Slide and negative scanners
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Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 1:28 PM
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In common with many people I have loads of negatives which should be in decent condition as they have been stored in their packets in a cool dark place.
I would like to digitise these and have seen scanners advertised in the newspapers. However, having done a bit of research on Amazon, reviews are not too good on some of them.
I just wondered if anyone knows anything about this subject and can advise.
Shutter reckons that it might be cheaper and the results better if I take them into a photographic shop, so I am bearing this in mind and will do the sums.
Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 1:46 PM
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http://www.scantips.com/
for some basic info.
Also:
http://www.normankoren.com/#Tutorials
I use a Canon flatbed scanner for digitising slides. It is a SLOW process to get anything like good results, and most photos require a fair bit of tinkering in Photoshop or similar.
I've never tried getting negs scanned in a photo shop, but I've heard anecdotes that they are not always scanned at a high enough resolution and results can be disappointing. Check the specs of what you're paying for before you start would be my advice.
Regards,
Neil
Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 1:53 PM
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You can do a rough scan or detailed, for the index I am just doing the low res. if I want a print - which is cheaper via Boots or Tesco than printing it yourself I go back to my indexed negs- it displays in Positive hope that helps
PS got about 20 years worth to catch up on
Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 2:26 PM
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Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 3:11 PM
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Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 3:51 PM
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Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 3:53 PM
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Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 4:14 PM
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Quote a negative scanner that uses a feed mechanism
Things like the Nikon Coolscan have a feed mechanism, but they cost 500 - 600 quid.
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Nikon-CoolScan-IV-ED
The time taken to do a 5.5 megapixel scan in this review is between 1min 24 sec and 2 min 43 sec, as I said above digitising slides or negs is very time consuming. It's awfully easy to get bored!
Regards,
Neil
Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 4:23 PM
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Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 4:32 PM
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Quote from: Njal digitising slides or negs is very time consuming. It's awfully easy to get bored!
Seconded
I have had an Epson Perfection 3170 Photo scanner for a few years now which has produced a few reasonable results - but I have made very little progress in scanning 30+ years worth of transparencies and negatives. You have been warned!
Cliff
Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 5:03 PM
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Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 5:08 PM
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I am sure that I was being a bit naive in thinking that you just put the negatives in a machine and that was it.
Midnight Caller's link was interesting as it had software with it including the aforementioned SilverFast. Pierre's looked good but a little expensive for my simple needs. From what I have read the cheaper ones are not worth the bother as they appear washed out - no good taking the time and effort if they are substandard.
This was going to be a nice little project for the darker evenings and winter months but I have realised from the replies that I am probably not going to be able to proceed. I don't have the knowledge or aptitude for serious photo editing and fiddling about with resolutions and what have you (have bookmarked the link to the scanner information as it does take a bit of absorbing).
I am going to check out a photographic stall in our indoor market tomorrow - the chap there does editing and repairing so if he has the right equipment, I can leave a packet and then evaluate the results to see if it is worthwhile continuing, both financially and in terms of quality.
I like the comments by Neil and Whiffler about getting bored - if anything is to put me off, that will.
Re: Slide and negative scanners
01-09-2008 6:24 PM
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Many flatbed scanners are pretty good and reasonably cheap. If you're selective in the negs you choose to digitise it needn't take too much time. Just choose your best photos and many can be discarded from the digitising process (at least many of mine can).
You will certainly get a reasonable image editing program if you buy a scanner, many have a single button entitled "Enhance my photo" or similar which will generally work pretty well.
Regards,
Neil
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