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10 Best 35 Mm Slide Scanner For Mac 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

KODAK Slide N SCAN Film & Slide Scanner Digitizer with 5” LCD Screen, Quickly Convert Negatives & Slides to Digital 22MP JPEG Photos, Compatible with 135, 126 and 110 Film & Slides

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,176
Speed

Most important from
11196 reviews

Speed
The quick-feeding tray technology is efficient, but handling curled negatives can be a bit tricky.

The KODAK SLIDE N SCAN Film and Slide Scanner offers a user-friendly solution for digitizing your old photo memories. Equipped with a high resolution of 22 megapixels, this scanner ensures that your 35mm, 126, and 110 film negatives and slides are converted into high-quality digital photos. The large 5-inch LCD screen with gallery mode is a notable feature, allowing you to preview and edit photos directly on the device, which is convenient for sharing with friends and family or even using it as a digital picture frame.

The scanner’s quick-feeding tray technology simplifies the scanning process, allowing continuous loading of film slides for efficiency. This is particularly valuable for users who have a large collection of slides to digitize. Single-touch editing features enable easy adjustments to color and brightness, making the device accessible even for those who might not be tech-savvy. In terms of compatibility, the scanner works well with Mac and any USB Type-C enabled computer, and it supports SD and SDHC cards up to 32GB for direct storage (though the SD card is not included).

The connectivity options, including USB and HDMI, add flexibility, but it’s worth noting that scanning speed is not explicitly mentioned, which could be a concern for those looking for faster processing times. While it’s a solid choice for anyone looking to digitize old slides and negatives, those requiring ultra-fast scanning speeds or additional included storage options might need to consider these aspects.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,176
Speed

Most important from
11196 reviews

Speed
The quick-feeding tray technology is efficient, but handling curled negatives can be a bit tricky.
#2

Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner

Rating
9.6
Resolution
Compatibility
Speed

Most important from
7041 reviews

Resolution
The image quality is impressive, with scans appearing clear and vibrant.
Compatibility
Compatibility with the latest Windows versions is seamless, ensuring no issues with drivers.
Speed
Scans multiple photos at once, saving each one separately, which greatly enhances productivity.
Software Features
The inclusion of Digital ICE technology effectively removes dust and scratches from old slides.

The Epson Perfection V600 is a versatile scanner suitable for various media types, including slides, film, negatives, and documents. For 35-mm slide scanning, it offers a high resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi, enabling the creation of large, detailed enlargements up to 17 x 22 inches. This is ideal for users wanting high-quality scans.

The scanner includes Digital ICE technology, which helps remove dust and scratches from films and tears and creases from photos, ensuring cleaner and more professional scans. Color restoration features allow for easy enhancement of faded photos, adding value for those preserving old memories. The built-in transparency unit is a convenient feature for scanning slides and negatives without needing additional accessories.

Compatibility with Mac is ensured, and it connects via USB, a standard and reliable method for most users. Software enhancements like ABBYY FineReader Sprint for OCR and ArcSoft PhotoStudio for editing provide added functionality, making this scanner not just for images but also for documents needing text recognition and editing capabilities. The energy-efficient ReadyScan LED technology means immediate scanning with no warm-up time, enhancing productivity. The scanner is relatively bulky, with dimensions of 19 x 11 x 4.6 inches and weighing 9 pounds, which may be a consideration for limited workspace. It's best suited for users needing high-quality scans for detailed projects rather than quick, high-volume scanning.

Rating
9.6
Resolution
Compatibility
Speed

Most important from
7041 reviews

Resolution
The image quality is impressive, with scans appearing clear and vibrant.
Compatibility
Compatibility with the latest Windows versions is seamless, ensuring no issues with drivers.
Speed
Scans multiple photos at once, saving each one separately, which greatly enhances productivity.
Software Features
The inclusion of Digital ICE technology effectively removes dust and scratches from old slides.
#3

Plustek OpticFilm 135i Ai - Pro-Quality Film & Slide Scanner with 3rd Generation Lens System, Bundle SilverFast Ai Studio 9 + Advanced IT8 Calibration Target (3 Slide)

Rating
9.3
Resolution
Color Depth
Software Features

Most important from
3 reviews

Resolution
Scans deliver stunning color gradients and sharpness, even in challenging areas like skies and sunsets.
Color Depth
The built-in infrared dust and scratch removal works like magic, cleaning old slides without losing detail or color richness.
Software Features
The bundled software offers extensive control over image quality, rewarding the effort to learn its features.

The Plustek OpticFilm 135i Ai is a dedicated 35mm film and slide scanner designed to deliver high-quality scans with excellent detail and color fidelity. It boasts a rich 48-bit color depth and grayscale depth, which helps capture fine color nuances and subtle shades, making your old slides and negatives look vibrant. A standout feature is its new aspheric lens system that reduces distortion and improves edge sharpness, ensuring your scanned images stay crisp across the entire frame.

The inclusion of advanced IR (infrared) technology helps to effectively remove dust and scratches, which is a big plus for restoring old film. This scanner supports a variety of 35mm film types, including regular photos, panoramas (with an optional holder), and half-frame negatives, adding flexibility depending on your film collection. It also allows batch scanning of multiple slides or negatives at once, saving time when digitizing many images. The scanner connects via USB, making it compatible with Mac systems.

It comes bundled with SilverFast Ai Studio software, a professional image editing tool that enhances the scanning experience with advanced calibration options and fine control over image quality. While the scanner is lightweight and compact, its speed might not match some newer models optimized for faster throughput. Also, the panoramic holder is sold separately, which might add to the cost if you need that feature. This scanner is well suited for photography enthusiasts or anyone looking to preserve and enhance their 35mm film archives with professional-level results, especially if image detail and color accuracy are prioritized over quick scanning.

Rating
9.3
Resolution
Color Depth
Software Features

Most important from
3 reviews

Resolution
Scans deliver stunning color gradients and sharpness, even in challenging areas like skies and sunsets.
Color Depth
The built-in infrared dust and scratch removal works like magic, cleaning old slides without losing detail or color richness.
Software Features
The bundled software offers extensive control over image quality, rewarding the effort to learn its features.

Buying Guide for the Best 35 Mm Slide Scanner For Mac

Choosing the right 35-mm slide scanner for your Mac involves understanding your specific needs and the key specifications that will impact your scanning experience. A good slide scanner will help you digitize your old slides with high quality, making it easier to store, share, and edit your photos. Here are the key specifications you should consider when selecting a 35-mm slide scanner for your Mac, along with explanations to help you make an informed decision.
ResolutionResolution is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and determines the level of detail the scanner can capture. Higher resolution means more detail and larger file sizes. For general use, a resolution of 2400 DPI is usually sufficient. If you need to capture very fine details or plan to print large photos, look for a scanner with 4000 DPI or higher. Consider your end use: if you are archiving family photos for digital viewing, a lower resolution may suffice, but for professional or high-quality prints, opt for higher resolution.
Color DepthColor depth, measured in bits, indicates how many colors the scanner can capture. Higher color depth results in more accurate and vibrant colors. Most scanners offer 24-bit color depth, which is adequate for most users. However, if you need professional-grade scans with the most accurate color reproduction, look for scanners with 48-bit color depth. Think about the importance of color accuracy in your project: for casual use, 24-bit is fine, but for professional or artistic work, 48-bit is better.
Dynamic RangeDynamic range, measured as Dmax, indicates the scanner's ability to capture details in both the darkest and lightest areas of the slide. A higher Dmax value means better detail in shadows and highlights. For general use, a Dmax of 3.0 is usually sufficient. For professional use or slides with high contrast, look for a Dmax of 4.0 or higher. Consider the quality of your slides: if they have a lot of contrast or you need to capture subtle details, a higher dynamic range is important.
CompatibilityCompatibility with your Mac is crucial. Ensure the scanner is compatible with your Mac's operating system and has the necessary drivers and software. Some scanners come with Mac-specific software, which can make the scanning process smoother. Check the manufacturer's specifications and user reviews to confirm compatibility. If you are using the latest macOS, make sure the scanner supports it to avoid any software issues.
SpeedScanning speed is how quickly the scanner can digitize your slides. Faster scanners save time, especially if you have a large number of slides to scan. Speed is usually measured in seconds per scan. For occasional use, speed may not be a critical factor, but if you have many slides, look for a scanner with faster speeds to improve efficiency. Consider your workload: if you are scanning a large collection, a faster scanner will be more convenient.
Software FeaturesThe software that comes with the scanner can greatly affect your experience. Look for features like dust and scratch removal, color restoration, and batch scanning. These features can save time and improve the quality of your scans. Some scanners come with advanced editing software, which can be useful if you need to make adjustments to your scans. Think about what features are important to you: if you want to minimize post-processing, look for scanners with robust software features.
ConnectivityConnectivity options, such as USB or Wi-Fi, determine how you connect the scanner to your Mac. USB is the most common and reliable connection, but some scanners offer Wi-Fi for wireless convenience. Consider your setup and preferences: if you prefer a clutter-free workspace, a Wi-Fi-enabled scanner might be ideal. Ensure the scanner's connectivity options match your Mac's available ports and your personal workflow preferences.

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