I am interested in acquiring a slide scanner to scan a large collection of old 35mm stereo slides. I have used the Polaroid Sprintscan 35LE, so I know that would work. does anyone know of other slide scanners that would allow me to scan these rectangular slides (they have 2 pieces of film, I only need to scan one). I need to spend less than $1000. T

-- Rosemary Nelson (1rnelson@gte.net), December 08, 1999

Answers

Rosemary, The Hewlett-Packard S20 film scanner does does a pretty good job with slides, negatives, and also scans prints up 5 X 7. I am a photographer and have used this scanner for months now. It costs only $500. It works only on PC's with USB, I think. Also, look for the magazine PC Photo Digital Camera & Photo Buyers Guide 2000, November issue,(on the newsstands till Dec 20) for a review of film scanners, a few of them under $1000, all of which, except for the S20, will work with Mac and PC's. If you can spend a little more money a mail order computer graphics store called Publishing Perfection (800 827 7621) has Nikon factory refurbished Nikon LS-2000's for $1200, maybe the best film scanner made. I don't know if this will help in your case but, maybe. Good Luck Michael

-- Michael Bartley (daimon@ earthlink.net), December 09, 1999.

Rosemary's problem may be that the slides are mounted in 101x41mm cardboard mounts. If she doesn't mind taking them out of the mounts, then any 35mm film scanner will do the job, because the usual stereo image on 35mm film is smaller than the usual size.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), December 09, 1999.

Rosemary
I absolutely love my Photosmart s20, but a word of caution. It's focus is highly dependent upon the slide mount being the standard mount found on commercially processed standard slides.
It may work for you - but you should try it out first!
If you like - grab an old slide you don't care about any more and send it to me. I will be very happy to try scanning it and emailing you the result so you can judge for yourself.

send to
Dan Desjardins
6426 Hubbard Ave
Middleton, WI 53562


Des

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), December 10, 1999.

Microtek has several scanners with slide-scan options, in different price ranges. I do not know if they would scan the type of slides you mention but before you buy you may wish to include Microtek in your research. I have a ScanMaker X6EL which performs well however I have not scanned large amounts of slides with it, which may be a bit of a hassle as the Lightlid is a device that needs manual positioning. They have bigger and more professional scanners for slides though I believe.

-- George (george.spark@usa.net), December 14, 1999.