Please comment briefly on your film to digital conversion workflow.

Editor  |  Jan 11, 2007

Please comment briefly on your film to digital conversion workflow.
I have a scanner and handle it myself.
85% (267 votes)
I have a lab or service bureau handle it for me.
3% (9 votes)
I still have “traditional” prints made from film and have yet to consider or think about how to convert them to digital form.
12% (37 votes)
Total votes: 313
Editor

COMMENTS
Susannah Sofaer Kramer's picture
Submitted by Susannah Sofaer... (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

It's wonderful being able to scan some previously unprintable slides and negs and be able to rescue them in Photoshop. Especially the B&W's.

Cathy Wester's picture
Submitted by Cathy Wester (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

Leica M6, Kodak 100 slide film, tripod, cable, (Leica signature gets lost in digital translation. Any suggestions?) Nikon IV film scanner, Photoshop CS2, Epson R2400

Charlie C.'s picture
Submitted by Charlie C. (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

I find it rrelatively easy to scan and go directly to Photoshop for any of my slides or negatives (even old glass plates). And it is very satisfying to be able to say I did it myself.

David W. Bailey's picture
Submitted by David W. Bailey (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

I have just started to scan my color, B&W, Negs and Chromes. I have a Nikon 5000 cool scan and Epson 4490 for Medium format. Now I have to scan 1000's about 35 years worth of stuff, I hope it works for the retirement plan.

Lou Podesta's picture
Submitted by Lou Podesta (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

I scan my slides into my computer & I store them on CD's &/or a zip drive. The more types of media one can store their images on the the less risk of loss is involved.

Dinu's picture
Submitted by Dinu (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

I am using a Nikon Super Coolscan LS4000 that I bought on e-Bay to scan my 35mm slides and film. It works just fine for me. I am using a Nikon D200 most of the time lately but I enjoy working with slides or negatives from time to time.

Russ Sleyster's picture
Submitted by Russ Sleyster (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

Slower but the two film scanners paid for themselves.

Ed Elster's picture
Submitted by Ed Elster (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

Cost for conversion would make it impractical to use a lab. Also prefer to have more control.

Jim Sanders's picture
Submitted by Jim Sanders (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

I like the control I have doing my own scanning.

Dale Hazard's picture
Submitted by Dale Hazard (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

Although my Konica-Minolta Dimage Scan Dual IV is no longer manufactured, it does an excellent job of scanning 35mm negs & slides. The biggest problem is that, even after extensive cleaning of the film to remove dust & fingerprints, the scanner picks every minute speck and scratch. It seems like every picture needs extensive photo restoration to clean up all the imperfections on the film picked up by the scanner. Thank God for Photoshop and the healing brush.

Chris's picture
Submitted by Chris (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

Print singles and scan 5 at a time and making sure to label properly at that time.

Bev Pettit's picture
Submitted by Bev Pettit (not verified) on June 5, 2011 - 4:30pm

I have the Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400II scanner. I scan slides and negatives as high resolution files (jpeg or tiff). I keep them on a separate hard disk until I am ready to print them. I use Photoshop to edit or touch them up. Then I print with the Epson 2400 ink jet printer.

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