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Photo Negative / Photo Slide Scanner

An overview of digitization equipment in the Freedman Center with step-by-step instructions.
a drawing of a yellow lightbulb The Freedman Center is being updated for the Fall 2025 semester. As the lab's location and layout is changing, these guides are in the process of being updated. If you need assistance with scanning and digitization during this transition period, stop by the lab during staffed lab hours for hands-on assistance or email FreedmanCenter@case.edu to make an appointment. 

Photo Negative / Photo Slide Scanner

This guide is a step-by-step tutorial for how to use the Photo Negative / Photo Slide Scanner in the Freedman Center Technology Lab. 

blue arrow pointing to the right How to Use This Guide

Need Help? Guides support self-service equipment use. If you need additional help, you can:

If something is not working as expected, report the problem to Freedman Center staff.

blue arrow pointing to the right Equipment Overview

A top-down image of the PlusTek photo negative scanner.

The Photo Negative / Photo Slide Scanner captures the highest resolution or PPI (Pixels per Inch) for negatives and photo slides. In App-Functions allow for photo editing before the first scans are made. 

Alternatives: The Flatbed scanner scans high-quality flat images, and scanning time is dependent on resolution settings chosen. 

User Manual: PlusTek OpticFilm 8200i (Scanner), SilverFast 9 (Computer Software)

blue arrow pointing to the right Tips for handling photographic materials

Any type of photo material should be handled with clean hands away from liquids or food. Bring your own nitrile gloves to keep your photos fingerprint free; soft bristled brushes to gently remove dust and lint.

blue arrow pointing to the right What can this scanner digitize?

Top-down shots of photo negatives. The top is an orange color, and the bottom is greys and blacks.

 

Photo Negatives are flat, transparent strips of multiple photographic images. Light tones will appear darker, dark tones will appear lighter on the negatives. Color (top negative) or Black & White (bottom negative) negatives are shown.

 

 

Top-down shot of slides in cardstock.

Photo Slides are single, transparent photographic positives encased in either a paper or plastic sleeves. Light tones will appear light, while dark tones will appear dark. These photos will appear in color.

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