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.

This Wolverine 35mm film scanner comes with the following features:

* Converts 35mm slides and film negatives (both color as well as black and white) into a 5 mega pixel digital (JPEG) image
* Operates as a stand-alone scanner, with no software or computer needed to operate
* Fast conversion. Only takes 5 seconds to convert your slides and negatives into a digital image
* Comes with a 1.5 inch color LCD built in screen for viewing and editing images
* Compact size- which takes up very little space to store, operate or transport
* Saves images directly on SD memory cards
* Optical Resolution 1800 dpi

Included is the F2D Wolverine 35mm film scanner, USB cable, AC power adapter, slides cartridge, negatives cartridge, cleaner and a 1 GB SD card that is capable of holding 1000 images. There is a limited time offer on the SD card. The scanner also comes with a limited 1 year warranty.

Most customers of the Wolverine F2D report that they are very satisfied with the scanner. They note that it is affordable, very easy to use and fast. Users have noted how easy it is to quickly convert large quantities of family photos because of how fast and easy the machine is to use.

The major complaints about the film scanner is the quality of the pictures. Some say that the pictures come out dark or grainy. A few have also reported that the LCD screen for viewing the pictures is too small.

The Wolverine F2D retails for between $100-$150 and overall is a great value for a 35mm film scanner. For those who want a higher quality image, a more expensive scanner will be necessary. But for those who want to get all of their old family photos preserved in digital format quickly and inexpensively, this Wolverine 35mm film scanner is a great choice.

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.

Here are some of the major features of this top of the line Nikon 35mm film scanner:

• 4,000 dpi true optical scanning
• Scans are previewed in in 11 seconds, and full scans can be done in as little as 20 seconds
• Digital ICE4, a suite of advanced image correction technologies
• High performance Nikkor ED lens that minimizes image distortion and reduces color aberration
• High speed USB interface which makes for easy and fast image transfer
• PC as well as Mac compatible
• A color management system that is enhanced for higher precision and is in compliance with ICC  version 4 standards

Included are the 35mm film scanner, USB cable, power cord, slide and negative mount adapters, Nikon software on CD-ROM (Nikon Scan 4, Nikon View) and a user’s guide.  The CoolScan 5000 ED comes with a limited one year warranty.  There is also an optional slide feeder that holds up to 50 mounted slides as well as a roll film adapter that is optional, holding as many as 40 frames of uncut film rolls.

This Nikon 35mm film scanner truly is a high performance machine.  It consistently gets great reviews from users who are very pleased with the image quality that the scans produce, as well as its flexibility and ease of use.  The automatic contrast and color compensation as well as the ICE 4 suite help to produce accurate and beautiful scans.  The film scanner is easy to operate with the plug and play, user friendly USB interface and one touch scanning.

One potential drawback is that, although it is advertised to be compatible with Macs, some Mac users have had difficulty using the  Nikon Super CoolScan 5000 ED with their computer.  Also, if your computer is not well optimized, the software could cause system crashes.  There is a learning curve, but most users find the users manual to be well documented.

If you are a professional photographer, this Nikon 35mm film scanner is a must.  If you are a serious amateur or if very high quality digital images are a priority for you, then you should consider investing in the Super CoolScan 5000 ED.

The film scanners that are out on the market today can help you with even the oldest negative in being developed. Slide show films, too, can be turned into photographs so you don’t need the normal “view master” type of device to have a look. (Just make sure that you buy a scanner that can convert 35mm slides.)  As well, since many people are getting into creating “scrap books”, this handy kind of machine with special software hooks up to your computer via a USB port, and can more than handle creating the rest of your photographic memories, and can also save you time and money, if not ruined film, due to the fact that you can do this from the comfort of your own home.

Of course, one of the major factors that come into play, in order for this to happen, will be whether or not your current PC or laptop computer will be able to handle the software. Compatibility is the main issue, after all, so when you are looking for scanning software, please bear that in mind. For example, if you are running a PC with Windows XP Professional on it, then the scanning software must be able to work on Windows XP Professional, or you will not be able to use it.  Most scanning software types will be able to work on any version of Windows or Mac operating systems, for the most part. You can try to find the compatibility by merely going to the website of the company that makes the scanner/scanning software and clicking appropriate links that will show you what you need to know.

Some of these scanners cost very low-priced. You can get an inexpensive film scanner for just over $100.  There are also some really fancy ones that can be purchase for well over $1,000.  Bear in mind what you want to pay for one then take it from there.  You should be able to find one that you can afford, that will take also care of obtaining your images from the memories of yesteryear, so that you and your family can enjoy them.  You can start by looking online, or calling distributors of computer-related digital imaging products, more than likely found in your local telephone book, close by you.

Once you have your new imaging device, it’s fairly easy to hook them up, as all you need to do is find the power cord and attach it to an outlet, then hook up the USB cord to a similar one on your computer. You will probably need to install the software before you do this, so please read directions. Soon, you’ll have your memories transferred to a media you can appreciate for years to come.