How To Scan Slides

What Is A Digital Image?

Simply defined, a digital image is any image taken from a computer, scanner, or digital camera. Digital cameras create these images using a CCD chip, which is composed of many small light sensitive cells arranged to divide the pictures into rows and columns of smaller sub areas, and scanners function almost the same way. Slide scanners contain one row of light sensitive cells, and a motor that moves the row down the slide, creating columns that form the total image grid.

Why Is It Better To Scan Slides As Opposed To Scanning Prints?

Scanning film and film slides, generally speaking, produces higher quality images than simply scanning prints. The main reason for this is because scanning the film or slide is, in a sense, using the original image to make a copy. An already developed print is more like a second generation copy, which will in turn produce a third generation copy once it is scanned.

Film also contains greater detail and contrast, since most film is capable of at least 3000 dpi, compared to 300 dpi for color photo paper. A film scanner allows for enough quality image pixels to be scanned, as opposed to a standard type of scanner, and thus can produce more detailed, higher quality images, particularly when it comes to creating larger sized prints.

Scanning Slides

When it comes to your precious memories, it makes sense to trust a professional slide scanning service, but there may be times when you want to scan some of your slides on your own, and if so, here are some tips to help you ensure optimal results:

Plan your time accordingly - This should include setup and organization time, time needed to perfect your scanning procedure, as well as the actual time it takes to do the scanning. It takes about 3-5 minutes to scan each slide.
Pick a scanner - See our page on how to select a slide scanner for more information.
Pick your resolution - Scanning services offer resolutions ranging from 2000 - 4000 dpi for slides. Which one is right for you?
- 3000 dpi will give you the best quality for many of your projects. It gives you the option of printing your original photo at 8x12, and as large as 20x30.
- 4000 dpi can actually be too high a resolution, as it starts to pull the grain off the image being scanned. This resolution is usually only used by professional photographers who want to manipulate their images in a graphics editing program.
Scan the right side - Slides have two sides, and it can be confusing which side to load into the scanner. Try organizing your slides in the correct orientation in Step 1 to cut down on mistakes.
Use batch scan mode - If you have a large project, use the scanner's batch scan mode to scan slides without having to individually name each of them.
Clean the slides - Use ONLY compressed dry air to blow away dust and grit. You can also buy special film cleaner to remove build-up on your slides.
Select scanner settings - These are standard settings for simply scanning and archiving your slides.
- 3000 dpi resolution
- Uncompressed JPEG file type
- Enable Kodak Digital ICE
- Crop your pictures before the final scan
Scanner focus - Allow your scanner to completely focus before starting your scan.
Click Scan!

NOTE: Keep in mind that slide scanning is an often complicated process and that it may take a few attempts before you are able to achieve optimal results.