Digital Film And Slide Scanner

[SJC69]

Has anybody used or got opinions on this sort of thing?

• Scan 35mm sildes or negatives and turn them into jpegs.
• Precise positioning of slides or negatives for excellent results.
• 5MP CMOS sensor with 10 bits per colour channel.
• 1,829 DPI scanning maximum available.
• LED backlit.
• Single pass scanning.
• Includes USB cable and software to edit, crop and resize photos.
• USB 2.0 (USB 1.1 compatible)
• Comes with Twain drivers for Photoshop use.

They seem to be available now around £50 mark but are they worth the effort and is the quality going to be that good?
I assume it to be better than scanning an old printed photograph but is it only marginal.

The reason is I have all my old 35mm negatives from the last 30 years, mostly not great photos, just the usual snaps and was wondering if it is worth digitising some of them by using something like this?

I can't seem to find much about them or any real reviews and comparisons on the www, so any help would be appreciated even if it's just a link or an opinion?

Thanks

[Tones]

I Got a similar thing a few years ago, so I suspect the quality of the one shown to be better, (although mine cost over a ton) Microtek 35, but don't buy one as it isn't Vista compatable.

I got it as my Dad took loads of 35mm slides and they were starting to go a bit.
Quality is far better than scanning negatives on flatbed scanners, (some used to have adapters), I can't speak as to the difference in quality between 35mm slide/negatives as I haven't got anything to compare them with.

I'm happy with mine as it's used to purely save images, only downside id the time needed to scan each slide.

[Limey_Dave]

I did a search for "negative" on this site so the results are a bit mixed but you may find something usefull.


Computeractive - search

Not cheap but the first one,Canon 8800F looks good as you can do 12 at a time and seperates them.Could be worthwhile as you've got loads to do.
I think most Canon ones come with software to remove dust and scratches.

[Roger]

The best option is the Epson 4990 Photo. It's an A4 flatbed scanner with Negative and Slide capability. These give better results than most film scanners and are second only to professional drum scanners. I know a few professionals that use them.

[Fleetway]

Sorry Roger but according to Epson, 4990 now discontinued.

Flat bed scanners with adaptors are usually OK if you don't want too big a file, or it's a film scanner if you want a framed print on the wall, in my experience. I suspect the one illustrated will only give 6x4 or similar prints at good quality.

[Roger]

You can pick them up on eBay. Don't prejudge based on other flatbeds, look at the reviews. And the results, the quality is exceptional, I''ve seen 20" x 30" prints from 35mm that are stunning
Epson 4990

[SJC69]

Thanks for the replies, I don't really want to spend too much so the flat plate scanner is out.

I think I will go for one of the 5MP small type, also they are mostly snaps and once I have done them all I won't need it anymore as I have not used 35mm for a number of years now all digital!

thanks again.

[Bonham_lives]

Hi Steve
I bought one of those digital scanners from Maplins for £49 for my dad this xmas as he has loads of slides and negatives. Apparently the results are very good.....my mum likes it as well...she hasn't seen him for the last month