slighly off-topic: converting 35mm slides to digital, how?

**Lolly** · 08-13-2011, 03:46 PM

Hello Philadelphia Photo Buffs.

I know this isn't exactly Philadelphia photo-related, but I'm wondering if anyone here has any advice for me?:

I have ~425 old 35mm slides (family photos) that I'd like to covert to digital. The question is, what's the best and most economical way to do that?

I was planning on buying one of these relatively inexpensive "scanners" but in researching them further it appears they may not be scanning the photos at all, but actually taking pictures of them, which might not be the best quality.

Seems like actual slide-scanners cost a lot more though, and I'm not exactly working with a big budget here.

So now I'm thinking maybe using a service, such as this one or this one is the best way to go, for a finite number of slides...?

Only problem is, I'm not real comfortable with the idea of shipping my precious slides off to some unknown place...

Anyone know of a good/reliable service that does this in Philadelphia that I can bring them to? And/or, any other thoughts/suggestions?

**FrankStar** · 08-13-2011, 04:16 PM

Walgreens.

Available Transfer Services

**Lolly** · 08-13-2011, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by FrankStar

Walgreens.

Available Transfer Services

Thanks Frank.

Huh. Interesting. I've used Walgreens for prints but didn't realize they did that sort of thing. Still, assuming they send them out somewhere to be processed I'm not sure I like that option. Also, wondering if the photos would be accessible as stand-alone (JPEG) files on the resulting DVD or not? Plus, looks like this option would cost well over $200. At that price I guess I would take my chances on the $60 "scanner" first.

Anyone else got any ideas?

**MTEMPLE** · 08-13-2011, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Lolly

Thanks Frank.

Huh. Interesting. I've used Walgreens for prints but didn't realize they did that sort of thing. Still, assuming they send them out somewhere to be processed I'm not sure I like that option. Also, wondering if the photos would be accessible as stand-alone (JPEG) files on the resulting DVD or not? Plus, looks like this option would cost well over $200. At that price I guess I would take my chances on the $60 "scanner" first.

Anyone else got any ideas?

Find a friend with a good scanner and offer them some cash to do it. Good home photo scanners are around $600 ( multi scan) if you want a good jpeg or tiff. Most cheap scanners can only scan one slide at a time when good ones can scan 24 at a time.

**Hi My Name Is** · 08-14-2011, 01:38 PM

I have this printer: Amazon.com: Epson Stylus Photo RX600 Inkjet All-in-One: Electronics

You may be able to find it cheaper on ebay. I don't think I paid nearly as much as amazon is charging, but this printer does have a special tray for negatives/slides. I have used it to scan 35mm negatives and it does a decent job. My only complaint is that if one of the 8 ink cartridges is near empty, it won't print anything until it is replaced. For example if yellow is almost empty, you still can't print out a black & white page until yellow is replaced. As a scanner, it does a great job though!

**Lolly** · 08-14-2011, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by MTEMPLE

Find a friend with a good scanner and offer them some cash to do it. Good home photo scanners are around $600 ( multi scan) if you want a good jpeg or tiff. Most cheap scanners can only scan one slide at a time when good ones can scan 24 at a time.

That's an interesting idea. Will post the proposition on Facebook and see what happens. Thanks.

**Lolly** · 08-14-2011, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Hi My Name Is

I have this printer: Amazon.com: Epson Stylus Photo RX600 Inkjet All-in-One: Electronics

You may be able to find it cheaper on ebay. I don't think I paid nearly as much as amazon is charging, but this printer does have a special tray for negatives/slides. I have used it to scan 35mm negatives and it does a decent job. My only complaint is that if one of the 8 ink cartridges is near empty, it won't print anything until it is replaced. For example if yellow is almost empty, you still can't print out a black & white page until yellow is replaced. As a scanner, it does a great job though!

Funny, I just got a Epson all-in-one and have the same complaint! Mine is a bottom-of-the-line cheapo though and doesn't do slides or anything. Hey, any chance you'd be willing to scan my slides to JPEGs for me on yours? If so, how much would you want to do 'em?

**Hi My Name Is** · 08-14-2011, 02:22 PM

I'll have to look around and see if I can find the slide attachment. If I find it,then maybe we can discuss further. I'll let you know tomorrow if I find it.

**Lolly** · 08-14-2011, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Hi My Name Is

I'll have to look around and see if I can find the slide attachment. If I find it,then maybe we can discuss further. I'll let you know tomorrow if I find it.

Cool, thanks!!

**Bob_Head** · 08-14-2011, 07:24 PM

Not to pricey, but kind of slow: Canon CanoScan 9000F Color Image Scanner 4207B002 B&H Photo

It probably won't make scans that hold up to anything larger than 8X10 prints, and 5X7 seem more in the ballpark. For the 1 to 2 megapixel size typical of computer monitors, it should be great.

For less than that, though, you can send the whole batch off to ScanCafe and be done with it. ScanCafe - Photo Scanning, Negative Scanning, Slide Scanning, Video Transfer, Photo Restoration

**arri** · 08-28-2011, 11:06 PM

Maybe a bit late to the threat but I use Philadelphia Photographics to process my slides. Normally I have 'em just scan them to CD now a days a well and don't even bother with the mounting cutting. They do top notch work, but can be pricey. I'm not sure exact costs but it's super quality work. Give 'em a ring:

Philadelphia Photographics - professional film and digital processing, printing, and imaging services

I'd certainly trust them for irreplaceable stuffs more than Walgreens.