Buy A Slide Scanner Or Use A Service?
- Bradley Fitchew
- Mar 10, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 1
DIY Slide Scanning vs Our Professional Service
This page provides a detailed comparison between DIY slide scanning and our specialised professional scanning service, highlighting important aspects not mentioned in scanner advertisements.
Below, we examine factors such as scan quality and the time investment required for different scanning methods. We also explain what makes our service unique and superior in terms of quality and convenience.
Comparing Scan Quality
Consumer scanning machines typically advertise Dots Per Inch (DPI) as the primary indicator of quality. However, true scan quality is governed by several additional factors, including dynamic range, focus accuracy, exposure, and optical quality.
Below, we outline three main categories of scanners, priced between approximately £50 and £3000:
Scanners for the High-End Enthusiast
These scanners usually scan one slide at a time, such as the Nikon Coolscan 5000/8000/9000 series. Some models like the Nikon LS-ED5000 can load multiple slides simultaneously. These were considered top-tier consumer scanners, priced from £1500 to £3000, but Nikon ceased production and support around 2009. While second-hand options are available, caution is advised—see our warnings below.
These scanners typically require between 2 and 5 minutes per slide, depending on settings. Highest-quality scans with multi-pass settings can take over 15 minutes per slide. Pre-scanning each slide for optimal focus and exposure is recommended by the manufacturers. The accompanying software is notoriously complex and prone to crashes, a frustration frequently expressed by users online. Professional scanning services occasionally use these devices, resulting in higher prices due to labour-intensive processes.
Flatbed Scanners (e.g., Epson V Series)
Flatbed slide scanners, priced between £300 and £600, are commonly used by scanning services and seem convenient at first glance. However, they are surprisingly slow, taking around one hour to scan just 12 slides at high quality. Scanning companies often employ multiple scanners simultaneously or use lower resolutions to speed up their workflow.
Despite their claimed DPI ratings of 6400, 7200, or even 9600, tests reveal actual captured detail is significantly lower. For instance, the Epson V750 scanner (£600) claims a DPI of 6400, but practical tests show it captures only about 2300 DPI, roughly equivalent to a 7-megapixel camera. Consequently, much of the detail in 35mm slide film is lost.
Flatbed scanners are multi-purpose, designed for both quick A4 scans and precise slide scans, which often compromises image quality. Additionally, they lack adjustable apertures, variable light intensity, and frequently have fixed focus, causing problems due to variations in slide mount thickness.
Typically, slide scanning services using flatbed scanners will scan with average default settings, correcting differences electronically afterwards. However, electronic adjustments cannot match the quality of properly exposed images. These scanners are inexpensive, allowing multiple machines to increase throughput, but the low-quality results remain a significant compromise.
Other Low-Cost Scanners
Some scanners available for around £50 from reputable retailers might initially seem attractive, but these devices are best described as gadgets or novelty items rather than genuine scanning tools. Reviews consistently highlight poor quality. If you have already used one of these scanners, we strongly recommend sending us a few test slides free of charge for a quality comparison. Alternatively, visit our example scans page to view the exceptional clarity and detail possible with professional equipment and expertise.
Important Considerations for DIY Scanning
For DIY scanning, achieving high-quality results involves considerable research, trial-and-error, and perseverance. You will encounter software compatibility issues (particularly with newer operating systems beyond Windows XP). Post-scanning tasks include cropping frames, rotating images, and correcting colour casts typical of ageing slides, such as blue snow on Kodachrome or red-tinted Agfa slides from the 1960s.
To avoid disappointment after extensive scanning, thorough initial testing is essential. Begin with batches of around ten varied slides and progressively increase batch sizes, following the entire scanning process through to your final intended format (DVD, social media, or printing). Colour calibration tools for your monitor are also highly recommended to ensure accurate print results.
Ideally, compare original slides directly with their scanned versions using a projector. If you find yourself willing to discard the originals after scanning, you have succeeded, although you may choose to keep them for sentimental reasons or as a backup.
Conclusion on DIY Scanning Quality:
High-quality single-slide scanners are expensive per slide and only viable for scanning thousands of slides. The entire process involves hundreds of hours, including scanning and extensive post-processing.
Flatbed scanners yield low-resolution results heavily dependent on post-processing software such as Photoshop. Both scanner types involve complex software and frequent usability and stability problems.
Time Investment and Cost
The scanning process itself is only one part of a much larger task.
Consider a project of 1,000 slides, which we professionally clean, orientate, scan, crop, colour correct, and deliver on DVD for just £255, including postage and a free packing kit.
DIY scanning of the same 1,000 slides would typically involve:
Researching scanners and software, initial experiments, troubleshooting PC problems, and calibrating screens: at least 20 hours
Actual scanning: 33 hours at lower resolution or up to 99 hours at higher resolution
Rotating images, cropping borders, colour correcting, and saving files: approximately 33 hours, assuming prior experience with software like Photoshop
Total DIY project time: approximately 78–144 hours, plus scanner costs.
Even if you offset costs by reselling a scanner or purchasing a second-hand model, caution is crucial. Scanners are mechanical and prone to wear, dust, and damage, leading to potential costly servicing. Beware of sellers claiming minimal use, as these claims are often misleading.
Client Testimonial
“The Slide Converter saved me so much time. Initially, I thought buying my own scanner would save money, but the machine I purchased could scan only a few slides per hour, and I didn’t know how to correct colour issues. The quality from The Slide Converter was far superior. Thanks so much, Daren!”
– Rupert M.
What Makes Our Service Unique?
Our professional scanning service is unique due to our custom-built industrial scanner, designed specifically for slides. It automates cleaning, handling, and scanning processes, scanning up to 1,200 slides per batch at a true 4000 DPI resolution.
The machine adjusts each slide individually for optimal focus, exposure, and white balance, using advanced remote phosphor technology to ensure even light distribution and accurate colour fidelity. Because no mechanical movement occurs during scanning, images are captured precisely in one brief exposure.
Our experts review each scanned image, correcting age-related colour deterioration using specialised profiles developed through extensive experience.
Through automation and expertise, we offer the quality of individually scanned slides without the high cost, often matching or beating services using lower-quality flatbed scanners.
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