Baseball glass slide 1800's, viewer?

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Posted By: leon

Hey Folks,
A board member has asked me to see if I could find out how to view a baseball glass slide he found. His description is:

"But I did find a glass slide of a baseball player from the 1800's but I don't know how to view it . Its about 3 x 5"


any ideas on how to view it? Weren't there "viewers" made, or something like that? regards

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Posted By: davidcycleback

You can make a detailed computer scan then view it big or print it out bigger. I've digitally enlarged modern 35mm slides this way, and the big images are detailed. In fact, I've made big digital prints from slides using my regular digital camera.

If it's a negative, you can scan it then make a negative of the image on your computer (negative of negative = positive). Most computer graphics/image programs can make a negative of the image. You can then print out a postive image if you wish.

For example, the below is regular old computer scan of a plastic negative with the image reversed to show it positive.

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Posted By: Anonymous

David,
Do you do anything special for your scans? I have tried to scan some magic lantern slides but they always come out fuzzy, which is odd because I scan graded cards (which are also somewhat removed from the scanner) with good clarity.

Adam B

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Posted By: Jeff Lowe

Hi thanks for taking a look at this slide . It kind of looks like a Magic Lantern Slide . I cant view it even with a bright light behind it . All I can tell is that its old and a baseball on there .


Thanks , Jeff

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Posted By: davidcycleback

3x5" is large enough to see if the image is clear when just looking through it. If the image is rough or out of focus, it won't get clear by enlargment. If the image is clear, then enlarging will bring out detail.

For photographing negatives, a digtal camera can fix focusing problems, as you can change the point of focus on a digital camera-- in fact, mine does it automatically.

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Posted By: Jeff Lowe

I noticed as I move it further from a light source I find the focal point ( about 6 inches away ) and it seems much clearer . Guess I need to experiment with the digital camera as suggested or some sort of projector .

Thanks , Jeff

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I'm no expert at this, but have done the experiments when photographic negatives and transparencies for resale. I once dropped off at the local drug store some original slides by a famous nature photographer and had 4x5 snapshots made. They came out pretty good.