| There are many 35mm slides tucked away in | | | | time required to convert slides and the poor |
| closets, attics, basements, and drawers. Their | | | | quality of some of the digital pictures. |
| owners may have inherited the slides from | | | | You can also use a slide scanner to convert slides. |
| relatives or friends. Or they may have gone to | | | | Scanners come in a variety of styles and prices. |
| the trouble thirty or forty years ago to have | | | | A high quality scanner can cost thousands of |
| their vacations and family events preserved on | | | | dollars. There are some less expensive models, |
| slides. Very few people watch | | | | but you may not be pleased with the digital |
| “old-fashioned” slide shows today. Slide | | | | images produced by these scanners. You will not |
| projectors have become outdated, many are | | | | be able to print your digital images with the |
| broken, and most people don’t have the time | | | | lower-end scanners. If you want to convert slides |
| to set up a slide projector and view their old | | | | without worrying about the dust that inevitably |
| slides. | | | | finds its way to slides, you will need a higher |
| The solution to this dilemma is to convert slides to | | | | priced model that has the capability of covering |
| a digital formal. Old 35mm slides can be converted | | | | the dust for a blemish-free image. |
| to TIFF or JPEG format and stored on CD’s | | | | Although there are several alternatives you can |
| or DVD’s. This allows for convenient viewing | | | | use to convert slides, the most trouble-free way |
| on a computer monitor or television. When you | | | | is to use a professional photography service that |
| convert slides to digital format, the CD’s and | | | | converts slides. You will not need to purchase |
| DVD’s take up little storage space. You can | | | | special equipment or learn to use new software. |
| organize your photographs according to date or | | | | These services have equipment that can enhance |
| subject and find the exact photograph you want | | | | your slide photographs. The resolution of your |
| at any time. You will also be able to email or print | | | | digital images will be higher than what you will be |
| your slide photographs once they are stored on a | | | | able to achieve by taking pictures of your slides |
| CD or DVD. | | | | or using a scanner at home. Dust, scratches, and |
| You can convert slides to digital images yourself. | | | | other marks will be removed from the images. |
| One of the least expensive ways to do this is to | | | | Photograph colors will be adjusted to create |
| take a picture of the slide with a digital camera. | | | | true-to-life images. This is especially important if |
| To hold the camera steady, use a tripod, with the | | | | your slides have faded over time. Professional |
| extension bar pointed towards the floor. Attach | | | | services that convert slides typically guarantee |
| the camera to the extension bar, place the slide | | | | their work. The most reputable services accept |
| light box underneath the camera, place a slide in | | | | payment only after you have received the digital |
| the light box, and take the picture. This method | | | | images and have had time to review them. |
| has several drawbacks, including the amount of | | | | |