This simple method is perfect for digitizing large numbers of photographic transparencies hidden away in cupboards. Digitizing old slides allows sharing precious family memories via CDs, email or online photo albums. Put any high quality classic shots to one side for more serious digitizing.
This process uses a device to hold the slide close to the camera, so it fills the image frame of the camera, while a digital camera takes a new photo. The quality will vary depending upon the camera and the lenses used. Professional drum scanners offer the best quality, while this method’s main advantages are speed and convenience.
Alternative methods
- Specialist professional photography laboratory slide copying using a drum scanner
- Buy or hire a dedicated professional slide and film scanner from a photo shop
- Flat bed scanner with a film and slide facility
Each option represents a compromise between quality, cost, and convenience. Professional scanning of transparencies is common for high quality images for glossy magazines.
Slide duplication using SLR film cameras using special attachments has long been a common practice before digital sensors arrived on the scene. This is an update of the method to digitize photographic slides using a digital camera
The simple apparatus shown in figure one does the basic jobs necessary for the process and has a number features making the operating simpler. Firstly, this particular duplicator includes a close up lens so when combined with the cameras lens the slide comes within the focus range of most ordinary lenses.
The duplicator mounts onto the front of the existing lens using the screw thread on the lens intended for screw-in filters, so there are no modifications required to mount the duplicator on the camera. If the duplicator is the wrong size for the screw thread on the front of the lens there are step up and down adaptor rings available.
Main Requirements
To hold the slide still, with a quick-change mechanism so slides are easily loaded without the need to refocus the camera.
Light Source
A bright and diffuse light for even slide illumination, this slide duplicator has a translucent white plastic panel acting as the light diffuser. A reading lamp provides a quick and easy light source, and from close range, provides enough light. With a digital camera, the color temperature of the light is not critical as digital cameras usually have settings for a number of different types of light source.
Image quality
This can vary greatly depending upon the camera and the lens. While this device works with common lenses, photographers can improve the image quality by unscrewing the close up lens adaptor and using a proper macro lens. Focusing is critical and to ensure all the transparency is in focus it is important it be held steady and perpendicular to the camera lens.
The image quality of old slides depending on the skill of the photographer at the time. It may come as a nasty shock to some to find out how much their photography has improved over the years. However, this does not devalue the priceless memories of people, places, and events contained in the images.
There is more information on simple slide duplicators here
Join the Conversation