digital images of type specimens

[LINGAFELTER STEVEN WAYNE]

Doug, et al.,
        Along a similar thread, I took a bunch of slides of types and was
disappointed to find them all very dark.  Some color and most structures
are visible, but these aren't good enough to use to answer many questions
about these taxa.  Is there affordable software that is available to
capture some of the hidden information?  In other words can I refine
the dark areas into a broader spectrum of colors via some digital
manipulation?  The last question, how do you scan a slide?  Do you need
special hardware, or can you just place it on a scanner?
Thanks,

Steve
 ============================================================================
Steve Lingafelter                       Phone/Fax: (913) 832-2454
Snow Entomological Museum
Snow Hall                               Email: lingafel at falcon.cc.ukans.edu
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas, 66045