How to Scan 35mm Slides – Part 3: Epson Scan Software
back to Part 2: Scanning Slides
The Epson Scan Software is pretty complicated at first. It has several downsides though.
First there is no real “auto-configuration” option like some scanners have. The software has to be reconfigured each time you switch formats. It also has four modes, Full Auto, Home, Office, and Professional. For my purposes, Full Auto mode actually works the best by far.
Epson Scan Opening
But before doing so it needs to be configured by clicking on the “Customize” button.
Epson Configuration options
To scan 35mm Slides, “Film” needs to be checked. If you need to go back to paper or pictures, then “Photograph/Document” needs to be checked.
Resolution can be modified to any of the options here. 300 is a good number for the best resolution at the best size for web print. Higher resolutions work good for larger printed files, 1200 would be the prefect size for a poster.
“Dust Removal” and “Color Restoration” are unchecked by default. These actually do amazingly well, so I always check them. Of course if the film is REALLY dirty then it doesn’t work very well.
“Color Restoration” does a variety of color fixes on slides, from RGB fixes to white balance. It also works great with the legendary Kodachrome film that is typically hard to scan and likes to leave a blueish tint.
scanned in Kodachrome film
It does not help with the Ektachrome collectible slides that were sold at Theme Parks and Tourist Destinations around the world though. That is going to take some work in Photoshop or another image editing program to fix.
Part 4: Photoshop
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