Hi All,
I see that there is an opportunity to discuss whether the club should buy a slide scanner. There sure is a need for one, especially as we are trying to get other clubs to accept digital images instead of slides in interclub contests. Converting slides and negatives to digital is not only the way to go for future interclub contests, but also if you have slides that you want to print, and I know that several of the senior club members have extensive slide collections.
Recently we had an opportunity to bid on a Bowens Illumitran Slide Copier on eBay, this copies (one at a time) to a digital camera, slides from 35 mm up to 4x5 inch. It went for 65.00. They come up for auction every now and again
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170187072864&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007.
Perhaps a better way to go is with something more modern - an Epson V700 scanner that will do slides in mounts (12 at a time), film strips, and again all the way up to 4x5 inch negatives and slide film. That has good quality film holders, as well as (ICE) digital dust and scratch removal software. This one is the scanning equivalent to the Epson 2400 printer - top of the line!
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%20V700/page_1.htm (read the reviewer's conclusion on page 18).
This way we can do the conversions in house and have full control of the quality. As Jim mentioned in his email, I also have been looking to purchase a scanner, and have been waiting for the right model and the right price.
Is it possible to get some grant money for this type of equipment, Steve?
Other opinions?
