# Converting old slides to pictures and/or jpegs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 13, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853 "2003-02-13T16:21:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/1 "2003-02-13T16:21:20Z")
Hi all, My dad has a collection of slides from back when he was stationed in Europe in the military during the late 60s. These are one of his most prized possessions, and I was hoping to convert them to a more useable format, such as photographs for maybe electronic files. I’m not too sure what kind of slides that are exacltly… maybe 35mm? I know they fit on those circular carousels… Anyway, I’m looking for any feedback regarding what my options are to convert these. I believe I can get an adaptor for a computer scanner, but he has around 500 of them which I believe would have to be scanned individually? Does anyone know how much it might cost to have a lab convert them, or of any easier/cheaper way to get this done? Thanks, ``` Joe ``` ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/2 "2003-02-13T16:34:14Z")
The best answer may depens on the resolution you want from them. Do you want to print 11x14 or just display them on a TV or computer screen? Good scanners are costly but HP makes one for less than $400 though I can’t vouch for the quality. I’m looking for a mid solution myself so may get a slide copying attachment for my digital camera. I’ve got a Minolta Dimage 7 which has 5mp resolution but will need an additional closeup lens to do slides as the built in macro capability isn’t quite enough to fill the camera’s view with a 24x36mm film frame. I thought I had a link for a slide copy attachment but it may be at home. I’ll probably just build a mount for an existing Nikon slide copy attachment I already have. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/3 "2003-02-13T16:39:18Z")
I get my slides developed, mounted, printed and scanned onto a CD for about 12 pounds (18 dollars) from a lab on Guernesey ([7day.com](http://7day.com)). I’m sure there’d be a similarly priced US lab. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/4 "2003-02-13T16:42:45Z")
The above price is for a roll of 36. If you really want them all, buying your own scanner might be more economical, but I would suggest just choosing the best 150 or so. ---
**Author:** ![micco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f8ce5/32.png) [@micco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/micco)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/5 "2003-02-13T16:51:09Z")
You can buy slide-scanner attachments for flatbed scanners. These are basically just a light source which replaces the scanner lid and provides backlight through the slide. I’ve been very successful scanning slides with a homemade backlight: incandescent desk lamp with a couple of sheets of white paper taped over the shade to provide a diffuser, positioned a few inches above a group of slides on the scanner, scanned at as high a resolution as possible. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/6 "2003-02-13T18:04:47Z")
I have a HP PhotoSmart scanner that does a fine job on slide, 35mm negative strips, and prints up to 5"x7". Mine’s Scuzzy, but the newer models are USB. You want about 2400 PPI actual resolution for 35mm slides. ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/7 "2003-02-13T19:12:37Z")
Thanks, all for the replies. GaryM - do you scan many slides at once, or one at a time? Thanks, ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/8 "2003-02-13T19:12:39Z")
Thanks, all for the replies. GaryM - do you scan many slides at once, or one at a time? Thanks, ``` Joe ``` ---
**Author:** ![prisoner6655321](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f8ce5/32.png) [@prisoner6655321](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prisoner6655321)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-old-slides-to-pictures-and-or-jpegs/154853/9 "2003-02-14T06:08:12Z")
There are two great Microtek scanners.[I bought this one last year.](http://www.microtekusa.com/sm4800.html) Make sure you get the slide attachment. [I bought this one this year because I wanted to scan my medium format film.](http://www.microtekusa.com/sm5900.html) This one has a 4"x5" built in slide attachment in the lid. The second one is about $180. The first one you can get for about $100. The resolution for the second one is better. Very good for the price. You can’t beat the Microtek scanning software, for scanning software anyway.