Digitalize slides/negatives with a DSLR

[PaulSaute]

I previously used a dedicated slide/negative scanner on my Win7 desktop. The drivers are no longer available for subsequent versions of Windows. After much research, I discovered it is possible to do 'scan' negatives/slides with a DSLR this EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens. I also use it for portrait photos.

 

[Abbott Schindler]

I gave up on scanning slides ages ago; way too time consuming, mostly because I had to process every scan to the tune of many minutes/scan. I had ~14k slides to digitize.

So I gave up on the slide scanner (both a very nice Polaroid SprintScan and a very nice Minolta Dimage) and made my own copy setup using a 5DIV, EF 100L macro, homemade slide holder, and a LumeCube Panel Pro (any good panel would do). It works very well, and I can scan ~100-150 slides/hour with minimal pp needed.

BTW: did you try VueScan before giving up on your scanner? The reasonably prices app supports virtually all scanners I'm aware of...

Here's my holder; just mount it and/or the camera on a macro slide or other positioning mechanism and shoot away...

 

[zerored]

If you still prefer using your scanner check Vuescan as the previous poster suggested. Probably can find a version that supports your scanner. I use a camera.

I put a 5DS camera on a copy stand. I put an old lightbox on the copy stand's board. I use a slide holder from my flatbed scanner, placed on the lightbox. I attach a remote switch to the camera so I don't have to touch the camera for activating the shutter. The lens is a Canon macro dedicated prime (100 fl). Auto focus is activated. Some prefer doing a manual focus. I don't like touching the camera or lens after it is leveled. The lens IS is activated. Some prefer the opposite. Since I prefer using the viewfinder to check focus and not live view, I place a small circle bubble level on the LCD. This helps me level the camera before shooting the slides. I also watch the level's bubble when I press the shutter button on the remote. If the bubble moves (which rarely happens) I do a second shot.

I prefer processing RAW files rather than TIF or JPEGs because RAW is more versatile. That is why I prefer camera to scanner.

Slide cleaning: First I use a camel hair, angled brush that is 3/4 inch wide. I think the art world calls it a shader brush. Next I use a rocket blower.

I also use an old slide viewer to cull which slides to copy. Camera or scanner, making digital copies of slides consumes time.

I set the lens aperture at f11 and ISO at 400. I found little difference between ISO 100 and 400.

For those who wonder why I do the above as described it just my preference and it works for me. Winter is my slide copy time.

 

[neilt3]

If you still prefer using your scanner check Vuescan as the previous poster suggested. Probably can find a version that supports your scanner. I use a camera.

Alternatively set up a "virtual PC" on your current PC running a version that is compatible with the software the OP has .

I put a 5DS camera on a copy stand. I put an old lightbox on the copy stand's board. I use a slide holder from my flatbed scanner, placed on the lightbox. I attach a remote switch to the camera so I don't have to touch the camera for activating the shutter. The lens is a Canon macro dedicated prime (100 fl). Auto focus is activated. Some prefer doing a manual focus. I don't like touching the camera or lens after it is leveled. The lens IS is activated. Some prefer the opposite. Since I prefer using the viewfinder to check focus and not live view, I place a small circle bubble level on the LCD. This helps me level the camera before shooting the slides. I also watch the level's bubble when I press the shutter button on the remote. If the bubble moves (which rarely happens) I do a second shot.

I prefer processing RAW files rather than TIF or JPEGs because RAW is more versatile. That is why I prefer camera to scanner.

Slide cleaning: First I use a camel hair, angled brush that is 3/4 inch wide. I think the art world calls it a shader brush. Next I use a rocket blower.

I also use an old slide viewer to cull which slides to copy. Camera or scanner, making digital copies of slides consumes time.

I set the lens aperture at f11 and ISO at 400. I found little difference between ISO 100 and 400.

For those who wonder why I do the above as described it just my preference and it works for me. Winter is my slide copy time.