pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

I have approx 1500-2000 slides & negs (mostly slides) that I would like to save as digital. My UHH search provides methods which comes down to DIY or use a Pro.
DIY appears to require time and expense. Pro could be less expensive (lab used/number of conversions) and some use a one size fits all process.
A friend did some searching and found the Film2USB converter. Looks fairly easy to use and not too expensive.
Would greatly appreciate UHH suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

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

I looked at their ad and see no mention of what resolution the files are they are producing. My guess would be fairly low but, it would be a good idea to check first

Bugz Loc: Spanish Fort, Alabama

Pat, I'm in the continuing process of the same project. Trays and trays of slides going back to early 50's. My current favorite method is working well for me: I have a blank wall at one end of my kitchen table; I have a 35mm slide projector that is self focusing and has a wired remote slide changer. My camera is a D5100 Nikon with the infrared remote shutter release. I fix the projector on a box on the table, tripod the camera directly behind and just high enough to clear any vision of the projector. Get everything set up, and with projector remote in one hand and camera remote in other hand, I merely sit behind and click left hand / right hand; left hand / right hand, giving the projector just enough time to refocus when needed. I can take pictures of the projected image at a rate of about 10-12 slides per minute. Of course there must be a very slight shift in the parallax with the camera elevated above the flat image, but I'm completely satisfied with the results and find that I cannot recognize the parallax difference. The digitized pics from the camera are loaded in my computer and cut to a disk. For me, it works, it's fast, it's done at home, and (just like me) it's cheap. I do this at night with the blinds pulled to prevent any stray light interference.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Bugz
That is a really good idea. I'm going to try it.

pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

Thanks Sony. If it is low could I fix it in PP?

pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

Thanks Bugz. Live in a small apartment but seems workable. But I'll be off to EBAY to get a progector...sold mine years ago.

Bugz Loc: Spanish Fort, Alabama

Pat, consider renting a projector. 2000 slides might take awhile, but just an idea.

hj Loc: Florida

I used a Wolverine.com converter... very similar to the one you mention and was very satisfied. Previously had sent some slides to ScanCafe and was just as happy with the Wolverine results.

pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

hj thanks for your suggestion. I'll check out both.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Pat, I don't know how much it costs to have slides scanned professionally, although I found the website of one company that wants $100 for 400 slides.
I'm thinking that a regular flatbed scanner with slide-scanning capability would be a good, inexpensive way to go.
An Epson V370 scanner cost $99.99 at the moment, the V500 model for $184.99.
For 1500 slides that works out to 6 1/2 or 12 1/2 cents per slide. Even for the more expensive scanner, that is half of what this lab charges, and when you're finished, you still have the scanner ;-)
Granted, it will take time to scan them. I still have many negatives to scan and while the scanner is working away, I do something else on the laptop. Sure, frequent interruptions, but at least I'm not waiting for the scanner to do its thing.

Algernon Loc: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I currently am using a Canon 9000F scanner with attachment holders for slides / negatives.

I scan at 2400 dpi and the quality is good. As long as I carefully remove all dust before scanning that is (anti-static cloth, Rocket air blaster, handling the negative strips with lint-free gloves).

Before I learned my lesson regarding dust, I had to do a tremendous amount of post-processing repair to my first batch.

Prior to purchasing the Canon scanner, I tried a service (Pixmonix). The quality was 2000 dpi, but it was expensive at 43 cents per image (although I used a 50% Groupon deal that I had found). I figured it would be cheaper in the long run to simply buy the scanner and do it myself.

It does take time though to prepare the negative film strip for scanning and then actually scan the strips (two at a time).

I don't have many old slides, so I haven't tried that yet but I assume it'll be about the same as scanning a negative. I just will have to use a different holder.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Besides taking the dust off the slides or negatives, I also give both the glass plate and the inside of the lid a swipe with an antistatic cloth. It's amazing how dust can find it's way to where you don't want it as soon as you open the lid!

Algernon Loc: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Good point Morning Star. I also do an anti-static wipe the scanner inside surfaces before each new scan.

I can't reiterate enough how insidious dust can be. It magically appears out of nowhere!

2thfxr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Epson-Perfection-V500-Photo-Scanner-/201055046874?pt=US_Scanners&hash=item2ecfd08cda
Found these refurbished Epson V500 scanners on ebay listed for $99 with free shipping from Epson

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

Pat, I read on an older post here on UHH a rather inexpensive slide and negative scanner, purchased at Amazon.com. The reviews are great and it scans 35mm film and slides at 5472 x 3648 pixels. Check it out. The scanner product # is:
Wolverine F2D-20M film scanner. Good luck and read the reviews.