HowManyPicturesHaveWeTaken Loc: CO

I'd like to find something below $50 that would be okay for photographing 35mm and a few 120 negs as well. I'd be using a Canon power shot SX40 which I never had time to fully understand. Thanks

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Insufficient budget and gear for great quality.

A home made light box and a close up dioptre lens could get you results suitable for smallish prints with the aid of some sharpening in PP.

HowManyPicturesHaveWeTaken Loc: CO

"With the aid of some sharpening in PP" ..... Did you mean PayPal, Photoshop or Pikes Peak ? :)) How about recommending some good used equipment and or some shop (even something from a home shop) No imagination
anymore. When I was a kid I had to improvise lots of things to make a toy. A pipe became something like an anti aircraft gun.

therwol Loc: USA

He means Post Processing, which could be in Photoshop or any other decent photo editor that can "fix" the results of the inadequate equipment that you have for the task. Placing the negatives on a light box and photographing them is a viable way to copy them. In order to do it and get decent results, you should use a camera that can take a dedicated macro lens, any old DSLR that accepts interchangeable lenses. The results would be much better than what you would get at very close range with a camera that has a "superzoom" lens, not designed for macro work. Seriously, you might get better results from a decent phone camera. Spending only $50 would be a serious challenge, even buying an old, used DSLR and a separate lens for close up work.

Let's say that you do buy some equipment that is up to the task. The camera should be tripod mounted and perfectly parallel to the negative. Just saying.

If you only have a few negatives, and this is a one time deal, you might just want to pay someone to scan them.

Oh, if you plan to photograph color negatives, you'll have to spend more than 50 bucks on software that can properly reverse the colors. The orange mask presents a challenge that is difficult to overcome in a photo editor alone.

I would suggest a used scanner with software that can reverse the negatives, but again, what are you going to be able to find for $50?

HowManyPicturesHaveWeTaken Loc: CO

Now that's a good answer. I have an HP 4370 scanner that takes 35mm negs, but it won't work in windows 7. Yup, thats what I've got. I probably need to upgrade. That's annoying when the old (like me) system still works. I also have Irfanview and another DSLR with removable lenses. I boxed it back up and now I can't find that Olympus Evolt. It looks like new. Oh wow it's 3 AM. Gotta get some rest. Thank you

therwol Loc: USA

This HP support site says that there is Windows 7 software available for your scanner. I chose 32 bit. You can change the OS if it is 64 bit.

https://support.hp.com/au-en/drivers/hp-scanjet-4370-photo-scanner/457533

If all else fails, you can pay $120 bucks for the professional version of Vuescan. It will work with your scanner. I find it a bit complicated, but it will work.

https://www.hamrick.com/purchase-vuescan.html

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I find that most of these answers might be way beyond the context of the technical knowledge of the OP. He admits to not knowing how to use his Canon Power Shot. The correct answer would be that you can’t get there from where you’re at. The OP needs to invest time in learning the craft and then money in getting the gear and software to do the job. Or bite the bullet and pay for a commercial lab to do the job. Those are my thoughts.

HowManyPicturesHaveWeTaken Loc: CO

"Not knowing how to use his Canon Power Shot". Yes because there are too many unnecessary buttons on it and the owners manual is like bloatware at 120 pages. It was sent to me by a friend who no longer wanted it. He probably got a little depressed when he found out he couldn't remember some of its features. This can easily happen to people over 70. One other factor: Is there anything in your area worth photographing ? It's like rolling prairie here at 7000 ft. There used to be more wildlife but it diminished when the ugly wind farm was put up. I'd rather have an ugly hedgehog any day. Something else the turbines ruined was the steadiness of astronomical seeing when you're downwind from them. In the photo B is downwind. In any case you get discouraged when invaders move into your area. I was going to build a small observatory here but was defeated by overpopulation and big companies.

(Download)

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

With my DSLR I only have to remember the features I use.

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Your project is doubley doomed, by both the infrastructure on hand and the attitude of the practitioner in charge. That is all.

HowManyPicturesHaveWeTaken Loc: CO

Practitioner ? If you mean a doctor you are correct. They don't listen very well. Most of the docs don't but there are some exceptions.

Stan Fayer

Up your budget and get an Epson scanner that takes everything up to a 4X5

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I agree to a point. I have, generally, gotten books by people such as David Busch, Alexander White, or Graham Houghton, that has enlightened me to what the camera can accomplish that one does not find in the camera manual.

therwol Loc: USA

If bought new, that would be the Epson V850, approximately $1300. Way over a $50 budget. Great scanner, though.

Harry02 Loc: Gardena, CA

Dats what I do.
A tripod to aim down at the light box.
Sometimes, I stitch three shots together for the 120s.
.