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Hi Reader,

It’s Amazon Prime Days and I wanted to say thank you for letting me know what you wanted to learn about so you can make the best choice for yourself (and on sale, too, hopefully!) And now Amazon lets me put links in emails!

As a fellow boomer, I know how important it is to preserve those precious family memories captured on slides over the years. I’ve done some research on the top slide scanners available on Amazon, and I wanted to share my thoughts on a few to help you find the best fit for your time and money.

Before I get into the reviews, I wanted to point out something. Many of the slide and negative scanners on Amazon (particularly the cheaper ones) may tell you what Megapixel (MP) measurement their scanner has, that doesn’t really tell you how well it will scan slides. A more accurate measurement is Pixels Per Inch (PPI) which is dependent not only on the quality of the camera inside, but also the quality of the light source.

Best practice tells us that slides and negatives should be scanned at at least 4000 ppi/dpi (they are often used interchangeably). This is because they are so small. Higher PPI also means higher cost, and it’s important to realize that the lower the quality of the scan, the more time you may need to spend cleaning up the scan as slides and negatives are notorious for having damage and dust that is only seen once scanned.

As an example, I looked at one 24 MP scanner and in the reviews I read, the resolution was listed from 1800 ppi to 3000 ppi. This will still result in a loss of detail that may not be acceptable to you. In addition, some of the higher-end scanners have features that will remove dust specks, correct color, and more. So consider all of your needs as you make your choice.

The Plustek OpticFilm 8100 is a solid mid-range option. It delivers great image quality, with 7200 dpi resolution to really bring out the details in your old slides. The software is user-friendly, and it has some handy features like dust removal and color restoration. The downside is it’s a bit on the slower side, taking around 1 minute per slide.

For a step up in speed and resolution, the Plustek OpticFilm 8200i SE is worth a look. It can scan at up to 9600 dpi for truly stunning scans. Plus, it has a built-in infrared channel to automatically detect and remove dust and scratches. The only real drawback is the higher price tag.

If you’re willing to invest a bit more, the Epson Perfection V600 is tough to beat. It delivers excellent 6400 dpi scans, with great software for enhancing your images. It’s also versatile, able to handle film, slides, and photos. The only real downside is it’s a bit slower than some competitors. Also, some people, particularly those with Windows 11, have reported trouble with the software (I personally have not had trouble - I have this scanner and Windows 11). If that’s the case, then purchase VueScan software for this scanner.

For the ultimate in slide scanning performance, the Epson Perfection V850 Pro is hard to top. With a 6400 dpi sensor and advanced dust/scratch removal, your old slides will look better than ever. It’s fast, too, with batch scanning capabilities. The price is high, but if you have a large collection, it could be worth the investment. And again, if there’s trouble with the software, look at Vuescan.

Lastly, the Plustek OpticFilm 135i is a specialized 35mm slide and film scanner. It delivers incredible 7200 dpi scans, with software for color correction and restoration. It’s a bit pricier than some all-in-one options, but if you’re focused solely on slides, it could be the perfect fit. One article I read said the software it comes with isn’t good, and that you could purchase VueScan software to make your life much easier.

Other considerations:

• Once you are done with the scanner you may be able sell it on Craig’s List, eBay, a garage sale, or maybe even back to Amazon. You won’t get all your money back, likely, but it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
• Lately Amazon has been offering payment plans on higher-priced items. Sometimes they are interest free, so check that out if that makes it easier for you.

I also want to break down how this compares to having your slides digitized at Forever. You can take a look at how many slides you have and figure out the best way to spend your money.

• The regular price works out to $1.20 per slide. But I always say never pay the full retail price at Forever. They often have sales, and they also have the Forever Club (kind of like the old Christmas Clubs that banks used to offer where you make a payment into an account each month and withdraw it when you’re ready to spend it and they give you an additional 5% off - and you can start or stop anytime, but to get the discount you need to be enrolled in it at the time of purchase).
• Regular price plus Forever Club discount works out to $1.14 per slide.
• 25% off works out to $0.90 per slide.
• 25% off plus 5% Club discount works out to $0.84 per slide
• 40% off works out to $0.72 per slide.
• 40% off plus 5% Club Discount works out to $0.66 per slide

If you decide to go this route, I advise signing up for Forever Club before purchasing a digitization box. Depending on the number of slides, you likely only need a small or medium regular box. One item is 25 slides, so a small box has a credit built in for 50 slides. But, you can put as many into the box as you can fit (25 per bag and you can use ziplocs if they don’t send you enough bags), and as long as you send the box back within 90 days (they’ll tell you the date), whatever discount you got on the box, they will also apply to the additional items.

Whew, that’s a lot to consider! Let me know if you have any other questions as you weigh the pros and cons of these scanners. I’m happy to provide any additional insights to help you make the best choice for you when it comes to preserving your family memories.

Warmly,

Fancy

PS: You can see other products on sale at Amazon on my Amazon Prime Page.

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I help overwhelmed family photo keepers become memory preservation masters so they can enjoy their memories now and leave meaningful collections for future generations.

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