To scan by myself or not

20Babies · 3 Weeks Ago

I have tons of processed and unprocessed negatives in my house and never had a chance to digitise them.

Now, i have been given an utimatum by my mrs to do so or everything will be bin!

If you are me, do you send to someone who can do it for me at a huge cost or i invest in a good film scanner to do it on my own.

My concern is quality, time and cost.
I need good quality (more than 5MP), not sure if I do it, how long it takes. I know it cost alot as well if the volume is high.

In order for me to make a sound decision, I hope you can provide as much info as possible.

DIY: What is a good film scanner in the market? How much time is needed? Is there much hassle or is it idiot-proof procedure.

Outsource: Who is the best and the cheapest? LOL!!!

Throw in your comments

shaoken · 3 Weeks Ago

You have to compromise in a way or another..

If you send to lab, you will save time but spend more $$$ for high quality scans.
If you D.I.Y, you will save $$ but you will spend time scanning those strips for high resolution scans. On top of that, you'll need to buy a scanner.

RezzShaz · 3 Weeks Ago

send it to the lab....spend a little money....better than the negatives going to the bin, I have a feeling ur Mrs really meant it....

20Babies · 3 Weeks Ago

where do you guys send your negatives to for high def scanning? What would be the cost?

Varex2b · 3 Weeks Ago

Send your MRS to the bin!?

Cheers, Sean.

flipfreak · 3 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by 20Babies

where do you guys send your negatives to for high def scanning? What would be the cost?

i scan my negs myself. not using a top end film scanner. just a epson v500 flatbed. but it is fine with me because i am not doing fine art prints. just some negs that i archive before it turns to mould. i am very happy with my investment. it allows me to scan 120 and 35mm.

kkgoxplore · 2 Weeks Ago

Depending on what is your passion and objective, I would do the scanning myself which I am doing. It makes the whole photography journey more enriching. But you need time and more time. If Mrs has given a deadline and there is no "if" or "but", you will be better off getting the lot done commercially. I think you should talk Mrs around. Do you not have pretty pics of her in those films?

3 Weeks Ago	#1
20Babies Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 128	To scan by myself or not I have tons of processed and unprocessed negatives in my house and never had a chance to digitise them. Now, i have been given an utimatum by my mrs to do so or everything will be bin! If you are me, do you send to someone who can do it for me at a huge cost or i invest in a good film scanner to do it on my own. My concern is quality, time and cost. I need good quality (more than 5MP), not sure if I do it, how long it takes. I know it cost alot as well if the volume is high. In order for me to make a sound decision, I hope you can provide as much info as possible. DIY: What is a good film scanner in the market? How much time is needed? Is there much hassle or is it idiot-proof procedure. Outsource: Who is the best and the cheapest? LOL!!! Throw in your comments

3 Weeks Ago	#2
shaoken Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Clementi/West Coast Posts: 1,343	Re: To scan by myself or not You have to compromise in a way or another.. If you send to lab, you will save time but spend more $$$ for high quality scans. If you D.I.Y, you will save $$ but you will spend time scanning those strips for high resolution scans. On top of that, you'll need to buy a scanner. __________________ Photo Blog\|Modeling Portfolio Olympus User

3 Weeks Ago	#3
RezzShaz Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Posts: 156	Re: To scan by myself or not send it to the lab....spend a little money....better than the negatives going to the bin, I have a feeling ur Mrs really meant it.... __________________ Nikon D700, N24-70 f2.8, N70-200 f2.8

3 Weeks Ago	#4
20Babies Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 128	Re: To scan by myself or not where do you guys send your negatives to for high def scanning? What would be the cost?

3 Weeks Ago	#5
Varex2b Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 122	Re: To scan by myself or not Send your MRS to the bin!? Cheers, Sean.

2 Weeks Ago	#7
kkgoxplore Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: East Posts: 251	Re: To scan by myself or not Depending on what is your passion and objective, I would do the scanning myself which I am doing. It makes the whole photography journey more enriching. But you need time and more time. If Mrs has given a deadline and there is no "if" or "but", you will be better off getting the lot done commercially. I think you should talk Mrs around. Do you not have pretty pics of her in those films? __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkgofootprint