How do I convert film negatives to digital images?

Answer 1

To add to the previous answers...flatbed scanners are indeed normally considered the 3rd in line for general scanning quality. Drum transfer is the best and costliest. Dedicated film scanners are traditionally considered the best for the prosumer who saves money doing it themselves. BUT, there are definitely some flat-bed scanners that are BETTER than some dedicated film scanners.

The one downside to getting a dedicated film scanner is...well...that's all it does. :) The flatbed scanners I list below have shaken things up in the scanning world, and offer scan qualities that are better than some dedicated film scanners. They can scan multiple negative sizes, slides, and have frames that can hold multiple negatives (and software that can save images to separate files).

If you have *alot* of film negatives, and don't want to compromise on image quality, I would consider the Epson Perfection V700 flat-bed scanner. Here's its biggest advantage. You can scan 24 negatives all at the same time. That's an entire roll at once. For me, it's HUGE time savings, and that's important. It scans to 6400dpi, and more importantly, it captures a *very* impressive optical density.

The Epson 4990 is not as capable on image quality...but it's not nearly as expensive either.

If you are not an avid photographer, and simply want a cost effective home solution, for the lower-cost option, I would consider nothing lower than the Epson Perfection 4490. It's color depth is not terrific. But it's better than some dedicated film scanners. It's done really well in reviews.


When evaluating photoscanners. Be sure to evaluate not only resolution, but optical density.

Almost as an aside, I will add that all of these will make excellent document scanners as well. It's kind of funny that I put it this way bcs a few years ago, scanning photographs would have been a side comment for a document scanner, as a sort of trivial accessory. Now, the way I see it, document scanning is kind of a trivial accessory, and photography scanning is the prime use for it. But if you have a home office, having a document scanner around is very useful for one-off prints and scan-to-pdf functionality.

Answer 2

The only way to do this is to scan the negative. You have some choices in how you accomplish this:

- Flat bed scanner - The most accessible scanner, but will yield the poorest results, especially for small negatives. Try to find a higher end scanner like an epson with a transparency adapter.

-Film scanner-These are usually dedicated for 35mm size, although the Nikon 8000 can do medium format. These will give you better results than the flatbed. Look at your local community college for one of these. Try to scan at the highest resolution the scanner can produce, in 16 bits if possible, and save as a TIFF.

-Drum scan - This has to be done at a photolab and is expensive ($20-40/image.) This will give you the very best result. But it adds up fast.

How you scan is as important as what you use to scan the image.
There are two schools of thought on this:

The targeted scan and the master scan.

The targeted scan makes an image the same dpi as the print-ie
300 dpi. This will give you a file that can be printed up to 11x14, depending on the quality of the original image. They are cheap scans, usually done as jpgs.

The master scan makes an image that is the highest resolution the scanner can produce, usually in 16 bits and saved as a TIFF file.
From this file you can produce prints of any size generally, again depending on the original quality of the image and the limitiations of your equipment. This scan will come from a Nikon type film scanner or a drum scanner. It is expensive on its face, however since you can work on a copy of the originial file (always save the original files and work on copies), and size it any way you want, you have a master file of the image that you only retouch once, regardless of purpose. So today you might want an 8x10 print of the image, but next year you might need a billboard sized print. You can make both from this scan. So in the long run it saves both time and money.

I have my very best images drum scanned, while using the tabletop film scanner for others. That flat bed is really not a good choice, but has worked in a pinch. It is fine for work that it going to be placed online but not printed.

Good luck, keep shooting.

Answer 3

Some scanners can convert film negatives to digital images. I'm not sure of any other way.

Answer 4

There are scanners that do that but be careful which ones you pick. Typically those that have it as an attachment to a flatbed do not scan too well and the scanners used specifically for film are pretty pricey. If you're only going to do it once, go to a professional photo and imaging place (I would ask the local camera store for where to go in your city). If you're willing to invest in a scanner check B&H (www.bhphotovideo.com) and I believe UMAX makes a good line of film scanners.

Answer 5

Why would you want to do that? The print quality will be no better and probably worse from the film negative than it would be from the original digital file.

Answer 6

The cheapest way to do it is when you have your film processed order a CD with it. If you don't order it at the time you can have them loaded later but it's like ordering a reprint, they charge you per image you load. I know at wal-mart if you order it with your roll it's like $3, if you do it as reprints it is .29 cents per negative.

Answer 7

ask KINKOS they know everything