A 35mm film scanner is a device that scans 35mm film negatives and slides and converts them into a digital or JPEG image that can be transferred to your computer’s hard drive or stored on a CD.  Many people have boxes and boxes worth of old family photos on slides and negatives that they would like to preserve and have in digital form.  That is where a film scanner comes into play.

The way these machines work is you plug them into either an AC outlet or USB port, place your negative or slide into a holder on the machine, and then push a button.  The machine then scans the negative or slide and converts it into a digital image.  Film scanners also come with imaging software which you can use to adjust the images as well as re-size and crop them.

There are a wide variety of 35mm film scanners available today in the marketplace.  They range from very inexpensive models costing anywhere from $100-$150, all the way up to high end machines designed for professional photographers and those serious about the image quality of the scans.  These can cost over $1000.

When it comes to choosing the best 35mm film scanner for you, there are several factors you will need to take into account.  One of them is your budget.  Obviously there is only so much money you can afford to spend on one item, and that includes a scanner.  If you are very particular about the image quality of the scans, you will need to be willing to invest in a more expensive scanner like the Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED which retails at $1199.  If you are more budget conscious and willing to make adjustments to your photos with software such as Photoshop, there are models such as the Wolverine F2D and VuPoint FS-C1-VP, which are more in the $100-$150 range.

Another thing to consider is the type of computer and operating system you have.  Some film scanners are only compatible with the Windows operating systems XP and Vista, while other scanners can be used with a Mac as well.  You will also want to look at the various options and features and compare several film scanners to find out which one suits your needs the best.

A 35mm film scanner can transform your old negatives and slides into beautiful digital images that are easy to store, edit and share with other family members and friends.  It’s a great way to preserve all of those wonderful memories and can be done fairly easily and economically as well.

VuPoint FS-C1-VP Features

* Scan images to a quality of 5.0 mega pixel
* Automatic exposure control and color balance
* 10 bit color channels
* Built-in back light
* Scans 35mm slides as well as color or black and white negatives
* 2.0 USB cable to connect to your personal computer
* Mounting trays for slides and negatives
* Photo editing software- Photo Impression 6
* Cleaning brush

This VuPoint 35mm film scanner is a Windows only product and requires Windows XP or Vista. It is not compatible with 64-bit versions of Vista.

At $99, the FS-C1-VP, is an economical choice when it comes to a 35mm film scanner. Just insert your negatives or slides into the tray, push a button on the scanner or click an icon on your computer screen, and the image is converted to a 5.0 mega pixel JPEG in just seconds. This is perfect for people who have tons of old negatives or slides that they want to convert, without paying for expensive photography equipment. This scanner is also well built and is very sturdy and light weight.

However, some users have had difficulty with this scanner. The most common complaint is the image quality. Some customers find that the images are too grainy and blurry and that some detail may be lost. Others say they are satisfied, particularly for the price they paid for the scanner. Images can be cleaned up using Photoshop or another photo editor software program. However, if high quality images is what you are after, you may need to invest in a higher quality machine.

Some people have reported having problems installing the drivers and software, while others have found it easy to set up and use. Others do not like the auto adjustment features and want to be able to set their own parameters.

Overall, this VuPoint 35mm film scanner is a good value at $99. If you are looking for high quality images, you may need to invest in a more expensive scanner, but if you have stacks and stacks of 35mm slides or negatives that you want to convert to digital inexpensive and easily, the VuPoint FS-C1-VP is a 35mm film scanner that you will want to consider.

The USB port acts as the power source. You just plug your USB 35mm scanner into the USB port, place your slide or film negative into the holder or the scanner, and the image will appear on your computer screen via the software that comes with the machine. Next your just hit the scan button and the machine converts the slide or negative into a digital image that you can either view on the scanner or transfer to your computer’s hard drive where you can print it, email it to family members and friends, post to social networking sites such as Flickr, or store on CDs for later viewing.

A USB 35mm negative film slide digital converter scanner come from a wide variety of manufacturers and can cost anywhere from $99 to over $1000. The wide difference in price is mainly determined by the quality of the digital image that you get. For example, the Wolverine F2D 35mm film scanner scans at a quality of 1,800 dpi , whereas the Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED, retailing at $1199, scans at 4,000 dpi. So there is a wide range of prices and quality to choose from.

Before investing in a USB 35mm scanner you will need to decide on your budget and what quality of image you are willing to pay for. You also need to take into account what film scanners are compatible with your computer and operating system. Some only work with Windows XP and Vista, while others are also compatible with Mac computers and software.

A film scanner is a great way to preserve and digitize all of those old family photos and travel slides you may have accumulating in your closet or attic. A USB 35mm scanner is convenient to use. You just need a USB port on your computer and the software that comes with the particular scanner you decide to buy. Place your slide or negative into the machine, push a button, and within a few seconds you will have a brand new digital image of that old slide or negative.