Microstock Footage Forum > Video Equipment / Sofware / Technique

Slide Scanner which one to chose?

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Josephine:
I need of a slide scanner for old Diapositives and -negatives. Any recommendations for a decent scanner plus software?

Clodio:

--- Quote from: Josephine on October 26, 2023, 11:51 ---I need of a slide scanner for old Diapositives and -negatives. Any recommendations for a decent scanner plus software?

--- End quote ---

Reflecta ProScan 7200 + Vuescan + Topaz DeNoise AI

fotoroad:
 What about DSLR or mirrorles camera with macro lens and slide light table?

Uncle Pete:

--- Quote from: Josephine on October 26, 2023, 11:51 ---I need of a slide scanner for old Diapositives and -negatives. Any recommendations for a decent scanner plus software?

--- End quote ---

I could send you to a long debate about this, elsewhere.  :)

There are advantages and disadvantages for any way for us to scan our own slides at home. There are investigative articles and videos that show why a flatbed isn't as good as a dedicated slide scanner. But when it comes to cost, if you make some concessions and don't expect a flatbed to be as good as a dedicated slide scanner, they are often just fine and "good enough".


--- Quote from: fotoroad on October 26, 2023, 18:51 --- What about DSLR or mirrorles camera with macro lens and slide light table?

--- End quote ---

Another excellent idea, for low volume and one here or one there. Just think, the image is the resolution of the camera, maybe minus a little because of format and cropping. But still. They turn out well.

I'll add one more. Slide copying attachment, everything is going to be manual anyway. These can be adapted from old slide copiers that were made for film cameras. Not that expensive. Add a bellows and you have a really nice way to use a DSLR or other camera to copy slides.



I have tried all four, and various versions. Depending on the demands, they all work just fine. Flatbeds are not as bad as the pixel peepers want to make them out to be. For the cost, a nice Epson V### makes wonderful scans, and mine is old, I can do 4 at a time. The newer are even better quality and might do more in a batch. Software included, automated slide batch scanning.

Stand alone, single slide scanners are expensive. Yes they also make the best quality, high resolution scans. Vuescan is probably the only and best software. It works with pretty much everything and anything. What I have and had, from Nikon, HP or some others, is just not as versatile as Vuescan. But... $120


Older LS-1 the last dedicated scanner I'll ever buy.

Most of the people reading here already own a good camera, so the slide adapter or light table, is a very efficient, lowest cost solution. You don't need a macro lens, just some manual extension tubes or a bellows. Main advice is, make a mask for the slide mount so it doesn't create exposure issues. And if "light table" is throwing you. Go buy a flat panel LED ceiling light. Now you own a back lite, even lighting background. If that's too harsh, drop a piece of paper or Plexiglass or something else, over the light, to make it softer. Some are dimable, which means you'll have to buy and wire in a dimmer.



There you go a summary. DIY, use a camera, probably the best and least expensive way. Dedicated slide scanner, one at a time, probably the best, and also most expensive. Flatbed will work for faster production, you might give up a little in the final results, but come on? 6400 dpi, native resolution for an Epson V series, how much do we need for Microstock. 4500x3000 = 13.5MP and you can double that by going to 6400dpi.

How much do you want to spend to get the resolution and quality that you need? How many slides do you want to scan? Take your pick.

ps You can send them out and save a bunch of investment in equipment or software. How great are the old slides? Are they worth scanning? Legacy Box, they don't clean or do anything, they just scan your slides. You get back roughly a 22MP image to edit. 25 slides will cost around $30 but they have sales, all the time.

If you are scanning various sizes, not standard 35mm. Probably a light table and a camera on a light stand. You're off. The scanners aren't set up for odd sizes.

Josephine:
many thanks to all!
I am wondering if the recent software like the Topaz family can compensate the result of a cheap slide scanner?
the use of a camera or a normal paper scanner?

I found a market for restoring historic slides and photos for local museums and town archives since the microstock business went so bad. The results are very encouraging but very ! time consuming. I want to get more effective with software and equipment.

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