5 replies to this topic

[montaco]

Hi,
I've got quite a lot of 25 year old 35mm colour slides, mostly from local club trials, that I'd like to get onto my computer.
Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced scanner that could copy them and give decent results?.

[bikespace]

I've got an Epson Stylus Photo RX520 which does slides (has an attachment for them).
I've been searching for the odd ones that we did do for someone over a year ago, but struggling to find them, although the results seemed pretty good at the time.
If you've got a worthless one you'd like to mail to me, I can scan and show you the quality. Probably more effort than you're worried about going to, but the offer's there if you get to that point, let me know and i could mail you my address.
In fact, if it turned out successful, i don't mind doing them all for you, but i didn't notice where you are.

[bill.m]

Depends on your definition of reaonable I suppose but have a look at the range of dedicated slide/negative scanners made by Plustek. They start at around the £120 mark which is good value for a 7200dpi scanner. I haven't used one myself but they get good reviews on the web. If you want to push the boat out a bit you can buy the Nikon Coolscan (this is the one I use) for around £450. I can highly recommend this one Another alternative would be to look in the back of Amateur Photographer as there are usually people advertsing to scan negs/slides for you and it doesn't cost a fortune. Avoid using a flatbed scanner with a slide adaptor if possible although the results are OK (ish) they aren't a patch on a dedicated scanner. Hope this helps.

[Andy]

I'm on the road at the mo so can't tell you the exact scanner I've got, but I bought it purely to scan hundreds of slides I came across when clearing out my folks place when they moved. I know it's Epson and the quality of scan was fantastic for the money. I'll reply again tomorrow with a couple of samples once I'm back home - weather permitting!

[montaco]

Thanks for all that, I came across scanmyphotos.co.uk which might be cost effective for my 300 or so slides at £116.10 including post and they do a free sample of 3 of your slides before ordering.
The reviews I've read of scanners, attachments and copiers bear out exactly what Bill.m says and seem disappointing unless going to around £450 for the Nikon Coolscan, which does seem to be the tool for the job.
I do a lot of DIY around the house and normally I prefer to spend the money on the right tool for the job, do the job right and sell on the tool but in this case that may not be the way to go.
I'll wait to see what Andy comes up with (providing he isn't stuck in a snowdrift somewhere wrapping himself in ladies tights to keep warm like that other scotsman had to do a couple of years ago).

[dfwilson]

I have had one of these for years and it works pretty well. You can scan mounted slides and film strips.

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