Digitizing slides
Dec 15, 2020 14:03:26 #
What is the best way to digitize 20,000 slides. Is there a reputable On line service? Or buy a scanner and do it yourself?
Dec 15, 2020 14:08:32 #
If you have a slide projector, remove the lens and use a 90 or 100mm autofocus 1:1 Macro lens on camera. Point camera into projector and autofocus on the slide. Much, much faster than any scanner.
Dec 15, 2020 14:12:38 #
Lots of discussion on here about digitizing slides. If cost is an issue -- probably want to do it yourself. If quality is important -- probably want a scanner. If time (speed of scan) is important may want to use digital camera or auto scanner.
Quality? Time? Cost? Budget? (Old saying "Price, Quality, Time -- pick any two"). You have a large quantity. What quality and budget (and do you want to "do it"?) More details needed. You ask best way. If it were me I would send it out or buy an auto scanner (Nikon 5000 or other). What do you think?
Quality? Time? Cost? Budget? (Old saying "Price, Quality, Time -- pick any two"). You have a large quantity. What quality and budget (and do you want to "do it"?) More details needed. You ask best way. If it were me I would send it out or buy an auto scanner (Nikon 5000 or other). What do you think?
Dec 15, 2020 14:16:48 #
It costs about $0.35 per slide, but the results are excellent and effortless. I would never have that many slides converted, but a flatbed scanner is a decent alternative - Epson V600, for example.
I've used ScanCafe several times, but there are lots of others.
https://www.google.com/search?q=slide+conversion&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS925US925&oq=slide+conversion&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3j0i457j0l3.2933j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
I've used ScanCafe several times, but there are lots of others.
https://www.google.com/search?q=slide+conversion&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS925US925&oq=slide+conversion&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3j0i457j0l3.2933j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Dec 15, 2020 14:23:09 #
How does the quality using this method compare to using a good scanner? Thanks.
Dec 15, 2020 14:30:09 #
Scanning will be slow, conservatively estimate 2 - 3 minutes per slide. My Epson scanner software allows me to name each image, so a naming protocol might be needed for sorting images. A commercial service will have some sort naming that would not reflect the scene. You might profit by sorting your slides and scanning only the very best. That doesn’t count for the family images. I have heard there are digital camera slide attachments, but the naming will be camera automated per some scheme. You would have open in a computer to rename so figure that into the time.
Dec 15, 2020 14:37:28 #
With 20000 slides it would justify buying a good scanner. Typically if you were going to outsource the slides to a cheap service like Walmart you will pay in the neighborhood of 45¢ per slide. That adds up on a project like this. You can probably find a service that will cut the rate for an order like that, but I am guessing you won’t get it too much lower
I have done a lot of slide copying with my epson v600 but it only did 4 at a time. It suited my needs. The epson v850 will do 12 slides at a time. I put a link to Amazon below to the v850. Granted it is $1100 but it will save you both money and time. Good luck in this undertaking. I really enjoyed doing my film and slides.
https://amzn.to/3momB7s
Chuck
I have done a lot of slide copying with my epson v600 but it only did 4 at a time. It suited my needs. The epson v850 will do 12 slides at a time. I put a link to Amazon below to the v850. Granted it is $1100 but it will save you both money and time. Good luck in this undertaking. I really enjoyed doing my film and slides.
https://amzn.to/3momB7s
Chuck
Dec 15, 2020 15:05:54 #
However you decide to do it or get it done, cull ruthlessly. I have done slides with camera and scanner both. Once set up, camera is faster and just as good, IMO. Time consuming, and ex the occasional burst of nostalgia or memories refreshed, a tedious job. I have a vast number of slides - several thousand just scratched the surface. Best of luck! Note: I have sent off several batches of slides to interested family rather than scanning them.
Dec 15, 2020 16:08:21 #
skshutterbug wrote:
What is the best way to digitize 20,000 slides. Is there a reputable On line service? Or buy a scanner and do it yourself?
The important thing is making sure the slide is clean by brushing with a camels hair brush and canned air to blow off.
Dec 15, 2020 17:27:34 #
Dec 15, 2020 20:07:32 #
DigMyPic will accept slides in trays, and will name the folders according to what is on the tray memo. I haven't used them, but I asked since I have a lot of Carousel trays of slides I am considering digitizing.
Dec 15, 2020 20:57:27 #
Actually, for cleaning dust off slides, Staticmaster is still available as are refills if you have one. Worth it, better than the rest.
Dec 16, 2020 05:20:07 #
I agree with using Scan Cafe. They
put my slides on a DVD.
Kind of expensive but I was satidfied.
put my slides on a DVD.
Kind of expensive but I was satidfied.
Dec 16, 2020 06:18:02 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
skshutterbug wrote:
What is the best way to digitize 20,000 slides. Is there a reputable On line service? Or buy a scanner and do it yourself?
Epson V600 scanner.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647187-REG/Epson_B11B198011_Perfection_V600_Photo_Scanner.html?sts=pi-ps&pim=Y
Dec 16, 2020 07:27:47 #
sudamar wrote:
How does the quality using this method compare to using a good scanner? Thanks.
I don't think I could duplicate the results of ScanCafe. As soon as they scan the slides, they let you view them. You can eliminate a certain percentage and not pay for them. When the scanning is complete, they email them to you. In the meantime, a CD or DVD is on its way to you in the mail.
Buy an Epson V600 scanner. I have scanned many thousands of things with mine. Rather than keep all sorts of paper receipts, I scan them and file them away on my computer. I also scan prints of pictures and save them digitally. Scan a few slides with the scanner and send a few to ScanCafe. See which ones look better. They clean them and adjust the color. Pictures tend to pick up a reddish tint over the years.
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