DC area scanner for slides?
January 19, 2012 11:43 AM Subscribe
Where in the DC-VA area could we scan a large quantity of slides?
My father was a prolific photographer, and currently my mom is holding on to 6 carousels of slides that we'd really like to get scanned. I could do it easily, but alas, I'm not in the area and she's reluctant to put them in the mail to me. Actually, she's really nervous about trusting anyone with them, and so we're hoping that there's a low-cost option that would allow my sister to do the actual scanning. We just don't have $500 kicking around to purchase a scanner for the job, but could pay for scanner time.
A similar question has been asked here, but that was back in 2005, so I'm not sure the info is still pertinent.
I've said scanner enough times that it's ceased to look like a word.
My father was a prolific photographer, and currently my mom is holding on to 6 carousels of slides that we'd really like to get scanned. I could do it easily, but alas, I'm not in the area and she's reluctant to put them in the mail to me. Actually, she's really nervous about trusting anyone with them, and so we're hoping that there's a low-cost option that would allow my sister to do the actual scanning. We just don't have $500 kicking around to purchase a scanner for the job, but could pay for scanner time.
A similar question has been asked here, but that was back in 2005, so I'm not sure the info is still pertinent.
I've said scanner enough times that it's ceased to look like a word.
Best answer: We have started using ScanCafe. Here is their explanation of why "your memories are safe with us."
She can mail them in and they can send the scans on a DVD to you.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 12:30 PM on January 19, 2012
She can mail them in and they can send the scans on a DVD to you.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 12:30 PM on January 19, 2012
Best answer: I have a flatbed with a slide scanner attachment (Epson 8400 as I recall) that I'll lend her if you're good for it. It's useful every 3 years so I hang onto it, but mostly it takes up space.
It's not the level of quality that a dedicated 35mm scanner will do but I've done a lot of my old 645s on it; it's a pretty good quality and perhaps once she has a backup she'd be comfortable mailing off to ScanCafe.
I'm in Arlington if you want to work out the loan. I am NOT interested in spending time doing training so she needs to be a self-starter if you want to go this way. Me-mail me.
posted by phearlez at 1:10 PM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
It's not the level of quality that a dedicated 35mm scanner will do but I've done a lot of my old 645s on it; it's a pretty good quality and perhaps once she has a backup she'd be comfortable mailing off to ScanCafe.
I'm in Arlington if you want to work out the loan. I am NOT interested in spending time doing training so she needs to be a self-starter if you want to go this way. Me-mail me.
posted by phearlez at 1:10 PM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'll have to agree with using ScanCafe (although I know the question was how to do it yourselves cheaply). I had 4000 slides scanned by them 1.5 years ago. You can look at them online, and reject (and not pay for) up to half of them. They often have discounts you can find on RetailmeNot.com. I've seen discounts up to 30% at times.
posted by ShooBoo at 2:20 PM on January 19, 2012
posted by ShooBoo at 2:20 PM on January 19, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:50 AM on January 19, 2012