Scanners for slides and films. Choosing a slide scanner

Film and slide scanners are available on the market in a wide variety of types and models. Products of well-known brands have significant differences, but at the same time, each manufacturer uses advanced scanning technologies in their devices. With a significant difference in the optional set, almost all slide scanners have high performance indicators, so it is difficult to compare them with each other. The choice of a particular scanner depends on the specific needs of the user - the type / format of scanned media, optical density, resolution, speed and other parameters.

Film Scanners: what is it and why is it needed?

Slide scanner - equipment for digitizing transparent media: negatives, slides, films. The devices have a wide range of functions - from removing defects in the original to posting scans on Internet resources. As a rule, slide, photo and film scanners are used for professional purposes - in photo studios, architectural and design offices, medical institutions (for processing x-ray images).

The most common equipment for digitizing transparent media are 35 mm film and small slide scanners. To scan large-format originals, flatbed scanners with a built-in or optional slide module are used. Such equipment is more versatile - it can be used to scan transparent media, as well as photographs and ordinary office (text / graphic) documentation.

Features of slide scanners

Film scanners use CCD sensors suitable for high-quality digitizing of both flat and bulk media. Another advantage of the equipment is high optical density (3DMax and higher). Devices with such indicators reproduce high-quality images with smooth transitions of colors and halftones.

Slide scanners and specialized flatbed scanners from well-known brands are equipped with built-in hardware. For example, Kodak's DigitalICE software or Epson's DustRemoval feature removes dust, scratches, grain, and other imperfections by processing media in the infrared.

Many Epson scanners use ReadyScanLED technology - by replacing obsolete fluorescent lamps with LED light sources, the devices do not need warm-up time (preparation for work takes less than 1 second), and energy savings reach 40%. In addition, the LED lamp eliminates heating and deformation of the scanned originals.

Overview of film scanners

Each of the popular models has its own characteristics. An overview of the main features will help you make the right choice depending on the needs of a particular business.

Epson Perfection V 370photo 85 - A4 flatbed scanner for digitizing films, photos, paper documents, 3D objects. Most image correction operations are performed automatically - for example, the firmware automatically aligns the edges of the media. Thanks to high resolution, the functions of removing defects and restoring color saturation, it is possible to obtain high-quality and clear scans from both film and paper media.

Epson Perfection V 550 Photo- A4 tablet device for processing films, photos and documents with the option of sending / placing scans on network resources (websites, cloud storage, social networks). Thanks to the high resolution and optical density (3.4 DMax), the scanner accurately reproduces the slightest color shades. The flaws of the original are eliminated using Digital ICE technology. Options for editing the background and restoring color allow you to "revive" old photos without additional hardware settings.

Epson Perfection V600- A4 flatbed scanner capable of working with photo, paper, small format (35 mm) and medium format films / slides. Among the useful functions of the equipment are automatic alignment of the original, background correction, color restoration, and elimination of defects. The high quality of scans is ensured by excellent resolution and good optical density of 3.4 DMax.

Epson Perfection V700– a professional A4 flatbed scanner for digitizing film media of all major formats, photographs and text documents. The equipment uses a system of two lenses (Dual Lens System), thanks to which the optical density index reaches 4 DMax. Elimination of defects of the original is carried out using the DustRemoval and DigitalICE programs. The scanner package includes a wide range of devices for working with film media - limiters and holders of various formats.

HP Scanjet G 4010- A4 flatbed scanner with a built-in module for processing transparent media. The device is capable of solving a wide range of tasks - from digitizing small-format films to paper documents. Thanks to high resolution and unique 6-color scanning technology (96 bit), the color accuracy of finished scans is increased by 40% compared to other equipment of a similar class. Clarification of small details, removal of imperfections of the original and red-eye effect is performed using HP Real Life technology.

Plustek Optic Film 8100 is a professional slide scanner with a high optical density of 3.6 D, designed for digitizing small format film originals. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the device takes up a minimum of space on the desktop, and for easy portability, the scanner comes with a bag-case. SilverFast NegaFix converts negatives into scans with excellent color characteristics. The Multi-Exposure function allows you to maximize the detail of the shadowed areas of the image.

Plustek OpticFilm 8200iSE- the optimal equipment for scanning film media, designed for professionals in the field of photography and design. Precise optical system with a dynamic range of 3.6 D eliminates the slightest difference in edge contrast. Convenient hardware technologies allow you to detail images, eliminate flaws in originals, and selectively change colors.

Plustek OpticFilm 8200i AI is a slide scanner for anyone who has professional requirements for digitizing slides/films and photo enlargement. The device has all the advantages of Plustek film scanners - high resolution and optical density, detailing and infrared defect removal functions. The machine comes with an Auto IT8 slide template for quick equipment calibration.

Each manufacturer positions their own slide scanners as the best devices in their class. All devices really have a lot of useful options for high-quality digitization of film media. The user only needs to study the parameters of the models and select equipment to solve specific business problems.

At OfiTrade, you can buy slide scanners for 35 mm films and other media formats, as well as flatbed devices with a slide module. If you are at a loss with the choice, our experts will select the equipment with optimal characteristics.

You can order a slide scanner through the shopping cart on the site. To consult with a specialist, call 8 (495) 215-13-15 or request a call back.

Photos from open sources

There are many models on the market: professional and amateur. Flatbed document scanners with a holder for digitizing photographic films are common. But if quality comes first, you don’t want to spend several thousand dollars. e. - the Plustek OpticFilm 8200i SE slide scanner will be an excellent solution. Let's find out how good he is.

The OpticFilm 8200i SE succeeded the best-selling OpticFilm 7600i SE and quickly surpassed the glory of its predecessor. The model has been produced for several years, while the manufacturer does not plan to curtail production. During this time, the design has been improved: backlashes of the buttons have been eliminated, the build quality has improved, more flexible and convenient software has been released. The 2017 models are equipped with an improved backlight system (LED), an updated hardware that speeds up and improves the quality of photo processing.

Main advantages

The first thing to note is the full frame CCD sensor. The sensor is paired with professional glass optics – no plastic. The manufacturer has taken care of a good hardware base. The matrix scans images at a true 7200 dpi resolution, no interpolation, you get pure megapixels, excellent detail. The professional sensor captures well even the dark parts, excellently captures the slightest differences in contrast.

Neutral white LED backlighting improves color reproduction and ensures natural colors.

The slide scanner received a built-in IR channel. iSRD (Infrared Smart Removal of Defect) technology allows you to eliminate up to 99% of small, up to 90% of large defects at the hardware level: scratches, adhering dust particles, lint, cracks. Unlike software enhancement, there is no trace of artifacts.

Additional features implemented in hardware:

Multi-Exposure (multi-exposure) - equalization of the dynamic range, allows you to achieve natural color reproduction in overexposed or shaded areas;

SilverFast NegaFix - digitizing negatives with automatic conversion to a positive image, 120 profiles are provided to improve color reproduction;

SilverFast SCC - selective color correction for maximum naturalness of the image;

ACR - color restoration on old faded films.

Note! The scanner uses the HDRi calibration system (calibration templates included), which allows you to achieve incredible color accuracy and get simply gorgeous photos.

The kit comes with professional software for saving and post-processing scanned images - SilverFast 8.0. Compared to previous versions, the software has become more flexible, easier for beginners, and has the ability to quickly upload to social networks. The WorkflowPilot virtual assistant will set the necessary settings for you and allow you to scan photos in two clicks.

The last advantage is the price. With the ability to capture images with enhanced clarity and resolution up to 50 megapixels, with excellent detail in dark areas, the cost of the device is just over $400. Whereas the prices for professional devices from competitors with comparable characteristics exceed 1500-2000 dollars.

Considering the excellent scanning quality and the ridiculous price for professional devices, we can confidently say that the OpticFilm 7600i SE is an ideal option for beginner photographers, serious studios, photo labs. Yes, there are drawbacks: manual frame advance, relatively flimsy plastic, slightly dangling buttons, a little confusing software that is difficult for a beginner to understand. But this does not spoil the impression of gorgeous, as if coming to life on the screen, photographs, relatively high scanning speed.

A slide scanner is widely used in 101 Benefit studio when you need to digitize a small amount of material: from a few frames to two three-films.

For mass digitization, when we are faced with the task of processing dozens of films, as well as for scanning heavily damaged films, we use industrial drum scanners. Heavily scratched slides are scanned by immersion in a special emulsion that fills cracks and eliminates more than 95% of defects.

I digitized my photo archive (about 3000 frames). I am satisfied with the purchase. Do you need it, decide for yourself. Samples of digitized frames and description - under the cut.
I bought my first digital camera in 1994-2004. By that time, a considerable number of photographic films had accumulated, prints from which were made and placed in photo albums. I didn’t have a clear idea why I should keep old photographic films, and from time to time, during the next general cleaning, a non-illusory threat of being thrown out hung over them. When I got acquainted with Chinese online stores, I paid attention to the so-called film scanners, but in fact devices for their digitization. But the reviews about the quality of their work were unflattering, so I did not dare to buy them. And then by chance on the Amazon website I came across another such scanner with an obscenely low price - about $ 35. Reviews on the same site about his work were not bad. On Amazon, delivery to Ukraine is either not available at all, or it is expensive, and I began to look for this product somewhere else. And found the site The site looked very suspicious. Judge for yourself - the site is a year old, no contact information, not even e-mail. You can write to them only through the form on the site. No customer reviews. It is not clear in which country the seller is located. I found online that the site is registered with a domain name registrar. And then I dug out that the seller himself is in Hong Kong. The only soothing moment was payment through PayPal. That is a small risk. And I made up my mind. After payment, 5 days have passed, and the status of my purchase, as it was, remained - paid. I wrote to them through the site, and received a response that my package had been sent for 2 days, and the track number was also provided.

Delivery took as usual - about 3 weeks. Packaging is decent.



Inside the package is the scanner itself


holder for 35 mm film

slide holder


software disk


and brush for cleaning the lens of the device


The disk automatically starts and offers to install the ImageImpression program, with the help of which the digitization actually takes place. I used it under Windows XP.
The program has a Russian interface. The result can be saved in TIFF or JPG formats, and for the latter there are several gradations of compression ratio.
Claimed resolution is 1800 dpi. 3600 dpi is already interpolation.


Actually digitization occurs as follows. A piece of film (up to 6 frames) is placed in the holder, and then the whole thing is inserted into the side hole of the device.






The program analyzes the color and brightness balance of the frame and sets the optimal settings according to its own understanding. There are no manual settings.


We click on the "Capture" button and move the holder to the next frame.
Examples of digitized frames.

The quality, as you can see, is so-so. Suitable for viewing on a monitor screen, but not for printing.
However, I am happy with the purchase. She fully met my expectations. Nothing else can be demanded from a device of this class. She solved the task set by me - to digitize the old photo archive. Considering that he was filmed mainly on soap dishes, that the films were scratched in places, I didn’t really need a better quality.
By the way, the ImageImpression program has two useful one-button enhancements, one of which visually improves lighting, and the second one removes noise.

The advantages of the device, I attribute:
-price
- speed of work. It was 3 frames per minute for me.

By cons:
- no possibility of manual digitization settings.
- lack of a device for scanning uncut film.

You have to cut 6 frames. The vast majority of my films were already cut in photo labs. The rest I adapted to cut with the help of my own invented "device", which I share with you free of charge. Choose a book of the right size so that the height of the pages is approximately the length of 6 frames of film. Then insert the film between the pages and cut. Now you do not need to count 6 frames, and the cut fragments will lie neatly between the pages of the book.

Device characteristics declared by the seller:

Sensor: 1/3.2" 5.15 megapixel CMOS
Optics: Fix Focus Lens F/NO= 2.8/f= 4.76mm
Color balance: Automatic
Brightness: Automatic
Resolution: 1800dpi 2592 x 1728 pixels(3:2)
Interface: USB 2.0
Power supply: from USB port
Light source: 3 LEDs
Operating systems: Support Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7/Mac10.5 above
Dimensions: 8.1x10.6x10cm