Home Slide Scanning vs Lab Digitizing Question

**Biff** · 12-28-2010, 09:10 AM

Howdy-

I'm sure this is a well worn question, but I'm new to this part of the forum so thanks in advance for your forbearance.

I have a bunch of slides to digitize and am deciding whether to do them myself or send them to a service. I have an old Minolta Dimage Elite II scanner, or could buy a new/used better one, or them send out to a service.

Has anyone had a similar dilemma, and if you've used a slide digitizing service can you recommend any?

Many thanks.

**Miguel** · 12-28-2010, 10:00 AM

It depends on what your definition of a "bunch" is.

M

cats_five · 01-20-2011, 10:53 AM

It also depends on what you want to use the scans for. Large prints? (10x8 for example) Get a quality scan done with D-ICE. Flickr? Use the Minola.

If 'a bunch' is thousands (or even hundreds) and you want high-quality scans you could consider getting a Nikon Coolscan V and slide feeder (SF-200 or SF210 I believe) on Ebay (it will take time and patience), do your scanning and then resell the Nikon & feeder. The second hand price seems to be as much as the new price was, and they seem to be holding their price very well.

SpecialK · 01-20-2011, 12:24 PM

This might be a helpful subforum...

Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom - PentaxForums.com

ppppsssstttt · 01-21-2011, 10:57 AM

Personally, I've hated scanning in negatives. The slightest speck of dust will drive you nuts. Best of patience to you.

cats_five · 01-22-2011, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by ptrenh

Personally, I've hated scanning in negatives. The slightest speck of dust will drive you nuts. Best of patience to you.

That's the magic of D-ICE. The results are terrific so long as you are not scanning Kodachrome or B&W.

KODAK: KODAK DIGITAL ICE TECHNOLOGY

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-24-2011, 06:22 PM

I havea minolta Dimage II with USB 1.1 interface. I scanned 4700 slides and 15,000 negatives over 4 years

Yes it is slow but it did a good job in the end

artobest · 01-29-2011, 10:28 AM

Your Minolta is a good scanner - comparable or even better than similarly specced Nikon scanners, especially in its colour reproduction. I suggest you start with it, and if you find it too slow then look at either a second-hand later-model Konica Minolta, a new Plustek film scanner or perhaps an Epson V700/V750 flatbed (and learn how to use them thoroughly - there's nothing worse than having to redo old scans as you travel up the learning curve!).

12-28-2010, 09:10 AM	#1
Biff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Photos: Albums Posts: 1,081	Home Slide Scanning vs Lab Digitizing Question Howdy- I'm sure this is a well worn question, but I'm new to this part of the forum so thanks in advance for your forbearance. I have a bunch of slides to digitize and am deciding whether to do them myself or send them to a service. I have an old Minolta Dimage Elite II scanner, or could buy a new/used better one, or them send out to a service. Has anyone had a similar dilemma, and if you've used a slide digitizing service can you recommend any? Many thanks.

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12-28-2010, 10:00 AM	#2
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	It depends on what your definition of a "bunch" is. M

01-20-2011, 10:53 AM	#3
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	It also depends on what you want to use the scans for. Large prints? (10x8 for example) Get a quality scan done with D-ICE. Flickr? Use the Minola. If 'a bunch' is thousands (or even hundreds) and you want high-quality scans you could consider getting a Nikon Coolscan V and slide feeder (SF-200 or SF210 I believe) on Ebay (it will take time and patience), do your scanning and then resell the Nikon & feeder. The second hand price seems to be as much as the new price was, and they seem to be holding their price very well.

01-20-2011, 12:24 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	This might be a helpful subforum... Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom - PentaxForums.com

01-21-2011, 10:57 AM	#5
ppppsssstttt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 152	Personally, I've hated scanning in negatives. The slightest speck of dust will drive you nuts. Best of patience to you.

01-22-2011, 09:36 AM	#6
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	Originally posted by ptrenh Personally, I've hated scanning in negatives. The slightest speck of dust will drive you nuts. Best of patience to you. That's the magic of D-ICE. The results are terrific so long as you are not scanning Kodachrome or B&W. KODAK: KODAK DIGITAL ICE TECHNOLOGY

01-24-2011, 06:22 PM	#7
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	I havea minolta Dimage II with USB 1.1 interface. I scanned 4700 slides and 15,000 negatives over 4 years Yes it is slow but it did a good job in the end

01-29-2011, 10:28 AM	#8
artobest Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Swansea, Wales Posts: 455	Your Minolta is a good scanner - comparable or even better than similarly specced Nikon scanners, especially in its colour reproduction. I suggest you start with it, and if you find it too slow then look at either a second-hand later-model Konica Minolta, a new Plustek film scanner or perhaps an Epson V700/V750 flatbed (and learn how to use them thoroughly - there's nothing worse than having to redo old scans as you travel up the learning curve!).