that you may want enlarged, well go ahead and have those scanned by a service.
That's a great idea, Lon! You're always full of good ideas!
--P
Posted by Carol Nichols on August 21, 2011 at 3:05 PM
Joe, I have the Canoscan 8800 which has now been replaced by the Canoscan 9000F ($175). It does a great job of scanning slides that don't need to be professional quality and aren't going to be printed large, but will only scan 4 slides at a time. I'm not sure you'll find any scanner in your price range that will do 20-30 slides at a time.
Posted by Eva McDermott on August 21, 2011 at 7:04 PM
I have used a Epson flatbed 4490 Photo Scanner. It can scan 4 35mm slides at a time (~$99 - $129). I currently use an Epson V750 which can scan 12 slides at a time. ( I use the mainly for medium format scans which a special holder to improved focus. It also has liquid scan capabilities). This scanner is more expensive and comes with Silverfast Pro software and runs around ~$849 ($599 without the special software program)..
Posted by Jim DeWitt on August 21, 2011 at 7:41 PM
I have a Nikon 4000 Slide scanner. It does excellent work, but it is extremely slow in actual use, particularly if you use any of the included optimization features. As in 8-10 minutes a slide.
I'd test Lon's idea before buying a scanner
Posted by Jim Bullard on August 21, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Joe,
I assume that you are talking about scanning to DVD for use on a computer of display on a TV screen. If that is the case you only need to scan at the maximum size that the largest screen is in resolution. Even for HDTV screens that is low compared to what you need for most printing. There is no need to scan at 4000 ppi or even 3200. Lower resolution scans are much faster to do and you will be able to fit more on a DVD. It won't do the volume at one time that you are looking for in a single pass but you should consider a used Epson Perfection 3200 or 4400. They do an excellent job (although only 4 slides at once) if you use Epson's software not Silverfast. Silverfast will do a "better" job if you are planning to print them but it only does one slide at a time (at least the version I have does only one). Just figure on this being a long term project, a bit at a item until you get it done.
My quick scan approach is a digital adaptation of how I used to make high contrast copy slides 30 years ago. I invert an old Omega color enlarging head. You should be able to find one for very cheap if not free. I recently purchased a new bulb for $12 on ebay. This provided color-accurate lighting and the diffused glass provides evenness and absorbs the heat. I then tape down a 135 slide carrier into which I place the slide I want to digitize.
To copy the image, setup a tripod directly over the inverted enlarger head. It helps a lot if you have a tripod that has a horizontal arm capability so you can be perpendicular to the source image.
The preferred type of optic to attach to your camera is a flat field shorter length macro lens. I shoot both Pentax and Canon cropped-sensor DSLRs. Equal quality shots were obtained using a Pentax FA 50mm f2.8 macro lens and a Sigma EOS mount 70mm f 2.8 macro lens.
You can use LiveView to ensure accurate focus. Then you start working on your stack of slides, shooting and changing. Ensuring that they are as dust-free as possible will take the most time. Be sure to use a remote control to avoid moving the camera or tripod. This also speeds things up.
Regarding output quality, for more "serious" conversions I have a Epson 4990 flatbed and a Minolta ScanDual IV dedicated film scanner. To me this approach matched the quality of the Epson, which is a notch below the Minolta, but quite OK nonetheless. One could easily output a very good 6x9 print.
An alternative is to use an slide holder that fits over your lens that has a diffused background. You aim it at an accurate light source and shoot away. Opteka is one brand. I would think handling each slide in and out of the adapter would take some time, but if the camera is on a tripod, then your hands would be more free. Worth investigating.
Hope this helps.
ME
Posted by Joe Rogers on August 22, 2011 at 9:42 PM
Thanks everyone...you have given me many viable options...I love this place
Joe Rogers
Posted by Mel Ladewig on September 9, 2011 at 4:37 PM
The Nikon LS5000 is faster than the LS4000 I have though the image quality of both is similar. There is a 50 slide feeder attachment available for these models which would allow you to automate scanning. Its definitely one of the better scanners available at the consumer level, but they're pricey. these scanners come close to their 4000dpi resolution.
I also have an Epson 4990 which was replaced by the V700. One of these is a nice option because the upper light source in the lid will allow you to scan an 8X10 sheet of film rather than the roughly 4X9 strips most scanners can do. This way you can lay out more slides on the platen at one time and save time here. These scanners can realistically achieve roughly 2400ppi.
Discussion
10 repliesJoe Rogers
You might be able to find an Epson, HP, or Canon flatbed that will scan in batches using a special holder, but I don't think you'll find one that will scan 20-30 slides at a time. Also, unless you can find something on FleaBay or one of the photo forums, I doubt you'll find a decent scanner for $300.
If you do find something, be sure you can get hardware drivers for it!
--P
Here's a suggestion that I've used in the past. Use your digital camera! Assuming these are keepsake slides rather than images you may want to enlarge like to a 16x20 or something. Set up your projector, play with the lighting and surface to get your best display, eliminate reflections and such. Set up your tripod and snap away. You could literally catalog your entire collection in one evening. Scanning 4 slides at a time would take FOREVER. Again, for family slides I think the memories are more important than any technical qualities you may be concerned about. For those handful of slides that you may want enlarged, well go ahead and have those scanned by a service.
Just a thought.
Lon
--P
I'd test Lon's idea before buying a scanner
I assume that you are talking about scanning to DVD for use on a computer of display on a TV screen. If that is the case you only need to scan at the maximum size that the largest screen is in resolution. Even for HDTV screens that is low compared to what you need for most printing. There is no need to scan at 4000 ppi or even 3200. Lower resolution scans are much faster to do and you will be able to fit more on a DVD. It won't do the volume at one time that you are looking for in a single pass but you should consider a used Epson Perfection 3200 or 4400. They do an excellent job (although only 4 slides at once) if you use Epson's software not Silverfast. Silverfast will do a "better" job if you are planning to print them but it only does one slide at a time (at least the version I have does only one). Just figure on this being a long term project, a bit at a item until you get it done.
My quick scan approach is a digital adaptation of how I used to make high contrast copy slides 30 years ago. I invert an old Omega color enlarging head. You should be able to find one for very cheap if not free. I recently purchased a new bulb for $12 on ebay. This provided color-accurate lighting and the diffused glass provides evenness and absorbs the heat. I then tape down a 135 slide carrier into which I place the slide I want to digitize.
To copy the image, setup a tripod directly over the inverted enlarger head. It helps a lot if you have a tripod that has a horizontal arm capability so you can be perpendicular to the source image.
The preferred type of optic to attach to your camera is a flat field shorter length macro lens. I shoot both Pentax and Canon cropped-sensor DSLRs. Equal quality shots were obtained using a Pentax FA 50mm f2.8 macro lens and a Sigma EOS mount 70mm f 2.8 macro lens.
You can use LiveView to ensure accurate focus. Then you start working on your stack of slides, shooting and changing. Ensuring that they are as dust-free as possible will take the most time. Be sure to use a remote control to avoid moving the camera or tripod. This also speeds things up.
Regarding output quality, for more "serious" conversions I have a Epson 4990 flatbed and a Minolta ScanDual IV dedicated film scanner. To me this approach matched the quality of the Epson, which is a notch below the Minolta, but quite OK nonetheless. One could easily output a very good 6x9 print.
An alternative is to use an slide holder that fits over your lens that has a diffused background. You aim it at an accurate light source and shoot away. Opteka is one brand. I would think handling each slide in and out of the adapter would take some time, but if the camera is on a tripod, then your hands would be more free. Worth investigating.
Hope this helps.
ME
Joe Rogers
I also have an Epson 4990 which was replaced by the V700. One of these is a nice option because the upper light source in the lid will allow you to scan an 8X10 sheet of film rather than the roughly 4X9 strips most scanners can do. This way you can lay out more slides on the platen at one time and save time here. These scanners can realistically achieve roughly 2400ppi.