Arkroyal
Can't suggest any cheapo methods to do what you want but, if the experience is of any use, I have both an Epson 1220(?) scanner (which comes with transparency adaptor as standard) and a Minolta Dimage Dual Scan dedicated transparency scanner. Unsurprisingly, the results reflect the respective prices. The Epson does an adequate job for providing standard postcard-ish sized prints - probably equivalent to a 1Mpixel digi camera. I have just used the Minolta for the first time on some Canon 35mm SLR negs and the results are stunning (as are the file sizes - typically 14-18 Mbs!!) The amount of detail recoverable, given the size of the source, is quite remarkable.

I have a large collection of medium format 6X4.5 slides which I would like to scan.
In the computer mags I have seen nothing advertised to cope with them.
Anyone got a suggestion?

The Minolta Scan Multi II will handle all kinds of slides/film with appropriate accessories. Be sure to be sitting down when pricing it out :) http://www2.minolta.com/dp/multi2/overview/index.html

Mallard
The Epson (Perfection 1200)would almost certainly do the job, albeit not at the highest resolutions - from memory, something like 1200 dpi (the handbook, like most of them nowadays is on one of the several hundred cds in the confuser room!! :) )That would probably exceed most home printer resolutions anyway.

Filmscan35 back in post to manufacturer today. They seem OK with the refund, Iguess they're used to it!

Let you know if I get the loot back.

Thanks for the other suggestions. rather fancy the HP one I checked out in PC world.

Got the HP5370C last week. Very very nice. Not as good as a dedicated film scanner but much cheaper. 16 slides down, about 8000 to go.....

Good OCR software by IRIS (much more accurate than the sw that came with the HP4200C)

I tried one of HPs box-with-mirrors slide adapters on the 4200 - that didn't work either. Hope you get your refund!

Full marks to Blackwidow customer services. Full refund, no quibble. Shame about the item.

Mac, how much and where from?

Can anyone suggest I good home scanner that is quite fast for documents, and gives you other goodies as well. I have reams and reams of stuff, actually two lever arch files I want to store to disk. What do you guys reccommend. I have been looking at all sorts of scanners, but they all seem rather slow.

Any suggestions. Makes and models.

Thanks in advance.

Arkroyal - Incredible Connection, Cape Town and some R1300 reduced from R1600 - that was 3 weeks ago. Dunno what the incredible shrinking rand has done to the price or whether they still have any left.

Bob Hawke, HP do a document sheet feeder attachment for the HP5370C - I don't know how it performs or how much it costs, but it sure looks neat As for speed, I'd venture that most SOHO scanners are likely to be slowish - the 10x speed of professional business scanners comes with a 10x pricetag. As I said, I'm quite impressed with the OCR software bundled with the HP5370C.

Mac, thanks for the tip, will look at that one.

I've just discovered this thread and having experimented with various methods of scanning slides I have concluded that there is no substitute for a dedicated slide scanner. Although I am still saving for one, I do have an obliging friend with one and I'm not too proud to avail myself of his generosity. For anyone interested in getting more out of their scanner I can recommend Wayne Fulton's site. It will tell you what your scanner manual doesn't.

Scantips