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DIY Slide Viewer

For many years, amateur and professional photographers who wanted or needed a high degree of color accuracy in their images shot with slide film. Slide film, also known as "transparencies," "positives" or "E6," not only provided a high degree of color accuracy but was also available in slower film speeds compared to 35mm color film. This lower film speed allowed for greater color saturation. Typically, you would view slides using a slide projector. Now, you can build your own personal slide viewer with a few easy steps.

Things You'll Need

Shoe box
Battery powered dome light
Wax paper
Scissors
Tape
Photographers Magnifying Loupe

Instructions

- 1
  Select a sturdy shoe box that you no longer need. Ideally the box is still in good shape and sturdy enough to support a small amount of weight.
- 2
  Remove the lid of the box. In the center of the lid, cut a rectangular opening that is larger than the slide, but not larger than the slide mount. A 35mm slide measures 36-by-24mm. Trace out a rectangle that is 38-by-26mm and cut this out of the lid.
- 3
  Turn the lid over so you are look at the inside of the lid. Cut a piece of wax paper that is larger than the hole you just cut and tape into place covering the hold from inside. Set the lid aside.
- 4
  Line the inside of the shoe box with tinfoil to help reflect the light.
- 5
  Place a battery-powered dome light in the bottom of the shoe box. Turn the light on.
- 6
  Replace the lid of the shoe box, place a slide on the opening and view the slide through the photographers loupe.

Photography