35mm - Digital

[MGordon]

I have stacks of old 35mm color slides that I would like to transfer to digital so I can archive them on CD or DVD. Does any one have experience with this? What type of equipment and software would I need? Costs?



Any information would be appreciated!

 

[KBennett]

I have a $99 HP Scanjet 3970 that does a fairly good job scanning in negatives. It has a slot for the negatives or a flatbed for the photos. There are better but more expensive models out there but most of my pictures were taken with disposables or low end cameras so it doesn't matter much to me.

 

[MRickard]

Get a slide/negative scanner - one that is designed specific for doing that. That is the best way. A flat-bed scanner used for the prints is the worst, one used for slides and negatives is okay, but not as good as a "stand alone" one.



Also, if you are not using windows, make sure there is a driver for it, as many HP scanners are not really HP's but 3rd party ones, and many times they refuses to make drivers unless you use windopes (case you use linux - make sure it is here: http://www.sane-project.org/sane-supported-devices.html)



As far as software, all you need is a scanner to digitize the images and make files of them on your computer; a cd or dvd recorder; a program capable of making disk images in the format you want on the cd; and any program capable of writing to the recorder. Most software for windows has the latter two bundled. You do not need to make any type of "image cd" or "picture cd" or otherwise - just a plain data cd (ISO9660) is fine, and then it is most compatatle (especially if you add in HPFS (apple), Joilet (windows), and RockyRidge (UNIX) extensions to it). I use mkisofs and cdrecord for the programs. There is a ton of free cd recording software for windows too.