Typically flatbed scanners SHOULD NOT be used to scan slides. A slide scanner does a better job scanning slides and negatives than a flatbed scanner. In one area alone, resolution, the flatbed scanner falls far short: A good slide scanner needs 1800 dpi or more of optical resolution, but consumer flatbed scanners usually have 300 dpi of optical resolution. Note that I’m referrring to optical measurements, not the claimed resolution, which is nearly always exaggerated.