I need advice re: scanners

[Shadow Blaster]

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I shoot slide film almost exclusively, including a lot of Kodachrome, and have over 10,500 slides at present. I know next to nothing about scanners and have some questions that may seem simple but again, I'm in the dark. Here it goes:

 

(1) Can a scanner scan slides so that I can then send them via e-mail?

(2) Assuming the answer to (1) is Yes, what scanner is recommended?

(3) Do I need any special software to scan Kodachrome slides?

(4) Would the recommended scanner also be able to handle B+W negatives and prints?

 

Any advice will be gratefully received, and if there are other issues I should be aware of, please let me know that as well. Thanks in advance.

 

John S.

[earleygallery]

Short answers

 

1) yes

2) suggest you look at websites of local photo retailers, there aren't many new options left

3) the scanner will come with software or you can buy dedicated scanner software

4) you would need a suitable flatbed scanner to scan prints as well as film - look at the top end Epson and Canon flatbeds.

[poynterama]

If you are planning on scanning a large quantity of slides, think very carefully about a dedicated film/slide scanner (eg. Nikon) that is compatible with a bulk feeder. I use a Nikon Coolscan IV which is perfectly acceptable for the tasks I set it to, but it will only scan one slide at a time.

 

I have bought a copy of Vuescan professional edition, which I am learning the ropes on (and am still a bit hit and miss but improving all the time!). I can highly recommend the combination for my purposes.

 

Good luck!

[Shadow Blaster]

If you are planning on scanning a large quantity of slides, think very carefully about a dedicated film/slide scanner (eg. Nikon) that is compatible with a bulk feeder. I use a Nikon Coolscan IV which is perfectly acceptable for the tasks I set it to, but it will only scan one slide at a time.

 

I have bought a copy of Vuescan professional edition, which I am learning the ropes on (and am still a bit hit and miss but improving all the time!). I can highly recommend the combination for my purposes.

 

Good luck!

Thanks, Sam. I seem to recall the Nikon 5000 being highly recommended but it may be discontinued. If I can find a 5000, how would you compare it to your Coolscan IV, and has that one also been discontinued? Thanks in advance. John S.

[cmatter]

I've found that scanning results are very dependent on the software you use. This is especially true for color neg film Only 2 I've ever found to be really any good are VueScan.. download from Ed Hamrick's site (make sure you get the pro version). This will work with virtually any scanner ever made. The other is Flexcolor by Hasselblad (formerly Imacon). This comes free with Imacon (Hasselblad) scanners and Hasselblad digital cameras. As far as I know,, it will only drive Imacon (Hasselblad )scanners.

Scanning is rapidly becoming a forgotten art.. FYI

[poynterama]

The 5000 provides a higher scanning resolution than my IV, plus a faster interface I believe (the IV runs on USB 1). I think it takes the bulk feeder too. From what I've read on here, Nikon is gradually phasing out their line of film scanners so it might be a challenge to find a new one. I think the 9000 is still available new but don't quote me on that! As far as I'm aware, the 5000 is out of production, as is the IV (by a few years).

 

I guess your budget will be a determining factor in what you go for- I was only prepared to spend around AU$500 when I bought mine, and these days you should be able to get a 5000 for around that mark if you don't mind buying second hand or internet auctions (as I did).

 

Regarding your earlier question, these scanners are suitable for any kind of slides or film. It will probably take some (read: a lot) of fiddling to get the colours looking correct with some types of film. I have just finished scanning around 300 Anscochrome slides that were quite faded and difficult to get right, but once you find a recipie that works it's pretty straightforward.