BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Scanning Photos and the Digital Darkroom

Photography Question 

Mike Carpenter
 

Converting Slides to Digital: How to Do It?


What is the best way to transfer slides to digital format?


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May 05, 2005

 

Michael H. Cothran
  There's really only ONE way: Have them scanned (or scan them yourself). The higher the scanning resolution the better.
OK ... maybe there's another way, but I certainly would NOT recommend it: Copy (take pictures of) your slides with a digital camera that can shoot 1:1.

Michael H. Cothran
www.mhcphoto.net


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May 05, 2005

 

John A. Lind
  I agree with Michael. The scanner should be a true slide scanner ... not an adapted flatbed ... or a drum scanner if you're willing to go the very high cost of having a drum scan done by a professional lab. Drum scans are typically reserved for large fine art prints that will be periodically printed on demand by a lab.
I've never had a need for a drum scan, but have had numerous slides scanned by a pro lab and have always had them done at highest resolution on their film scanner. CDs are cheap, and it can always be down-sized to what's needed for publication or web use. Haven't encountered the need for drum scans (yet) and still have all the occasional large Ilfochrome prints made directly from the slide.


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May 05, 2005

 

Katie Lorenz
  Mike,
Yup. Having your slides scanned at high resolution is the best way to transfer them to digital format. I work at a professional lab and always reccommend that the customer has his/her slides scanned at the time of developing rather than after they are mounted. This way they can be scanned in the main printer which is usually the best quality.


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May 17, 2005

 
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