CONVERTING SLIDES TO DIGITAL FORMAT

PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE FULL ISSUE PREV FULL ISSUE

V3 2000 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 3, Number 12, March 19, 2000, Article 6

CONVERTING SLIDES TO DIGITAL FORMAT

Bob Cochran writes:

"I purchased an HP 5200CSE scanner a few months ago, and also purchased a slide adapter for it. I haven't used the slide adapter yet, but the part number is C7677-67735. It was about $25."

Mike Metras writes:

"Alan Luedeking asks whether anyone has an easy way to scan slides. I think I can infer from the content of his question that he has a scanner, hopefully a flatbed scanner. If so, a friend recently came across an internet site that tells how to build a simple paper reflector- adapter that allows you to scan slides with a regular flatbed scanner. Look at http://www.abstractconcreteworks.com/essays/scanning/Backlighter.html

Not only does it look like it will do the job, but he also directs you to a really fine site (http://www.scantips.com/) with a lot of very good tips on scanning. I have not tried the reflector because I have the scanner I mention in the next paragraph, but it sure looks like it should work with a little effort.

That being said, I use a Hewlett Packard Photo Smart scanner. It is designed specifically for scanning slides, negatives, and small (up to 3x5) photos. It is in the $300-$400 range depending on where you get it. But I do a lot of slide and negative digitizing and this is a really wonderful tool for doing it quickly and efficiently. It allows me to scan even small portions of the original slide or negative. If the quality is in the slide, this scanner picks it up. For photos, it is so much better to scan the negative than the print because you can get all the sharpness of the original."

Kerry Wetterstrom, Publisher of The Celator, writes:

"In response to Alan Luedeking's request for information on scanning slides, I use a Nikon Coolscan III slide scanner. It works beautifully, is easy to set-up and use, and comes with its own software that is also simple to use (or a plug-in that works with Photoshop). Relatively inexpensive at approximately $750, the cost is justified if you own a lot of slides that you want to scan. I use it for The Celator and have found it invaluable. Many flatbed scanners have the ability to scan transparencies but do not work as well with mounted 35mm slides."

Wayne Homren, Editor

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

This is a static archive page documenting the originally published content. Links were active at the time of publication but may no longer work. Check subsequent issues for corrections and commentary.

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at http://www.coinbooks.org/ There is a membership application available on the web site. To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Visit the Membership page. Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: E-Sylum Editor