Here's what you'll discover after reading about slide scan dpi...

• Where to setup your scanner to pick resolution DPI
• What DPI you need to turn your slides into 4x6 digital images -- or bigger
• What DPI is best for so you can watch your slides at excellent quality on your HDTV

If you pick the wrong resolution, you're going to waste time scanning low resolution digital images. The scans might look good on your monitor, but if you put them on your HDTV or try to make a photobook, the pictures will look lousy.

So here's how to setup your slide scanner's resolution...

1. Where To Change The DPI Setting On Your Scanner

When you fire up your scanner software, look for "Resolution" or "DPI". Here's what mine looks like...

You'll see a spot where you can choose your DPI.

For this example, let's use 300 DPI.. .and see what happens.

2. What You Get With A 300 DPI Slide Scan

If you use 300 DPI, you will only get a 1.30" x 0.85" digital image. That size is WAY to small.

Let's try 1500 DPI...

3. What You Get With A 1500 DPI Slide Scan

That's better. At 1500 DPI, you'll get a 4x6 digital images. This means you can re-print your slides at 4x6, excellent quality. And even at 4x6, you'll be able to view them as HD quality on your computer monitor or HDTV.

4. What You Get With A 4000 DPI Slide Scan

You'll be safe if you use 1500 DPI, and they will be faster to scans.

But I always recommend to use 4000 DPI. They take a bit longer to scan, because it's always better to have too many pixels than too little.

5. What If You Have Slides Bigger Than 35mm?

Great question. Here's a quick cheat sheet:

135 Slide (35mm Slide)

Approx. size in inches: 1.3" x 0.85"
Max resolution you can scan: 4000 DPI
Mega pixels when scanned at 4000 DPI: 18
Pixel dimension when scanned at 4000 DPI: 5200 x 3400

127 Slide

Approx. size in Inches: 2" x 2"
Max resolution you can scan: 2600 DPI
Mega pixels when scanned at 2600 DPI: 18
Pixel dimension when scanned at 2600 DPI: 5200 x 3400

126 Slide

Approx. size in inches: 1.04" x 0.98"
Max resolution you can scan: 4000 DPI
Mega pixels when scanned at 4000 DPI: 17
Pixel dimension when scanned at 4000 DPI: 4160 x 3920

110 Slide

Approx. size in inches: 0.63" x 0.47"
Max resolution you can scan: 4000 DPI
Mega pixels when scanned at 4000 DPI: 5
Pixel dimension when scanned at 4000 DPI: 2520 x 1880

Medium Format Slide Transparency

Size and DPI vary.

But use 1200 DPI, and you'll get 24x36 digital images.

Large Format Slide Transparency

Size and DPI vary.

But use 900 DPI and you'll get 24x36 digital images.

DO THIS Right Now: 3 Action Steps

1. Decide if you need scans bigger than 4x6. If so, you'll be safe using 1500 DPI.
2. If you want scans as big as poster size (24x36) use 4000 DPI. They'll take longer, but you'll get better quality.
3. Get help with your slide scanning project by telling me your challenges...