Cheapskate way to convert slides into digital pictures?

[89AKurt]

I really don't want to spend money to convert 35 mm slides into digital photos. I was thinking of fabricating a cardboard box that mounts to my A570 camera, that has a mount similar to a slide projector at a certain distance from the lens, with paper beyond to diffuse light. This camera has the macro feature, just zoom as required to fill the frame.

Sounds simple enough. Think it's feasible? Or is there something out there that doesn't cost much?

[sapearl]

I'm not sure how AF and proper exposure control would work on something like that. Although if you found one standard manual setting that worked, you might be able to pull "something" off. I don't imagine the quality would be very good though - the camera is not really designed to do that sort of thing well.

You're better off getting a cheap flatbed scanner with a slide adapter. How many slides did you need to convert?

[89AKurt]

I have maybe 100 - 200, depending on my mood.

[sapearl]

Another thought here - if you're doing just a few slides then your method may meet your needs. But if you need to convert a lot of them, then I'd do it the right way and get a proper scanner. I can't see going through all that effort only to get mediocre to poor results. That would just be a waste of my time; I like to do it right the first time or not at all - but that's just me :D

[Woolburr]

This is a simple outfit that a lot of people use...the results aren't bad...but they aren't perfect.
http://www.bugeyedigital.com/product_main/bow-sdd.html

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I just use my 100 macro and two daylight balanced flood lights. I do my dad's artwork all the time.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/red.jpg

[89AKurt]

Thanks for the responses!

[Gunni]

Check out these URLs for lots on the subject.

<http://www.popphoto.com/howto/3363/how-to-digitize-slides.html>

<http://www.andromeda.com/people/ddyer/photo/slide-transfer.html>

<http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/scanners/topic4229.html>

<http://specialtyphotographic.stores.yahoo.net/slcounpro.html>

And, lastly, DO watch the ingenious device this guy set up for copying slide. Be sure to watch the video, half way down the page. Utterly fascinating answer to the problem.

<http://patenteux.com/SlideDuplication/>

This will keep you busy for awhile.

Gunni

[PhotosGuy]

Just as a reference:
Do you Cobble? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58609)
** DIY Projects ** (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=256773)