I would like to learn to transfer 35mm photos on to video. I have checked with local colleges in my area, but no one offers a course of this type. I could probably figure it out on my own if I knew what I needed to purchase. Can you tell me what I need to buy, offer suggestions of manufactures, etc?

-- Ginger Neas (gfneas@hotmail.com), April 12, 2000

Answers

Ginger:

Do you have the negatives? If not, that's OK, but your options are more plentiful if you do.

I'd suggest a multi-step approach that will require you to learn all about converting your film to digital images. Once you have your digital images, you have a range of options available to you for outputting your images to video.

The most cost effective and flexible approach would be the HP PhotoSmart line for your scanning purposes. HP's PhotoSmart S20 USB film scanner is an excellent device for this purpose, if you are using a PC. They do not work on a Macintosh however, as sad as that fact is. The PhotoSmart scanner is reviewed here on the site. You can get one for about $499, and less if you are willing to take a chance on a used model on ebay or another auction site. The PhotoSmart scanner offers three input options: Prints up to 5x7, 35mm negative and positive film strips (with the appropriate software for positives) and mounted slides. The results are unbeatable for the money. You can get an image up to 2400 dpi for slides and negatives, which is much more than you will need if your final destination is digital display. If you are scanning prints you are limited to 300dpi, which is still way more than enough for video.

If you are not using a PC, then you will be relegated to more costly scanners if you scan the negatives. Minolta has a model that you can get for $800 or so, then there is the Minolta Elite film scanner which will scan negatives at more than 2700 dpi then use a special software bolt-on called Digital ICE to remove scratches and dust spots. The Elite can be obtained for $1100. Then there are the outstanding Nikon entrants into the film scanning market, the LS-30 and the LS-2000. The LS-30 is a solid deal, coming in at around the same price as the mid-range Minolta at around $850 or so. It also uses ICE along with its big sister the LS-2000, which is a professional level scanner for about $1700.

There are also a range of flatbeds for the Mac if all you have are prints. You can also go the flatbed route on the PC side, but I'd definitely suggest the PhotoSmart if your prints are 5x7 or smaller.

The next step will involve using a Video editor such as Adobe Premier, VideoShop, Final Cut, or if you have a PC MGI's Video Wave. Double-check me with Video Wave to make sure it allows for display of stills. These programs will allow you to import your images into a timeline, then assign a duration for which they are displayed, then transitioned into the next image using a range of effects and transitions. Once you have your video created, you can also assign a soundtrack if you wish to create a very effective medium for sharing your photography. When you are ready, you can then create a viideo from your file in a range of formats, including AVI, QuickTime, or exported to video if you have the proper hardware. Consult with your vendor to make sure you are configured properly for this function. You may need to purchase a special video card for export to video tape.

In any event, your computing equipment will need to be up to speed as well. Nothing is more tiedious than waiting for your image or video to be rendered. The sound of that thrashing hard drive can get really painful after awhile. I'd suggest an iMac DV at least, but more adequately a G4 loaded with as much RAM as you can afford. On the PC side, you may still be able to get by with a Pentium II if you have enough RAM and a sophisticated enough video card.

Make sure to read the reviews of the film scanners listed on this site. You can get a lot of great information from those and that will help you make the right choice. Hopefully you have the negatives so your options are not limited to flatbeds. You can get flatbeds cheap, but the scanning process is rather cumbersome if your volume is high.

Good luck!

-- Jeffrey Sevier (jsevier@one.net), April 14, 2000.