Slide Scanner Digitizer

FibberMckee

Once again looking for a 35mm slide scanner/digitizer, that can also reverse 35mm B&W negatives. Ability to do some cropping/enlarging a plus. Some may even be able to handle small prints.

Anyone do this & have suggestions?

mississippi mac

try B&H photo...
I know they used to carry several models of 35mm scanners that would scan up to a 6 image strip of negatives and slides in a tray...
the models also come with software that change a negative into a positive for storage as a tif or jpeg, your choice....
they aren't cheap either but render outstanding quality images...
you should probably get some kind of good post processing software like Topaz for editing which is a real bargain for good software.

WaterEngineer

This question seems to come up once a year on this page.

As I have said before, it depends on how fast you want it and at what quality.

Frankly, if there is any quantity at all it is more time efficient and cheaper to let a lab do it. I use a lab in Miami for all 35mm, 120mm 8mm movies and VHS tapes. I suggest if using a lab to ship to them in small batches so if something were to happen - it gets lost - then not your whole archive goes missing.

The time investment to do this six negatives at a time gets ridiculously huge. I decided long ago my time is more valuable, thus using a lab.

However if you really must, then this one gets OK reports and I have used it. >>>>> https://www.borrowlenses.com/product/OpticFilm_35mm_Film_Scanner?cid=SEM-BL-GOOGLE-NON-BRAND&mpch=ads

Also, for a short time I owned one of these, they can be found used for around $5K, the resolution is none better. >>>> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/463799-REG/Hasselblad_70380201_Flextight_X1_Scanner.html

Reversing negatives is easily done in Photoshop, even older versions, and can be done as a batch job. It really couldn't be any easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh9srnVnn5E

FibberMckee

Yes, and I recall what you "have said before". Be reminded that if I'd wanted to hire a lab to do it - I would've inquired about a lab to do it.

For this project I contemplate scanning/digitizing, as I go through large collections of 35mm slides & negatives, picking out images, then returning copied items right back into storage. Slides are in a combination of boxes & trays. Some old metal/glass mounts. Negatives are in combination of strip sleaves & rolls.

WaterEngineer wrote: »

This question seems to come up once a year on this page.

As I have said before, it depends on how fast you want it and at what quality.

Be advised that I'd prefer a stand alone unit, but it must have a display & let's cap the price range at ~$500. Not interested in anything "used for around $5K".

ms mac, just looked over B&H online offerings & reviews, among others. Have seen stand alone units that have enough internal software to reverse negatives, in addition to scratch filters & color enhancement. Have heard of, but not seen, units that offer some basic crop/enlarge control. Am aware of the options after image is digitized.

Little consistency in reviews. Saw some mention 30 second scan, another says 2 minutes - which sounds awfully slow. Most omit how long it takes to scan.

WaterEngineer

Why does it have to be "prefer stand alone?"

IMHO, the ones with the screen are toys and don't provide quality output. I tried a cheap scanner for a bit, thinking, "Oh, that will be good enough." In the end I was disappointed with the quality.

Get the one at the first link I provide, above. Best high quality output for a price you want. When you are done, sell it.