The Best Way to Scan Film at Home

Shooting film brings so many joys to life. But one thing that can take that joy away is a poor or confusing scan result. If you are like me, and want to have a bit more control over the editing and finishing process of your images, then you might want to consider scanning film at home.

I have tried all of the most common at home film scanning solutions, Epson V600 flatbed scanners, specialty scanners, weird scanners, you name it. Overall, scanning your film at home might seem like a pretty daunting thing to try or invest into, but in this video, I will share with you what I think to be simply the best way to scan your film photos at home.
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Gear for At Home Scanning (DSLR)

Camera Gear I Use

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Time Stamps:
00:00 - Intro to Film Scanning
01:09 - Options for Scanning
03:28 - The Best at Home Method
06:42 - Reflection and Example Images
09:44 - Closing Thoughts

[valoico]

Wow! Thank you so much for such a positive review. This video looks amazing and love the results you´ve gotten!

-Tuomas/VALOI

[synlfo]

Great video. In the studio we have a Phaseone Heritage iHX system. Essentially the big boy version of what you have. Its a repro copy stand with lights, pressurized glass plate (to lay paper flat under) and light box for scanning transmissive materials (negatives). It comes with holders similar to the flextight ones, full metal and rubber. Although these dont bend. There are various versions of the camera but essentially its a 150mb camera in a metal incasing with changeable lenses and extension tubes. Everything is metal and incased. The image is split out into 3 channels. The whole system is for archiving to a set to a global standard for museums and libraries. Each session has to be calibrated for the material you are capturing. For white balance and grey point. If you really want to get into it, we even have a chart that is measured for sharpness and density prior to capturing negatives that has to be done and targets met. I love the quality of the negatives that come out of this. Although I feel drum scanning still is slightly better. Maybe more texture etc. But there is no denying that an over head system is so much quicker and efficient. I tried a system at home but in my place you need the space and there is so much dust. A drum scanner gets rid of most of the dust by its very nature. I may make a video of the process on the iHX for those interested.

[ZippyDChimp-mrtf]

I come from a film background. Started developing my film and enlarging before high school in the 70s. I was a holdover and didn't finally sell all my film gear until about 10 years ago. I'd gotten used to digital and found the right system for me to feel comfortable enough to do so by then. Six months ago I decided to get back into film and bought a TLR. I tried several local labs and finally found a mail in service that works for me. Still, I'd love to do my own scans but medium format film scanners are few and far between. This seems interesting to me but i've got this thing I can't quite get over and that is scanning a medium format negative onto a 35mm sized sensor. I know it probably has little to no effect on the final result but my boomer brain just can't quite get over it.

[collinausbury]

This video is awesome. This will be the first scanner I ever buy - thanks so much for all the detail you poured into this!

[PhilipBlystone]

Great video! Thank you for the amazing quality as always

[nathanwehrly]

Two words! vibey ✅ informational✅

Loved it!

[Ravenbunny]

Thank you for sharing your experience!! As someone who recently got into film photography and will eventually explore self-scanning, this gave me a clear picture of how easy — and fun — it is! You earned a new subscriber 🤝

[AWAShowme]

I just sent my first role of film to be developed - it's like waiting for a birthday present. Hopefully it's not garbage. Thanks for the content.

[danienelphoto]

I am building my mirrorless setup now - the Valoid stuff is unfortunately not available here in South Africa, so building something with a high CRI LED video light and still figuring out hte masking, but so far tests have been very good.

[hubertvachon]

I had the Plustek 8100 just as you. Now I scan using a similar method but with a DIY stand.

I use the Huion lightpad. I know it is less colour acurate but when I built it, the cinestill lightpad was not out yet. I might check it out. However I do mostly black and white so I doubt this is relevant.

Thanks for the video!

[GirdHerd]

I'm also using the Valoi 360 system to scan my 35mm and 120 (6x7) images with a Nikon D600 (24MP) and Nikon D850 (45MP). I have my laptop tethered to my DSLR using Lighroom Classic and Negative Lab Pro. My copy stand is a converted Beseler 23Cii XL enlarger. You're right - It takes me less than 5 minutes to scan an uncut roll of film. My next step is to buy the necessary equipment and chemicals to process my own film. Film shooting is expensive but I love the fact that it is more rewarding when that final product is a high quality image. Digital photography is almost too easy.

[shoelessone]

I have the Plustek 7300 and I could not agree with you more that the speed is painful. I think for me though scanning each frame one at a time, and the excitement of seeing one photo at a time sort of adds to the experience. Sort of like a slightly more modern version of putting a print from an enlarger in the developer.

I really appreciated the video and info on your scanning setup, I do think if I was shooting more than a 5 or 6 rolls a year (not much I realize) I'd probably look at something like your setup.

[ajayfay]

Hey, man, I have seen a ton of videos like this and they never actually teach you how to scan your film. What are you doing for exposure, how are you converting the negative image to color, and what do you do for focus? maybe there's a video I am missing, but also how do I know how far up or down I need to set up my camera? Super weird that everyone is like, get a copy stand use a DLSR, but that's it?? lol - I am a long-time film guy, but never scan outside of a flatbed, or my old Nikon cool scan for slides. And I bet using my DSLR would be much better resolution and quicker. I just need some more steps to get set up. I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Also, that video was Legit as far as color, styling, and whatnot. Loved the crushed shadows on the right side and the colors. Great work! Oh, and maybe tell us why you almost quit film? I'd like to hear that story. Since I basically almost quit digital. It would be interesting to hear about the journey.

[finn]

3:13 Fujifilm and Canon R aren't DSLR's? Since they don't reflect any mirror or lens input, but digitally reproduce this with a sensor instead of mirror? Question mark since im new to this and thats what i always believed :)

[andrewtongue]

Excellent overview...I'm going to head toward Valoi's website after dinner; the professional kit is one that appeals to me, but I'm going to ask: What software are you using to transition those negatives to positives ?
Best,
Andrew.