Film scanning?

[Nick F]

My mum has about 2,000 pictures she would like in digital form. She has them as 35mm negatives and the original pictures.

My question to you is which is the fastest way to get them onto my PC? I've looked at negative scanners but they seem rather expensive.

[jamena]

I've looked into this before and I think it'll be a slow process whatever way you do it. You'd probably not do too badly using something like an Epson 4490 flatbed or the 4990. They scan something like 24-36 negatives at a go, do a pretty decent job (depends if the images are to be used as a source for large prints, small prints, or just viewed on a LCD or even the web). Even so it'll likely take some time to do all the scanning and you'd quite possibly want to do some post-processing (might of course be able to do a load as a batch)

Let us know how you/she get on if you do get a scanner!

[Bobster]

wow
thats going to take time!!

my Epson 4490 has the ability to scan 35mm but only 12 at a time.. 166.6 scans to do 2000! each scan taking upto 8 minutes depending on res..

22.2hrs of continuous scanning..

[jamena]

wow
thats going to take time!!

my Epson 4490 has the ability to scan 35mm but only 12 at a time.. 166.6 scans to do 2000! each scan taking upto 8 minutes depending on res..

22.2hrs of continuous scanning..

ooh ... how would you rate the output from the 4490? Good enough for making normal and/or largeish prints from?


(I think the 4990 might be able to do more at a go than the 4490 but I forget the specs

[g8ina]

Memory says there is an attachment to fit the front of a lens to enable an SLR/DSLR to photograph the slide. Sadly my memory is really duff and I may be fishing in the wind.

Whichever way you decide, there's a labour of love in the making !!

[Funkstar]

g8ina, yes they do exist

Here's one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HD-Slide-Copie...QQcmdZViewItem

no idea how good they are though (probably not as good as a decent flatbed or film scanner)

[g8ina]

Glad my memory is still OK If Nick could find a "good one" it might save an enormous amount of time, and for £35 ish, it may be worth a try.

[Bobster]

ooh ... how would you rate the output from the 4490? Good enough for making normal and/or largeish prints from?


(I think the 4990 might be able to do more at a go than the 4490 but I forget the specs

largest print i've produced from it was 10x8, and i was very happy with that - i was restoring 3 very old wedding photos and transforming them from B+W to Colour

i've also scanned some slides and trannies in with it for print jobs and they've come out great as well

i did look at the 4990 but couldn't justify the extra money just for a little more density which can be acheived in PS with curves... i've also never been asked to scan a 10x8in film in.. oh and the 4990 scans an A4 sheet 5 seconds faster than the 4490..

[jamena]

found it - the 4990 will hold 4x6 film strips, so can manage 24 negatives at a time. I guess in theory this means you can scan the photos in at twice(ish?) the rate but it'd still take time to tweak them one-by-one afterwards! £130ish for the 4490 and £270ish for the 4990 though makes it a what's your budget question too

[Million]

Just did a load of mine using my university's photographic society's scanner - came out with amazing 11mp images. My advice to you is find a club or society that has one, and use it! I was quoted ridiculous prices to get mine done at a lab, so with 2000 you'd be better off buying your own scanner!