This is a timely thread . I've just begun archiving my 35mm slides using a Nikon 9000 scanner.

The first batch of 15 I've scanned date back to 1971 and are Kodachromes and Afgachromes. They were stored in the original slide trays and stored in the basement for the last 20 years. Despite this the colors, contrast etc have held up surprisingly well. If pressed for a number I would say the worst are at least 80% of the originals.

The files I'm getting (JPGs) are 60 megs at 8 bit and twice that at 16 bit scanning at its max resolution of 4000.

A question on scanning practice. Is it standard (good) practice to leave the output size the same as the input size (aprox 24mm x 35 mm)? I ask because I don't understand what happens to the file size when I go to print lets say an 8x 10 of the slide and have to resize because the file becomes so big. I hope the question makes sense.