Slides In the digital age, for those with time to kill it is a simple - if tedious - task to scan photographs into a computer, writes Andrew Stucken.
And those with negatives lying around undeveloped can easily go digital with their snaps by having a photo CD produced at a photo lab.
But it was impossible to transform treasured slides and negatives of snaps already developed - unless you were endowed with expensive equipment costing upwards of £400.
Enter the Summit Photofix Scanner, a device which promises to digitise slides and negatives - developed or not - at the touch of a button.
What exactly is this device? The Photofix Scanner is a piece of hardware which plugs into your USB 2.0* port - doing away with the need for a power adaptor. It contains a bay for the insertion of slides and negatives, and scans either three slides or a strip of six negatives from a 35mm film.
How much does it cost? The RRP is £100 but it can be bought online for under £80.
Do I need to spend money on special software as well? Summit bundles Arcsoft PhotoImpression with the device – you will need to use this programme to process the pictures.
How do I use it?
* Install the software and device drivers and calibrate the scanner.
* Decide on the scan quality and click the 'Get Photos' tab at the top left of the interface.
* Choose 'Acquire from Scanner'.
* Insert the slides into the bay provided or the negatives into the separate housing provided. They should click audibly into place.
* Slide the first slide/negative into position under the scanner's beam. Use your mouse to take an image to check positioning is correct.
* Press 'Transfer' to acquire the full image.
* Create a folder for storing your scans. Bear in mind that the memory can count up to 12 shots – save between scans to avoid your scans being overwritten.
Reviews for this gadget are mixed. Do not expect brilliant results for the most exacting pictures. But if you want a relatively inexpensive and straightforward way of rescuing old snaps before it is too late, Photofix is not a bad bet for £100.
Points to note:
* Compatible with both Windows XP and Vista
* Not compatible with Macs
* Do not expect it to work with an old-fashioned USB 1.1 port – the Photofix needs high speed 2.0 USB