Scanning Slides

[BNSF_or_SOO]

Hey everyone! I was wondering, is there a way to scan slides on your own? I have no clue how to blow up my lil 2x2 images! Thanks!

[cometv]

Do a search on film scanners. Lots of them out there. I recommend a film scanner as opposed to a flatbed scanner with a TMA. Much better optics.

[railfanzone]

I agree - get a dedicated film scanner - you'll get much better results. I started with a Pacific Image PrimeFilm 1800u. Pretty good slide scanner, and did me well for most of my pictures. I recently upgraded to a Nikon Coolscan V ED - woah, what a great scanner! If you can afford it (~$600), get the Nikon. It's well worth the money...

-Tom

[BNSF_or_SOO]

Thanks for the sugestions guys. I didnt even know Nikon was in the scanning bussines!

[wurstm]

Nikon has been a leader in the mid-range film scanner business for a while. I have a Nikon Coolscan II that I acquired back in 1997, and it does a great job - particularly on Provia film.

Best prices would most likely be at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/


--Mark 8)

[Shearman]

I'm very happy with my Canon CanoScan FS4000US. It's a great 4000 ppi dedicated 35mm film scanner. Cost about $600 at www.bhphotovideo.com a year or so ago. Does slides and negatives, color or black and white.

[xBNSFer]

If you've got any Kodachromes, make sure you get a scanner that has a mode to accommodate them (many don't). My Nikon Supercoolscan 4000 is an excellent scanner that will do Kodachromes.

[skyliner]

I also started with a Pacific Image Prime Film 1800u, and now use a Minolta Dimage 5400, which I recommend highly. It handles both the older Kodachromes and Fuji Provia 100F well.
George

[Pat Lorenz]

Did any of you guys have any trouble with the Primefilm scanner? I bought the Primefilm Silver edition 1800S and i had bad luck with it the picture quality was horrible. I have just been taking my slides to my photo finisher, they scan slides for a reasonable cost. I would like to get a nikon but they are too expensive, thats why i got the primefilm for $100 but it turned out to be a POS. I guess slide scanning technology just isnt there yet, even the slides scans i get back from the photofinisher are OK, the scans are nothing compared to the slide itself. Back when i was shooting prints, i scanned using a flatbed, that did a pretty good job but i was disapointed with the slide scanner.

[ATSF666]

Did any of you guys have any trouble with the Primefilm scanner? I bought the Primefilm Silver edition 1800S and i had bad luck with it the picture quality was horrible. I have just been taking my slides to my photo finisher, they scan slides for a reasonable cost. I would like to get a nikon but they are too expensive, thats why i got the primefilm for $100 but it turned out to be a POS. I guess slide scanning technology just isnt there yet, even the slides scans i get back from the photofinisher are OK, the scans are nothing compared to the slide itself. Back when i was shooting prints, i scanned using a flatbed, that did a pretty good job but i was disapointed with the slide scanner.

That's why the Nikon or Minolta cost more money - they are better by a long shot. I use a Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 and I have no isssues with how my scans turn out. Buy crap, and expect something else as your output?

[skyliner]

Re the Prime Film 1800, I originally had fairly good results from it (all of my submissions to this site for the until early 2004 used it), but found that more extensive color correction was needed as it aged/I used it more. Suspect that the bulb/light source changed color.
George