More people today are using their computer and compact discs to store their memories and photographs and are eliminating the bulky photo albums and boxes of 35mm slides.  Professionals such as photographers, students, doctors and artists also need the convenience of archiving their work in a digital form.  This option helps preserve those precious memories and creations and allows more convenient options when it comes to sharing them.  The boring days of sitting through the slide show when Aunt Mary comes back from her trip to Japan are becoming a distant memory.  Archiving your 35mm film slides can allow you to create folders for better organization.  You can also add titles, captions and comments to your images.  Digital storage also eliminates the need for expensive film development for current memories.  Preserving your 35mm slides creates the need for a good 35mm film scanner.

Your personal situation will dictate which scanner you choose.  As with any other factor, you get what you pay for.  For those on a tight budget, a cheaper 35mm film scanner may result in poor quality archives.  The best quality will come from machines ranging over $1000 and the less expensive ones run around $100-$150 in cost and provide less quality images.  Some 35mm film scanner users report problems with keeping the film in place during scanning.  The best scanners come with software which will allow you to make adjustments to the image before the final storage phase. 

Factors to consider when shopping for your memory preserver include the bit depth and resolution of your finished product.  The bit depth will determine the color contrast of your images while the resolution will give your images a crisp clear image.  A resolution factor of less than 2700 dpi should be avoided as this will produce a poor quality image.  The software included should also be a factor.  The quality of the software affects its ability to edit your scanned image.  The best software available is Silver Fast for editing your scanned images.  There were a few others, according to the reviews, but they are no longer available.  Programs such as Photoshop can also be used, but their ability to correct poor quality is limited.

Unfortunately, some of the best scanners are no longer available as their producer and distributor are no longer in business.  Be sure and check the compatibility of your chosen model with your computer operating system before making the final decision to purchase.  Do not rely sole on the price in your consideration.  Do your own research and look at some of the reviews for models in your price range.  Choose a good 35mm film scanner model for your money and save your priceless memories for others to enjoy.