There are millions of undeveloped photos lying around attics and storerooms simply because options for developing these pictures are much more limited than they used to be. Many drugstore photo labs no longer have the technology to develop prints from old-fashioned slides and negatives, and this can be an expensive and time-consuming process. While it is easy to say 'I'll do that later,' there are options available that can make developing those slides and negatives into beautiful, quality photographs an easy and affordable process.
One of those options is the purchase of a slide and negative scanner. This version of a scanner is different from what you may already have in your office. These scanners, unlike the ones you use to scan pictures and documents, are specially formatted to handle the needs of negatives and slides in order to develop them into full-sized quality images.
Also, depending upon your needs, a flatbed scanner may also be an option. Both slide scanners and flatbed scanners allow you to convert your 35mm film and slides into electronic images, but the difference between them can be as straightforward as cost, and as subtle as scan quality.
One of those options is the purchase of a slide and negative scanner. This version of a scanner is different from what you may already have in your office. These scanners, unlike the ones you use to scan pictures and documents, are specially formatted to handle the needs of negatives and slides in order to develop them into full-sized quality images.
Also, depending upon your needs, a flatbed scanner may also be an option. Both slide scanners and flatbed scanners allow you to convert your 35mm film and slides into electronic images, but the difference between them can be as straightforward as cost, and as subtle as scan quality.
A slide scanner is a type of film scanner that’s specialized for scanning 35mm slides and negatives. It connects to a computer and with the help of a software, it enables you to scan your slides and upload them. 135 Film Negative Scanner Slide Viewer Convert 35mm Film Slide to Digital JPEG. Support Windows XP/ Vista/7 /8 /10, free fast shipping. HD 22MP Multi-function.
1. | SVP 3-in-1 Digital Scanner |
Features |
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* Compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, or higher * Scan time is under a second per slide or negative * Impressive 3600 dpi resolution for pristine scanning of images |
2. | Cobra Digital Slide, Film, and Negative Scanner |
The first thing you notice with this slide, film, and negative scanner by Cobra is that it features a 2.4-inch color display that automatically shows you the image you have scanned. That means you do not have to run to the computer with every scan in order to determine whether or not the image has come through the way you want it, and you can guarantee there is no hassle if a scan does not complete properly. Simply pass it back through the scanner and try again. You can connect the scanner to your computer with a USB cable, but there is also an SD slot located in the scanner, allowing you to scan and save your photos even if your computer is not with you.
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* Creates 3600 DPI HD resolution images * Comes with 32MB of internal memory * Uses a 5.1MP CMOS sensor for clearer, more accurate scanning |
3. | PanDigital Photo Slide and Negative Converter |
The PanDigital Photo Slide and Negative Converter is an affordable option for scanning slides and negatives without a computer. An SD card is included with this scanner, and all of your images will automatically be stored on the device until you are ready to upload them onto your computer. If you are concerned with the prospect of correcting the color for all the images you upload, you will also love the fact that this scanner has an automatic color balancing function. In addition, it can crop your photo and detect the type of film it is scanning. All of its functions can be accessed at the press of a button for maximum ease of use.
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* Pictures can be uploaded to a computer or digital frame after scanning * Saves photos as JPEG files * 5-in-1 card reader supports all memory card formats |
4. | Wolverine Film to Digital Converter |
Though a viewing screen is provided with this film-to-digital converter made by Wolverine, this scanner is also equipped with a TV output, so you can see exactly what you are scanning even without a computer. The scanner also allows you to adjust the brightness of images as you scan them, which simplifies the process of cleaning up your photos after they have been scanned. Overall, this is a no-muss, no-fuss device that can take care of all your slide and negative scanning needs.
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* Creates 20 MP images with each scan, saved to JPEG format * Can be used with SD/SDHC external memory, although internal memory is available * Works with both PC and Mac computers |
5. | Ion Slides 2 PC Slide and Negative Converter |
This slide and negative scanner by Ion is designed to produce the most high-resolution images possible. It uses a four-glass optic element that is able to extract images from slides and negatives with a resolution of 5 MP. In addition, it features automatic color balancing, automatic exposure, and a fixed-focus range, all of which drastically reduce the time you spend manually editing your scanned images. However, for what little editing work you need to do, this scanner also includes software that helps you through
the process.
the process.
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* Simple USB 2.0 connection • Click the Network Configuration on the top menu. Brother 2270dw wireless setup download. • Type the IP Address of the Brother machine Printer Settings report into the web browser address line and press ENTER. The Brother Web Management screen will appear. * Extremely compact size at under 7 inches Part 1: Formatting USB Drive on Mac Please note: since OS X 10.11 El Capitan (the latest is 10.13 High Sierra), Apple made a few changes to Disk Utility (see details from this ComputerWorld post ). How to format a USB stick on a Mac Sometimes you need to format (completely erase) an USB stick to restore it to its full capacity. Here's how to format an USB stick on a Mac. Get the full storage. To share a USB drive between a Mac and a Windows PC, there are two disk formats to choose from: exFAT and FAT32. The other formats -- Microsoft's NTFS and Apple's Mac OS Extended -- don't work well on the other operating system. Use Disk Utility to Format USB Flash Drive on Mac. The simplest way to format a disk in Mac OS is to simply use the Disk Utility since it is the Mac’s built in disk maintenance tool. To format USB drive on Mac using this method, all you need to do is plug in the USB device into your Mac and select it from the Disk Utility’s sidebar menu. * 1680 X 2592 dpi scanning resolution |
6. | Epson V500 Slide, Negative, and Film Photo Scanner |
Epson is well-known for its line of scanners, and this product fits nicely in its line-up. It has one of the highest available resolutions on the market and converts negatives and slides into digital images with an incredible 6400 dpi resolution. It uses an LED light source and is guaranteed to scan quality images of even damaged and dusty slides and negatives. To further aid in the process of restoring those old images, Epson includes Adobe Photoshop Elements as part of the complete package.
The unit requires no warm-up time and can be used as a document scanner as well. It even comes with an optional document feeder for scanning multiple items at once. All in all, the Epson V500 may just be your primary scanner for the home or office; it can fit almost any needs that you have.
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* Incredible 6400 x 9600 dpi resolution * One-touch color restoration * Can create 17-by-22-inch or larger sizes from film and negatives |
Additional Items to Consider
When you are purchasing a slide and negative scanner, it might be wise to purchase additional items that can help you archive those important photos. Keep in mind that the accessories you choose will depend on what you plan to do with your newly scanned digital images.
Item | Description |
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Photo Printer | Use a high-quality printer to print your new images Have inks and paper on hand for printing |
Displays all of your pictures in a rolling slideshow of images | |
Transfer your scanned images to a computer, digital photo frame, or other device | |
Use photo editing software to clean up old images |
Slide scanners generally come equipped with everything you need to complete the job. Film holders, which hold your slides or film in place during scanning, and transparency units, which allow you to scan transparency materials, like medium format film and non-standard film sizes, are important tools that you use often.
Buying Slide and Negative Scanners on eBay
Finding slide and negative scanners on eBay can be a little more difficult than finding a flatbed scanner or even a pass-through scanner. Unlike these items, there is no search refinement that allows you to see only those scanners with slide and negative scanning capabilities. However, they are still located in the main Scanners subcategory, under Printers, Scanners, and Supplies, which is a subcategory of the main Computers/Tablets and Networking section of the site. From here, you can input the keywords 'slides and negatives' in the eBay search box. This should lead you to many listings of great items that help you convert your slides and negatives into a digital format. It can also help to add a brand name, such as Nikon, or specific models, like the Epson v700, for results that detail product specs, price, and other information that may help your research. Conclusion
There is no longer any reason to keep your slides and negatives stored away. Do not let your cherished memories sit around collecting dust; converting them into digital images is not as complicated as most people think, and this task can be completed with the simple touch of a button.Digitize Your Precious Photos
Both photo buffs and family archivists often turn to photo scanners to digitize their prints and film. Most such scanners provide photo-friendly features, such as high resolution and the ability to scan transparencies such as slides and negatives in addition to photo prints. Many include software to help retouch scans and remove scratches.
Though they are geared to photo scanning, most photo scanners can also be used for general-purpose scanning, and some include optical character recognition (OCR) software. This is a niche segment of the hardware market; you will see relatively few models of photo scanner on the market, and they tend to have very long shelf lives.
Flatbeds: The Rule for Photo Scanning
One feature shared by nearly all true photo scanners is a flatbed design. In these scanner designs, you lift a lid to expose a glass platen, onto which you place your photo to be scanned.
We strongly urge you to avoid making a habit of scanning photos (or any delicate originals, for that matter) through a sheet-fed document scanner. It works in a pinch, but it risks damaging your originals, even if they're enclosed in a protective sleeve. A notable exception is the Epson FastFoto line of sheet-fed photo printers, the latest of which is the FastFoto FF-680W. The FastFoto models are built specifically for scanning shoeboxes full of photo prints and are engineered to treat the prints gently.
Finding the Right Features
Photo scanners are available in a wide range of prices and capabilities. As a rule, low-cost photo models are limited to scanning photo prints. Many do a very good job of this, generally for less than $100. Starting in the $200 range are scanners that can handle slides and/or film negatives. Such models come with holders that fit multiple slides or negatives and secure them in place during scanning.
See How We Test Scanners
Most scanners offer basic and advanced modes, accessible through their driver or scan utilities. A scanner software's basic mode, typically, will select the scan settings for you, while the advanced mode will let you customize the settings.
Many scanner drivers also have dust- and scratch-removal capabilities. The dust feature sometimes works well, but effective scratch removal really requires a hardware-based solution. To pinpoint this, look for something called Digital ICE technology, which is generally built into some photo higher-end scanners.
Is an MFP Enough?
Though most people who scan a lot of photos will want a single-function scanner, nearly all multifunction printers (MFPs) include a flatbed that can scan photo prints and other material. The quality of their photo scanning varies widely, depending on the hardware and software involved. Most fall well short of single-function photo scanners in terms of scan quality and/or photo-centric features. (See our picks for the best multifunction printers.)
A few models, which we call home photo labs, can scan slides and negatives in addition to prints, and have a variety of photo-centric features, as well as providing the normal MFP functions (printing, copying, and—in some cases—faxing). They're worth considering if you're a scrapbooker or a photo buff in need of a versatile photo scanner that can print and make copies, as well.
Ready for Our Recommendations?
The models we highlight here run the gamut from inexpensive consumer units to scanners aimed at serious photographers, be they professionals or advanced amateurs. What all these products have in common is that they're the best photo scanners in their respective categories on the market today.
For more on what to look for in a scanner, check out our top overall scanner picks. And if you have an Apple computer, our guide to the best scanners for Macs is worth checking out. Also, before you start that big digitizing project, you'll also want to check out our top tips for preserving your photos.
Best Photo Scanners Featured in This Roundup:
Canon CanoScan LiDE 120 Color Image Scanner Review
MSRP: $69.99Pros: High-quality photo scans. Color restore. Scans to searchable PDF format.Cons: Extremely limited software with no photo editor.Bottom Line: If you want to scan photographic prints without paying for a film-scanning feature you don't need, the Canon CanoScan LiDE 120 Color Image Scanner should be your top choice.Read ReviewEpson FastFoto FF-680W Review
MSRP: $599.99Pros: Quickly scans stacks of photo prints. Decent as a document scanner. Scans to searchable PDF. Solid OCR performance.Cons: Somewhat pricey. Slower at photo scanning than its predecessor.Bottom Line: The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a sheet-feed desktop scanner that excels at scanning stacks of snapshots while doing a credible job at document scanning.Read ReviewEpson Perfection V39 Review
MSRP: $99.99Pros: High-quality photo scans. Fully automatic mode for easy scanning. Scans to editable text and searchable PDF formats.Cons: No film-scan capability. Lacks bundled applications.Bottom Line: The Epson Perfection V39 flatbed scanner is an excellent choice if you want to scan photographic prints, as well as short documents to searchable PDF and editable text formats. It's our top budget pick for high-quality photo scanning.Read ReviewEpson Perfection V550 Photo Color Scanner Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: High-quality scans for a flatbed scanner at its price. Can scan slides, negatives, and medium-format film as well as prints. Digital ICE hardware-based dust removal for film. Can upload scans directly to Facebook and cloud-based services.Cons: Lacks photo-editing program. Not ideal for document scanning.Bottom Line: The Epson Perfection V550 Photo Color Scanner makes high-quality scans from both photos and film, and can scan directly to Facebook and cloud-based sites.Read ReviewEpson Expression 12000XL-PH Review
MSRP: $3429.99Pros: High-resolution, wide-format scanning. Scans slides, negatives, and transparencies, as well as reflective photos and artwork. Highly accurate color and detail.Cons: Expensive. Big and heavy. Transparency unit comes uninstalled.Bottom Line: The Epson Expression 12000XL-PH is a large, tabloid-size graphics arts and photograph scanner that is compatible with a large array of media and produces excellent output.Read Review