Estate Sale Find

[ricpr]

While out this weekend, I went to an estate sale and purchased an Argus 300 projector for $5 bucks. The thing looks new and I thought un-used. I took it home for the usual inspection and was surprised to find that the slide changers were loaded with slides. The slides are taken with a Leica and an unknown TLR and are great!!! The pictures are probably taken in or around Pearl Harbor prior to WWII. Most are on the base. Since you guys are the experts, I am here seeking instructions on how to post pictures of slides. Thanks for any input.

 

[Goodyear]

DO you have a scanner that can handle slides?

 

[oftheherd]

Failing that, a friend with a scanner, your local Walmar/CVS/whatever(expensive), or project them and photograph the projected images with a proper filter if you have it. Looking forward to seeing them.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

that is pretty cool...sort of like photo-archaeology. Can't wait to see them!

 

[Socke]

besides the scanning problem, how do you know the slides are form a Leica and an unknown TLR?

 

[doubs43]

If what you say is true, you may want to consider contacting the Smithsonian Institute to ensure the slides are saved for their historical value. They have the expertise to ID and date the images and the slides have undoubted historical significance. This is only a suggestion on my part and whatever you decide is fine.

That being said, I'd love to see scans of them! You've made a very nice purchase. I'm guessing the slides are Kodachrome.

Walker

While out this weekend, I went to an estate sale and purchased an Argus 300 projector for $5 bucks. The thing looks new and I thought un-used. I took it home for the usual inspection and was surprised to find that the slide changers were loaded with slides. The slides are taken with a Leica and an unknown TLR and are great!!! The pictures are probably taken in or around Pearl Harbor prior to WWII. Most are on the base. Since you guys are the experts, I am here seeking instructions on how to post pictures of slides. Thanks for any input.

 

[bmattock]

If you have no scanner, check eBoy for a focusing slide copier. They go for about $5 to $10. Basically, it is a long metal tube with a focusing helical and a slide mount at the end of it, no optics. You mount the tube on your SLR (DSLR is fine, maybe even better/faster), aim the slide end at a nice white steady light source, and focus the mount. Then take the photo and change the slide. Much better quality than photographing a projected image from a wall or whatever - with that method, you always get hotspots, keystoning, etc, because you cannot line your camera up with the projector path - there is always an offset.

The tubes are usually t-mount and you can get a t-mount adapters to your SLR anywhere.

Hope this helps, nice score!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[enochRoot]

i actually recently saw t-mount to leica screw mount adapters. then it would even be a rangefinder friendly practice!

 

[captainslack]

I second what doubs43 says! If they truly are of pre-WWII Pearl Harbor, then they're of true historical signicance and should be properly preserved.

 

[bmattock]

i actually recently saw t-mount to leica screw mount adapters. then it would even be a rangefinder friendly practice!

Sadly, no. You have to be able to focus THROUGH the tube. This is one area where the SLR excels. Not that it could not be done with a RF, but really not worth the hassle unless that's all one has.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[ricpr]

I doubt the pic's are of historical significance, but who knows. The re are some great photo's of car races on the tarmac of the base as well as pictures of pilots with planes in the backround. I guessed that a Leica was used based on photographs of a guy holding a Leica. The guys in the pictures are pilots, not NCO's with little $$. I guess I am wrong about the TLR, since the slides are all 35mm size. There are a couple of pic's of a photographer using a TLR. The pictures are all on Kodachrome. I'm off tomorrow, so I guess I'm off the the store to pick up a scanner. Any suggestions?

 

[doubs43]

If you have no scanner, check eBoy for a focusing slide copier. They go for about $5 to $10. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

To add to what Bill has said, if you decide to go this route I believe Kodak used to make special low contrast film for copying slides. I don't know if they still do or not but it wouldn't hurt to check. Slides copied on normal daylight film usually come out with too much contrast.

As for the slides' historical significance, don't let the seemingly mundane subjects fool you. Anything of Pearl taken before the war would have value.... especially if the pilots can be ID'd.

Walker

 

[eli griggs]

Before you publish your find, you might look at copyrighting your images. I seem to remember a person that found third party images of the Titanic and was able to copyright them. They have been used several times and they have received royalties. It could be worthwhile to see what is possible, even if it turns out to be a bust.

 

[ricpr]

Date update...... I was able to find the date of manufacture of a car that appears in a couple of pictures. 1948 Chevy Stylemaster. The pic's are post war. The car is worn, so I assume the car is at least 5 years old in the pictures if not more. The pic's are definitely in the 50's. All I had to do was ask my father for pointers, he said the cars are a dead give away. He was right.

 

[dkapp]

Awesome find. I can't wait to see the results.

For scanner recommendations, it all depends on your budget. I've been happy with my Minolta Dual Scan IV for 35mm and Epson 3170 for medium format. I just scanned my first slides on the Epson tonight and was pleasantly surprised.

If your looking for 1 scanner to control them all (err...too much lord of the rings I guess) I've heard great things about the Epson 4990 flatbed.

Dave