====== Slide/Negative Scanning Services ======

[[https://www.scancafe.com/|ScanCafe]](([[https://www.scancafe.com/]])) uses a Nikon Super CoolScan slide/negative scanner for slides and negatives. Choose the following options:

  * **Pro Library** to give you the raw TIFF scan and a processed JPG scan.
  * **Pro Resolution** to give you 4,000 dpi.
  * Also request **48-bit color** scans by placing a note in the “Order Notes” section of the order form which appears when you enter credit card information.

If you don't choose ScanCafe, choose a service that:

  * Uses a [[https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product-archive/film-scanners/super-coolscan-9000-ed.html|Nikon Super CoolScan 9000 ED]](([[https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product-archive/film-scanners/super-coolscan-9000-ed.html]])) or Reflecta Filmscanner RPS 10M(([[https://www.filmscanner.info/en/ReflectaRPS10M.html]])) or PacificImage PrimeFilm XA or XAs scanner or similar, NOT a flatbed scanner like the Epson V700/V750/V800/V850(([[https://www.reddit.com/r/analog/wiki/scanning]])).

For slides, a DSLR adapter like the Nikon ES-1 (about $45 from eBay) seems to do a good job. You will need a 24-megapixel DSLR to get all the detail, a macro lens such as 100mm, an off-camera flash to aim at the diffuser, and possibly one or more extension tubes to capture a whole frame at a time.

Here's a [[https://www.filmscanner.info/en/FilmscannerRangliste.html|real-world, effective resolution comparison between scanners]](([[https://www.filmscanner.info/en/FilmscannerRangliste.html]])):

^ Model ^  Type  ^  Resolution (DPI) ^ 35mm Resolution (MP)  ^  110 Resolution (MP)  ^
| Pacific Image PrimeFilm XA((Or XAs)) / Reflecta RPS 10M |  Film  |  4300  |  25  |  6.3  |
| Pacific Image PrimeFilm XE / Reflecta ProScan 10T |  Film  |  4100  |  23  |  5.8  |
| Nikon CoolScan V ED |  Film  |  3900  |  20  |  5.2  |
| Nikon CoolScan 5000 ED |  Film  |  3900  |  20  |  5.2  |
| Nikon CoolScan 9000 ED |  Film  |  3900  |  20  |  5.2  |
| Plustek OpticFilm 8200i |  Film  |  3250  |  14  |  3.6  |
| Epson Perfection v800 Photo |  Flatbed  |  2300  |  7.1  |  1.8  |
| Canon CanoScan 9000F Mk II |  Flatbed  |  1700  |  3.9  |  1.0  |
| Epson Perfection V600 Photo |  Flatbed  |  1560  |  3.3  |  0.8  |

<WRAP tip>
Flatbed scanners are great for prints but not for slides or negatives.
</WRAP>

  * Scans at **4,000 dpi** or more.
  * Scans at **[[48-bit color|48-bit color]]**.
  * Provides you with the **[[raw|raw TIFF]] scan**.
  * Dusts or cleans each slide or negative before scanning.

For your very best photos and if money is no object, consider drum scanning(([[http://www.alexburkephoto.com/blog/2017/12/15/drum-vs-flatbed-scanner-side-by-side-comparison]])). But the cost is dozens to hundreds of dollars per scan.