Another idea, depending on what you mean by digital pictures (since you also mentioned prints), is that you can scan your own slides as well. As already mentioned, dedicated digital slide scanners generally cost quite a bit. I really don't know much about scanning, but all the photos on my website were scanned using, not a dedicated slide scanner, but a flatbed Canoscan 6600 (model #?) costing less than $100. (My sister scanned these for me since I don't have a scanner.) Admittedly this isn't the best platform for scanning slides, but it works for images you intend to use on the internet or for e-mailing.
There are some tradeoffs, however, on using a flatbed vs. a dedicated scanner. The resolving power of flatbeds isn't very good and they don't handle contrast very well, so some slides that could be scanned very nicely on dedicated equipment won't produce very good images when scanned on a flatbed.
I don't believe Canon still makes this flatbed, but they will have others that probably do just as good for about the same amount of money. If you want to take a look at my website to check on image quality, copy and paste this link into your browser's address window: www.visi.com/~gdietzman .
One other note. Flatbeds don't always render color very well either, so some proficiency with a graphics program is useful as well. I use Paint Shop Pro 7, but Photoshop Elements or other programs are available for about a $100 or less that should also do the trick. I strive to reproduce the image as close to the actual color and exposure as the slide by adjusting color, brightness, and contrast.
Gordon Dietzman
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