How Does a Photo Scanner Scan 35mm Film?

Basics

Photo scanners, traditionally flatbed scanners, work by shining light through a glass plate onto the photo and recording and digitizing the image. This image then can be manipulated on a computer using software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. For a flatbed to scan film, it must have a light source above the glass plate that puts light through the negative or slide so the scanner can "see" the image. Not all flatbed scanners have this option.

How It Works

Some flatbed scanners have masks in which you place 35mm film strips or individual slides. These fit over the glass plate and hold the film flat. In the cover door of the scanner, there is a light source. Usually, there is a pressure plate that is removed from this to allow the light to project through the film. In other flatbed scanners, there is a motorized door in the top of the lid that opens. You feed the film strip into this. This will not work for mounted slides.

The Benefits

Originally, flatbed scanners did not scan film as well as dedicated film scanners. These days, they work nearly as well and have the advantage of being able to batch scan, either a strip or an entire roll. This is a fast way of digitizing years of film. Since most scanner software allows you to scan at high resolutions, you can get the most out of your negatives and slides.