mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

Like most people I have loads of 35mm slides and negatives from days gone by. Would like to hear of available methods of converting them to digital images for sharing with family/friends. Would prefer the cost to be reasonable.

cdayton

I have a Nikon Coolscan IV (with Vuescan software) but it was pricey. It has a separate feeder for APS film rolls. Most decent flatbed scanners have frames for copying slides and film.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've used an Epson scanner (Perfection 3200) for about 15 years now. Though it's no longer available, the newer models are. Just look for Epson Film Scanners on Google.
--Bob

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I've had the best success with an Epson scanner and a negative holder that captures 6 ish images at a time to individual digital files. You then need to edit the results using photography tools for the best results (cropping, color correction, etc).

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

I've used a refurbished Epson V-600 for several years now to digitize slides, black and white positives and negatives and 2 1/4 square negatives and slides. They are selling for $145.00 ....., a steal, IMHO.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I have three scanners as I reach the end of a {now 8 years} project of scanning 40 years of slides. Listing from best to worst, they are

(1) Nikon LS-2000, which I purchased on eBay from a guy who refurbishes them {unfortunately Nikon no longer makes any scanner}; I also maintain a standalone Win XP computer to run it, although I understand it can also be controlled from a Linux computer. This scanner takes something like seven minutes to scan a 35mm slide because it essentially scans each line 16 times, each from a different angle, and then uses parallax to eliminate surface blemishes not in the emulsion layer. I need that because my old, well-used slides have lots of blemishes.

(2) Plustek 8100ai, which makes two scans of each slide, preventing bright areas from "bleeding" into dark areas, but it still records most surface issues so my editing afterwards is longer.

(3) Epson {I don't remember the model}, which puts a glass layer between the slide and the sensor; that seems to cause a little distortion, and in any case it exactly records every defect in the original media. It also makes just one scan, so sometimes bright areas "bleed" into adjacent dark areas.

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

How’s the actual usable resolution on the Nikon? Does it not run on Macs and need to use Windows software?

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

How’s the actual usable resolution on the Nikon? Does it not run on Macs and need to use Windows software?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

The Nikon LS-2000 has a 2700 mode.
I don't know anything about using equipment on a Mac.

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

Thanks, the resolution of the 35mm format on my old Epson Perfection Photo 3450 doesn't cut it. I'll try looking around online.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Yo, spock, what camera do you have?

js131

In researching and trying scanning alternatives for slides (to scan around 7,000 slides of my father's which he took over 50 years) I found that scanning was impractical for a volume of slides. I found that good quality digital images were possible by using a compatible slide projector and a screen, and then capturing the projected image with a digital camera, using a remote control for the camera (which assured no shaking of the camera, which was mounted on a tripod near the projector). Using a remote for the projector, and a remote control for the camera which was focused on the screen, 100's of images could be captured in less than an hour. For memories of family and places, the quality of the image was surprising good.

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

i also use an Epsom 600. it will scan 4 slides at a time and i am pretty surprised at the resulting quality.
they are very inexpensive as well

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The best way is to pay ScanCafe to do the job. It's also the most expensive way, like $2,500

Also -

Slides
https://www.diyphotography.net/old-slides-want-scan-cheap-easy-way-home/
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/slide-copy-adapters/es-1-slide-copying-adapter-for-52mm-thread.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-448681-1.html#7548235
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-457230-1.html#7687881
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos.scanner&hl=en
http://opteka.com/slidecopier.aspx
https://smile.amazon.com/Wolverine-Super-20MP-Digital-Converter/dp/B00GIDADP0/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&ie=UTF8
http://www.scancafe.com/services/slide-scanning

Negatives -
https://fstoppers.com/education/how-use-your-dslr-scan-negatives-137248
https://www.scanyourentirelife.com/scanning-your-film-negatives-vs-prints-interesting-comparison/
https://petapixel.com/2012/12/23/why-you-should-digitize-your-film-using-a-camera-instead-of-a-scanner/
http://lifehacker.com/digitize-old-photos-better-with-the-negatives-510606513
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2buwklEqvmU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yLUvYoMUYI

http://jasonepowell.com/essays/dslr-scan-testing-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-flatbed-scanning-120-and-love-my-wifes-dslr/
http://120studio.com/slidescanning.htm

Everything -
https://www.howtogeek.com/213859/how-to-go-digital-and-get-your-old-physical-media-onto-your-pc/

Dik

For Mac users, VueScan (free) SW will run almost any scanner, and with lots of features.
Have A Nikon Coolscan V, but for faster results I use a DSLR, Macro lens, and an enlarger negative carrier over a lightbox.