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How to Transfer Photo Slides to Digital

Transferring your old photo slides to digital media allows you to store, edit and share your old slides in new ways. The process of transferring slides to digital files can be done professionally. It's also possible to transfer your slides at home using a flatbed scanner that has the capacity to scan negatives or film.

Things You'll Need

Film scanner or flatbed scanner with film- or negative-scanning capability
Dust- and lint-free cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Review your home scanner's directions for negative and film scanning. Some scanners have a special film or slide carrier, while others allow you to lay the slides directly on the glass of the flatbed.
- 2
  Prepare the slides by wiping gently with the dust-free cloth. Do not use canned, compressed air as the propellant may damage the slide. Removing dust from the slides prevents large dust spots from appearing on your digital images.
- 3
  Wipe the flatbed glass with the dust-free cloth to remove any debris.
- 4
  Lay the slides flat on the flatbed-scanner glass or insert them into the slide carrier designed to use with your scanner. Close the scanner lid carefully or insert the slide carrier into the carrier notch.
- 5
  Press the scan button. Some scanners have a specific film scan setting or button that should be used; check the manual for your scanner for the specifics. Once your scan is complete, repeat the process for any additional slides.

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