Convert Slides to Digital | Slide Scanning

Few things are more cherished than your old 35mm slides and negatives. But did you know that your older slides are at risk of being damaged by fungal stains caused by dust and/or exposure?

These days, you can solve this problem quickly – simply convert slides to digital images, which will help you protect, store and share much them much easier as well!

We’ve All Faced This

Who hasn’t pulled out old 35mm slides and/or color photos and stared at the “fuzziness” of age? We all have, which is why it’s so important to digitize your slides as soon as possible.  You’ll immediately realize several benefits in doing so:

• You’ll be able to share the old photos online, through email or social networks like FaceBook.
• You can make as many backup copies as you want, and store them in safe places.
• Digital images are not prone to dust and heat, and will not deteriorate over time.

The Solution is Simple

These days, you can easily convert slides to digital right in your own home. While you can hire a more expensive slide conversion or slide scanning service, this do-it-yourself project can be accomplished with both cheap scanners and full-blown automated slide and negative scanners hooked to a PC.

A slide scanner or negative scanner (usually combined into one integrated unit), are easy to operate and typically function similar to a computer scanner. The 35mm slide or photo negative is inserted into the scanner, digitized as part of the slide conversion process, and saved much like a digital photo from a digital camera.

Cheap scanners do not typically come with software. You simply insert the slide into the 35mm scanner, and save the ditigized file.  Automated slide and negative scanners – which are more expensive, typically include software, and must be hooked up to a PC. The larger models also give you the option of adding an auto-feeder (although nearly all feeders tend to jam, due to the difference in thickness of the slide jackets (paper, plastic, etc.).

Also, for the larger slide scanner or negative scanner, you should note that it may take you a little time initially to understand and tweak the software settings to your personal preference. The time spent is usually worth the effort in the long run.

The Decision (and Process) Is Much Easier These Days

However you decide to convert slides to digital images is up to you. Many individual enjoy looking at the images again during the conversion process. Plus it allows them an opportunity to use the software to touch up fading images, restoring them to near-original quality.

Other simply want the job done as quickly as possible, and will certainly want to go with an auto-feeder, or have the job done professionally.

Regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself on, everyone has the same need – to enjoy in today’s digitized society, and to save the cherished memories for future generations.

The good news is that today’s technology, you can convert slides to ditial images quickly and typically at good-to-great quality.