Convert old photo slides to .jpegs using an iMac?

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Level 1

12 points

Convert old photo slides to .jpegs using an iMac?

I am not sure if posting this request in iPhoto is thebest place, but here goes:

I havecome across "slide converter" hardware for use with PC's. I am wondering if anyone knows of a MAC-compatible product that scans and creates digital files from old picture-slides ???
Thanks !

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Nov 21, 2008 3:52 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 21, 2008 5:34 PM in response to drobi

You cannot directly scan into iPhoto. You need to scan the images into your computer first, and then import them into iPhoto.
Any scanner that can do slides can give you an image in the form you specify, jpeg, tiff, etc. I use an Epson perfection 2480 photo scanner. It comes with a slide holder attachment that holds two slides at a time. It is an older model, was not very expensive but does a great job. I am sure the updated version of this one would be good, too.
I do the preview scan to see both of the slides, and then scan each one. I selected to have the scanned images just go to my desktop, but you can specify a folder if you want.
Then, you import the scanned images into iPhoto.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

215,836 points

Nov 22, 2008 10:25 AM in response to drobi

drobi:

I suggest you get a scanner like Beverly mentioned to scan your slides. The stand alone units like you mentioned are limited and when you're finished you have a nice paperweight.

I have a Canon 8600F scanner that will scan 4 35mm slides at a time and save them into separate files. It also scans film strips and other transparency sizes. It will also scan multiple photos and automatically save each photo to its own file. Are real time saver.

If you scan any B/W slides or photos be sure to scan as color since iPhoto doesn't support Grayscale files.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Note: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

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Answer 3

drobi Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 22, 2008 12:25 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks Mr Toad and Ms Beverly...We own a Canon Pixma 610 and am not sure whether it is capable of scanning old-photo-slides. I certainly use it a ton for document scanning and regular photos, so I will try it !
This is a Christmas gift for hubby, whose entire life has been cataloged on family slides that now reside in boxes in our home. I thought I'd start to tackle it, by starting a photo album of memories for him. I guess I shoud also find out whether Canon printers require the gizmo (slide holder) that you describe, Beverly.
Thanks for the guidance! Will let you know how it goes.
Where is Temecula, Mr Toad?
🙂

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Answer 4

Nov 23, 2008 4:02 AM in response to Old Toad

+I have a Canon 8600F scanner that will scan 4 35mm slides at a time and save them into separate files. It also scans film strips and other transparency sizes. It will also scan multiple photos and automatically save each photo to its own file. Are real time saver.+

That sounds great. I will be looking to get a new scanner soon.....have worn out my second one with all the photo-scanning I have done. I now have thousands of slides to do, and having them automatically scanned individually would be much faster. Does it allow you to reverse the image if you accidentally place the slide incorrectly? Mine does, and I like that feature.

I did look into having a professional service do this and put the digital images onto a CD or DVD disk for me, but it was more expensive than I thought it would be, about a dollar a slide.

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Answer 5

drobi Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 30, 2008 2:56 PM in response to Beverly Maneatis

Hi,
Disappoimted because my Canon Pixma 610 will NOT scan 35 MM slides like I had hoped. We own so many, and I do not want to have prints made, but will likely revert to this method ! It would be great if my iMac would allow me to convert these slides. I am using a great device to help me upgrade most of our family 8MM videos to digital video....
Oh well, thanks for the assist. A new printer just for slide scanning is not in my budget this year.

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Answer 6

Old Toad

Level 10

215,836 points

Nov 30, 2008 3:07 PM in response to drobi

Are you saying that your scanner can't scan transparencies? If it can but not automatically separate the files you could try the following:

Put multiple slides on the scanner and scan at the high dpi recommended for slides. After saving the file you'll have to go in and cut out each slide and save as a separate file. You would probably be best served with using a 3rd party editor that handles layers for that part of the process, Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac, Pixelmator, GraphicConverter, etc.

If you make prints and scan then in you'll lose a lot of image quality. It's just so much better to scan the transparencies rather than a print from the transparency.

If your current scanner can't scan slides and depending on how many prints you'd have to get it might be cheaper to get a new scanner.

Message was edited by: Old Toad

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Answer 7

drobi Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 30, 2008 4:28 PM in response to Old Toad

Alas, I tried it.
My Canon printer/scanner will only scan at 600 dpi,the highest it will allow, and when I tried that --using your suggestion for trying with multiple slides, they all came out too dark..and even when trying to go in an manipulate the images, I did not have success. (My scanner even allows for changing brightness and contrast iof the images before saving them as .jpegs, but that did not work satisfactorily.)

You may be right, a different scanner may do the trick..but since since this Canon Pixma 610 multi-function printer and scanner is new, I will probably just have photos printed out from these very old 35 mm slides. Then, if I want to scan the photos, I can still do that. One last thought...i might try a discussion forum at the Canon website....althoiugh I am partial to these great Apple support pages.
Thanks for your reply.

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