35mm Transparencies to PC

[marsue]

I have offered to transport my husband's collection of 35mm transparency slides to the computer. I have a scanner for the job, a Canonscan 5000F. Before I start I need some advice as to what resolution I should use for the slides and what is the best way to approach this enormous task.
You will make a man very happy with any advice that you can give.

Thanks, marsue

[D70FAN]

I have offered to transport my husband's collection of 35mm transparency slides to the computer. I have a scanner for the job, a Canonscan 5000F. Before I start I need some advice as to what resolution I should use for the slides and what is the best way to approach this enormous task.
You will make a man very happy with any advice that you can give.

Thanks, marsue

I think the Canoscan 5000F can go to 4800dpi (2400 x 4800) so use the highest setting for best results. I'm not sure what software comes with the 5000F, but it should have a slide copier function to separate individual images into separate files.

If you have Photoshop CS (and I think Elements 3.0 as well) you can set it up to separate individual frames (something new). If not you will have to do this manually.

Depending on how many slides are involved this could be a long project. Hopefully most of the slides are in good shape. If not a little post procesing in Photoshop will make them good as new (and in some cases better).

Have fun.

[Geoff Chandler]

You are either brave, dedicated, or like me - find it quite a theraputic pastime! Yes, in essence, the other advice to go as high as poss. on resolution is theoretically true. But you may find you are wasting a lot of space and for no visible improvement at times. I have embarked on transfering ALL of my photos, negs and slides - and it will take a long time.! I have found on my Epson scanner, and I'm sure it will be similar on the Canon, that a 'Manual Scan' gives better results once you get the hang of all the bells and whistles. The Dots Per Inch represent dots per actual inch - so if I am scanning a regular Photo print in the 3x5, 6x4 size region then 300 - 600 DPI is plenty. The same resolution / image size is achieved from slides/negatives 35mm - on around 1600DPI (approx values but a good guide).
Now - I scan most of my slides and Negatives at 1600 DPI, at a JPG compresion of 97% it roughly equates to a 3mp sized image. Similarly if I scan at 1200 DPI (same compression) - it is similar to a 2mp image. I have experimented and sometimes I have scanned at 3200 dpi ~ usually to the naked eye they look softer, but if you crop them there is a bit more resolution - but only on good slides taken on less than or equal to 100ASA - otherwise it will be a waist of time and file size as no more detail will be extracted. Sorry If this is a bit long winded - feel free to e-mail me if you want anything clarifying. I am no expert but I have experimented now for well over a year with it. Oh, one other point - make sure you have a couple of good handy Graphic Photo editing type programs as no matter how carefull you are there will be some that need a tweek, also you will enevitably get a hair or mark that needs cloning out or touching in.
Good Luck
Geoff

[Rhys]

I'm looking into scanners at the moment, myself. I've seen some quite neat scanner - particularly an epson that allows one to put a stack of 6x4 prints into the lid and which then scans each one in turn (presumably spitting the bottom one out after scanning). I like that idea however, if you look closely at most 6x4 prints from highstreet labs, you'll see that the prints are never precisely in focus. They're not far off but they're enough off for me to notice with my naked eye. Prints I make, however, from negatives are always spot on.