My friend Mitch has a scanner and he offered it to me to scan my slides. Now Mitch bought the scanner a few years ago and never used it. He said I could figure out how to use it and tell him what to do.
Well, first with the scanner you have to load the program and drivers from a disk. So click icon the scanner icon and we should be in business. You guessed it. I got messages that the camera couldn't be found. I uninstalled and installed again and nothing happened. I looked for help on the Internet. It sounded pretty bleak.
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| The miserable beast! |
Well, my number one plan when dealing with stress...leave it for a while.
A few days ago I was looking in the "all programs" on the left of the computer screen and I saw "image scan tool". I thought, "What is this? Could it be the scanner?" So click and yes the page came up that gave me the scanner and processing the slides. Wow! What blundering luck!
I scanned one photo and the thing went dead. Several more attempts and the scanner dies. Aha, this thing needs more power so I unplugged the web cam. Now the scanner stays on and I can follow the page the find out what to do.
There's a manual, but it tells very little . Once I discovered some things by trial and error , I went back to the manual and things made sense. The manual doesn't help as far as instructions are concerned.
I scanned some slides . The product was terrible. I would not keep anything so poor. So I still have more to do. I have to find out how the calibration of the image tool works.
So I've been having a rather poor conversation with a scanner. I've learned some things. I think one has to buy a much better quality scanner if you want acceptable results.
How have you found scanners? Frustrating? Awesome?
Way outa my technical skill zone, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteIt's out of my technical ability too by I'm stubborn.
DeleteAwesome! You should be able to find directions online. I have not tried to scan slides, a fellow at the museum did and they came out great...he said he had a slide holder....perhaps you just need to tweak your system! :)
ReplyDeleteI've checked on line with this but there's no help. the manual is useless.
DeleteI have never used a scanner that puts slides on a computer. I have a scanner that scans photos and then transfers them to the computer. I purchased a wireless on and it took me a while to figure out where it was putting the pictures at first but I figured it out and now I love it
ReplyDeleteGood regular scanners do a good job on photos.
DeleteWe are on our second printer/copier/scanner but we have only scanned photos and documents, not slides. I don't think it has the capability.When Tom wanted old slides processed, he took them to Costco and had them put on a cd.
ReplyDeleteI think I should try the Costco plan.
DeleteThe quality should be excellent. The settings will need to be or should be at least 220dpi, turn off auto dust and scratch removal and save with TIFF or PNG file extensions. Don't save as JPEG. They will be much bigger files than you are probably used to dealing with. When you have done a few hundred pop them in a folder and move them to an external drive.
ReplyDeleteHave fun.
Thanks for the advice. I did notice dust and crap on these slides but I don't see anything to turn off dust and scratch. They turn out with a blue tinge. I had good depth of field on these slides but the scanner doesn't pick that up.
DeleteNot a techie, I would have to have someone show me
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly an option. that's what Mitch is doing by giving me his scanner.
DeleteMy printer has a scanner built in, and yes it was hard to figure out at first, but I use it regularly now. The product is pretty good, but it doesn't do slides. I've got a lot of those and learned they will do them for me at Costco. I haven't been there yet, though.
ReplyDeleteMost printers are a combination today and do an excellent job. Slides are another thing.
DeleteWe have a scanner, and I've used it a few times. Very handy for certain things. And I especially love using it for old photos. I keep saying I'll scan my favourite old images, but haven't gotten around to it.
ReplyDeleteScanners are great for photos but very few of them are equipped for slides.
Deletehaven't used them for slides. i've used them to scan documents and photos, though.
ReplyDeleteSlides need a special attachment to scan them.
DeleteI have an Epson color copy machine with a scanner on it and i haven't had any problems. I have no idea how to scan color slides.
ReplyDeleteFor slides you need a special attachment.
DeleteI have a little gizmo called a Wolverine F2D Super that I got from Costco thre their online part of the store. It is a little stand-alone scanner for just slides, although it will do a couple of other negative sizes, too. It DOES NOT require a computer to be connected to work, it is self contained and is VERY simple to use. It records the images on an SD card that you use to load the images on your computer.
ReplyDeleteIt was less than $100 USD, and if you have a lot of slides to scan, it works a lot quicker than a scanner.
Their web site is: www.wolverinedata.com
Thanks for the info. that sounds like a good idea. Thanks for visiting Hiawatha House.
DeleteI have one but rarely use it. It would be a good idea to scan my photos - but in all likelihood, I won't. Best of luck with this one!
ReplyDeleteScanning slides takes a lot of time. My grand daughter is being paid by her mother to scan slides.
DeleteScanners are practical and extremely useful in this house-hold. Ours is a Canon and is very capable of scanning slides, photos, documents, credit cards, passports etc.
ReplyDeleteAs for the software that came with the scanner. It is very likely dated and you'll find up-to-date drivers and applications on the manufactures web site.
I've looked at this site and haven't noticed up dates. i'll have to take another look.
DeleteOh you have lots of helpful suggestions here. Yes, the quality should be good but I've never had one capable of scanning slides. If all else fails, get that neighbour kidlet who knows so much about computers.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding an awful lot of young adults are very savvy these days.
DeleteI always feel so bad with you when things go wrong, but you tell such wonderful stories! I upgraded my computer and lost the driver. It's taken 3 weeks to find it on line. I can laugh with you today! We're going down to 6 C. today. Another thing in common! COLD!
ReplyDeleteWe had minus 5 last night so covered or not it was a killing frost. I had picked tomatoes so no harm done.
DeleteI have a CanoScan 5600F which is a flatbed. It was easy to install, although since I did it years ago I do not remember the process. It also came with a plastic frame for scanning slides. I like it very much and feel it does a good job. I scan paper contracts, photos, and even actual flowers. It was not cheap and I think you get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteK.C.D it sounds more easier what he writes then what you have to go though.
ReplyDeleteI scan pictures and documents. You make me laugh. . I come over here and between you and Mad snapper.
I get my fill of tummy jello laughs.
Have you had a hard time reaching me Red to get on my blog.
I changed my blog site. And oh my. Don't ask.
Here is my click if you ever want to comment on my page. I miss your comments but your pretty busy these days I see..
http://carolann100-havealook.blogspot.ca/
you can get to my blog and comment.
Everything seems to be so simple but in my case. I did not know that I had to tell people my change over and tell them to delete the old.
So on you comment here. I still have to figure how to x that out.
My days have been so long and irritating like yours.
Is this what the golden years are about.
Oh My.
I have a Canon scanner (not at my desk right now and of course I forget the model) that cost something like $350 and does a surprisingly good job on slides! It will do four at a time which isn't bad. I have used it in my graphic design work and it does a good job! GOod luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteI've had very good results with several thousand so far. I'd persevere and I'm sure you'll be very happy.
ReplyDeleteI have an Epson Perfection V500 Photo that is a few years old now, but has worked quite well for me. I bought it online. I've scanned a gazillion photos and almost as many slides. Trouble is... I've got more slides to scan, but I've lost the momentum and I think I forgot how. Still, I love having all our family pictures now at my computer fingertips.
ReplyDelete