Each 35mm film frame takes nearly 4 minutes to scan at max res, but 3,600dpi is more than adequate for most film stocks and you’ll have a scanned frame in 1 minute 20 seconds. This does however mean the 8100 is no speed demon. It’s also a real optical film scanner and not just a digital camera sensor in a scanner body. This is the baby of the OpticFilm range, yet it still boasts a respectable 7,200dpi maximum scanning resolution. Slow at max resolution -Not the best at shadow detail -No auto dust/scratch removal Available at a fraction of the cost of the other scanners, it provides a secure means of illuminating and holding your film so that you can scan it with a DSLR or mirrorless camera (and ideally a macro lens). If you want something affordable and have a digital camera already, then check out the Pixl-latr. If you're after something that'll scan multiple film frames automatically, though, and has the versatility to scan photo prints and documents, Epson's V550 Photo flatbed scanner is a great choice. So what's the best film scanner? Right now, we think it's the OpticFilm 8100 from film scanning expert Plustek: it extracts phenomenal levels of detail from your film, is backed up by excellent included scanning software, and it's sensibly priced. There's a huge used camera market and a surprising amount of know-how and expertise around classic film cameras. We've also got a guide to the best film cameras around too if you need a new SLR or large-format camera. Once you've got your scanner working, you may find yourself with the urge to start shooting film again check out our guide to the best film to buy.

See also Best scanners for documents & photo prints | Best VHS to DVD converters.

This is hugely important when it comes to scanning film! Be aware that if you're using a regular flatbed scanner, you may need to pick up an additional holder so that it can keep the film completely flat. It's also the better choice if you know you're going to be scanning other things as well as film, like documents.

There are plenty of cheaper scanners that can get through rolls of negatives very quickly, or more expensive ones that will take longer, but reward you with a high-quality file, resolving every point of grain.Ī regular flatbed scanner, on the other hand, is more general-purpose, and can be useful if you've got boxes of old slides or prints that you want to revitalise and bring into life. Film scanners are designed specifically for handling negatives, which is always what you should be scanning from if possible. In this guide, we're going to be looking at two main types of scanner: dedicated film scanners, and general flatbed scanners.

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