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How to Convert Slides to Digital Format

For years, photographers opted to use slide film to most accurately record color. Slide film, also known as positives or transparencies, would reproduce color better than traditional film. The advent of digital technology has allowed both professional and amateur photographers to convert their archives of slides into digital files by scanning them. While there are professional labs that can provide this service for a fee, you can easily convert slides to digital format at home using your computer and a film scanner.

Things You'll Need

USB cable
Anti-static cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Connect the film scanner to your computer using a USB cable. Turn both the scanner and your computer on, and install the scanner's software on your computer.
- 2
  Create a new folder on your desktop in which to save the scanned images.
- 3
  Prepare the slides for scanning by carefully cleaning them using an anti-static cloth. These cloths will remove dirt and dust from your slides, as well as help prevent dust from collecting on them during scanning.
- 4
  Place the slides in the appropriate carrier tray, and insert the carrier tray into the scanner.
- 5
  Press the "Start" button on the scanner, or click "Start" in the software. Repeat the process until all slides have been scanned.

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