Working with digital images

[Ritarun]

I have been asked to convert some 35 mm slides into digital primarily for use on a website. My current scanner does not have the ability to scan 35 slides so I am doing research and looking for what brand/type of scanner to buy so that I can do this. I want to do batches of 100 at a time.  Can anyone offer any suggestions or advice?

I have started doing some research and looking at reviews. Only got so far before overload and sleep took over.  So far I have on my list the Epson4490 or the Epson 4990. Any knowledge of these or recommendation? Suggestions?

I know folks really don't like to give specific advice about what to buy because of all the variables but would like some guidance and comments from folks more experienced than me. Still a newbie at this.

I have only owned HP scanners in the past. Feeling like I could consider some other brands this time out but am a little unsure. Heard Epson scanners were quite good for photo work. Not sure I really understand what this Digtal Ice feature is.

[Deb]

Hi Ritarun! I pulled up a review of the Epson 4990 and it sounds like a dandy print/slide scanner. However, if you have lots of negatives to scan, then you may be better off investing in a dedicated film/slide scanner. (I have one and absolutely love it. Then again, I'm scanning for pro-print quality resolution as well.) With the 4990 you can scan 8 mounted 35mm slides at a time (or four 6-frame strips of 35mm film - 24 frames).

As for Digital ICE, that's a really cool automatic dust/scratch "remover".  A must for many slide/film scans, it repairs the image without negatively (pardon the pun) impacting the quality of the image itself.

[Ritarun]

Update- well I decided to go with the Epson 4990 Pro model. It has arrived and I have been learning how to use it. Will let you know how it goes after I have done a few more scans. The first ones have been really great!

[Deb]

Hi Ritarun. That's exciting news indeed! Thanks for letting us know. Enjoy your new scanner!  

[Ritarun]

Ok- I've been scanning and learning all day. It's been fun and frustrating at the same time!!
I have not been able to figure out what I should be doing  with one of the settings. There is a section where you choose the image type (24 bit color or any other other option), Resolution (I chose 3000 from the drop down list of choices), and TARGET SIZE ( with a drop down of orignal to listing all of the common sizes like 4x6, 5x7, screen, and so on).

Do I want to scan the original size or chose a size? I don't know what sizes I will need after I scan them. Can you give some guidance?

[Deb]

Hi Ritarun, think of resolution at a fixed size as on a sliding scale. If it operates like mine, I think you'll see that as you increase the dimensional size, your resolution option will be reduced. That is, at 100% original size, you'll have the option of a maximum scan resolution of 3000 ppi. However, at 300% original size, you'll only be able to scan at a maximum of 1000 ppi (assuming NO interpolation is taking place). If you don't know what sizes of prints you will be wanting to produce from your scan, scanning at the max resolution at 100% is fine. Once you bring it into your photo editing software, you can change the dimensional size (and you'll see the resolution decrease - sliding scale). You can enlarge the image to a size that compliments the recommended input resolution of your printer. For example, in my case, 300ppi-360ppi for output at 1400 to 2800dpi (which would equate to a 12x18inch print having used a 4000ppi scanner, no interpolation or resampling).

Hope this helps.