Jennifer Posted November 19, 2014 Share #1 Posted November 19, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sadly my 94 year old father passed away last weekend and shortly I'll be faced with the unenviable task of clearing out his apartment. Amongst the bric-a-brac of decades is his film collection (he was a keen and accomplished amateur photographer) comprising 1000's of feet of 16mm and Super 8 home movies and several 1000, 35mm transparencies mostly taken during the 50's, 60's and early 70's using a variety of Leicas M's which he then owned. I can't see anyone in the family bothering with either buying or using a projector for either the movies or the stills. However, I think it'd be a pity to just dump the whole lot in some attic to gather dust as my kids might at some stage consider the collection both interesting and amusing and perhaps in turn so might their own kids also. So, after my long, boring preamble, leaving aside the complexities of digitising the movies (I understand that it's a very expensive process to have done professionally), my question is if I undertake to digitise the transparencies myself what should I look for in a good quality 35mm scanner capable of taking on a project of this size? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 19, 2014 Posted November 19, 2014 Hi Jennifer, Take a look here Scanning 35mm transparencies. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Doc Henry Posted November 19, 2014 Share #2 Posted November 19, 2014 ... film collection (he was a keen and accomplished amateur photographer) comprising 1000's of feet of 16mm and Super 8 home movies and several 1000, 35mm transparencies mostly taken during the 50's, 60's and early 70's using a variety of Leicas M's which he then owned. So, after my long, boring preamble, leaving aside the complexities of digitising the movies (I understand that it's a very expensive process to have done professionally), my question is if I undertake to digitise the transparencies myself what should I look for in a good quality 35mm scanner capable of taking on a project of this size? Hi Jennifer, you have first Nikon scanners but the prices in second hand are unaffordable and non-existent after-sales service in France, spare parts out of stock also. Rest Epson, Plusteck * and other brands , if it is to post pictures on the internet or to store photos in an external hard drive (but film archiving is better in folders) or to develop on paper, this scanner is sufficient and there is always the after-sales service. All of these scanners are available in occasion and scanning is a job that will take time Do not forget that the archiving of film negative or slides are the best way to keep them without degradation. My negatives are kept since the 1970s without any damage. Best Henry * http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/353886-epson-v850.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted November 19, 2014 Share #3 Posted November 19, 2014 Jennifer, perhaps a way to approach it would be to think in terms of projects or collections. You don't need to scan all of them, being slides they are ideal to pick out the best or most pertinent and just scan those. But for instance, as a family archive or history in memory of you fathers photography you could perhaps pick out a 'history of the family holiday' and scan some of those, or occasions like birthdays or New Year, or his own personal interests in subject matter. When you have collected some thoughts it makes scanning have a purpose, otherwise it can be soul destroying just scanning for scannings sake. An ideal scanner would be one of the dedicated film scanners by Plustek, they aren't too expensive and the models only vary depending on the software included. Also consider storage as scans take up space, so perhaps a separate hard drive to store them on. And when you have them you can share via email or web storage, or even do some home published books based on the collections, using Blurb etc. which other family members can purchase at cost if they want one. The main thing is to think of the end result, limit the amount by having some sort of criteria, and have fun. Those you don't scan first time around can be trawled again later. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted November 19, 2014 Share #4 Posted November 19, 2014 Have you considered using a BEOON and digitising the transparencies with your digital M? Once it's properly set up, running the transparencies through the setup becomes much faster and more pleasant than using a scanner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amro Posted November 19, 2014 Share #5 Posted November 19, 2014 Dear Jennifer, My condolences for the passing away of your father. Considering the sheer quantity - I think it's worth considering getting a company to scan everything in for you. Scanning more the one or two things is very time consuming and I'm not sure who has the time. The scans done could be low resolution (they'll likely be not that great anyway - no one is going to sit through a huge quantity of film and optimize each frame). You could then pick out one or two you like and scan them in yourself at high resolution. As mentioned before - the excellent Nikon scanners are simply too expensive to buy second hand (plus the hardware, mainly the connections, is out of date. It's a mad situation). But you have other options now, as mentioned by others and with care and time, you'll get good results. Best wishes, Amro 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted November 22, 2014 Share #6 Posted November 22, 2014 From the post by Phil Urwin:- Buyers Guide: Pakon Kodak F-135 Plus 35mm Scanner | lamfoto.net but I think this article has disappeared now. https://www.facebook.com/groups/6577...79535658732141 Pakon Film Scanner Used | eBay Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted November 23, 2014 Share #7 Posted November 23, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) There cheap 35mm scanners at ebay. I have the same problem. I scan on a flatbed at the moment to find the photos with family members. The rest is more or less not interesting. Jan An interesting one. Around 1935: supply ships in Rotterdam http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=469852&stc=1&d=1416735607 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/237302-scanning-35mm-transparencies/?do=findComment&comment=2712551'>More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted November 23, 2014 Share #8 Posted November 23, 2014 From the post by Phil Urwin:- Buyers Guide: Pakon Kodak F-135 Plus 35mm Scanner | lamfoto.net but I think this article has disappeared now. https://www.facebook.com/groups/6577...79535658732141 Pakon Film Scanner Used | eBay The Pakon isn't suitable for transparencies. Pete 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted November 23, 2014 Share #9 Posted November 23, 2014 You could consider the Epson V700 as you can load it with a few slides then leave it to batch scan. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted November 26, 2014 Share #10 Posted November 26, 2014 Hi Jennifer, you have first Nikon scanners but the prices in second hand are unaffordable and non-existent after-sales service in France, spare parts out of stock also. There are places (German Scandig comes to mind) where they rudely and ruthlessly jack up the prices of used film scanners, in particular the Coolscans. Then there's Ffordes, a very pleasant Scottish firm which usually has a good stock of film scanners that are sold for reasonable money. I know from speaking with Ffordes that they send their scanners, including Nikon Coolscans, for service as necessary before selling them (Gareth is the man to speak with, as I recall). Another place that, lo and behold, sometimes have scanners in stock is Leicashop in Vienna. I bought my second Coolscan, a 9000, there for very reasonable money with a full set of film holders. There is a lot of talk on the internet that Nikon won't service the Coolscans. I believe the 9000 is still being serviced however; it is different with the 5000 and 8000 models (supposedly). That said, as late as last year Ffordes sent one of their 8000 models for service (I know because I considered buying it) so it can be done. The 9000 is a wonderful scanner that never fails to amaze me. And at least on my 2008 Mac Pro I have no problems connecting it using firewire. It can even be connected to the latest Macbook Pros using an adapter. The various Plustek models may be a better option if one is after warranty and service. The Opticfilm 120 seems to be as good as the 9000 but the cheaper ones are not. Then again it depends on one's needs. The Epson flatbeds are also good but no match for a dedicated film scanner. Again, it depends on the needs. Also, as Henry mentioned, scanning has a pretty steep and long initial learning curve so may not be the best option in this case. If one has no further need for the scanner then outsourcing to a company is probably a better idea. But before doing so whole-hog I'd recommend speaking with the lab and obtaining a few tests of various film emulsions to see that they know what the heck they're doing. Personally, however, if I were in Jennifer's situation, I would probably do what Philipp suggests - digitise using a digital M. The slight drawback in my experience from digitising with a 5D2 and a 100L macro is dust. Scanners usually include digital ICE to remove dust automatically. But this can be managed by wiping the slides before photographing them and by working in a dust-free(ish) environment. Still, time will need to be spent dust spotting in Photoshop (of course needs and expectations come in to play again). There's lots of info online about this but here are a few links I've found interesting. First of all this one which is pretty spot on: Sculpting with Light: The other day I bought a Leica BEOON. Then these which are not Leica-specific: BJP | Hybrid Copy http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/198474-using-dslr-digitise-color-negs.html The Future of Scanning | THE AGNOSTIC PRINT through the Nikon F-Mount - How to digitise your slides (and negatives) Camera Scanning | dpBestflow Camera Scan Workflow | dpBestflow Copying slides with OM-D and 60mm Macro — Pekka Potka DSLR Scanner: Camera Supports and Positioning Best and good luck Philip PS: Scanning large amounts of slides reminds me of this: http://blogs.lib.unc.edu/morton/index.php/2007/12/200000-slides/ http://blogs.lib.unc.edu/morton/index.php/2008/01/200000-slides-part-2/ http://blogs.lib.unc.edu/morton/index.php/2008/01/200000-slides-part-3/ http://blogs.lib.unc.edu/morton/index.php/2008/01/200000-slides-part-4/ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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