How to Scan Negatives with Cheap Scanners

Ever try to scan a negative in a regular flatbed scanner and the image come out black? Well, I'm going to teach you how to scan those images without spending too much.

Things You'll Need

• Flatbed Scanner
• Negative (I'm using 35mm)
• Bright white light source (I'm using my sidekick's flashlight mode)

Instructions

1. 

   First gather all materials. I am using a dell 810 all in one scanner, a old negative I found in the basement and my sidekick (menu + f) for light. The light will probably be the trickiest part. As long as its doing the same general thing it should be fine.

2. 

   Here is an example of the kind of light you need for this.

3. 

   I put the sidekick on Flashlight mode (menu + f) and position the negative over the light.

4. 

   Place light and negative on scanner.

5. 

   This is what I got when I scanned. Your going to want to use a high dpi setting to get a quality scan.

6. 

   Finially, when you invert the image, you get the finished scan.

Tips & Warnings

• Use clean and smooth everything. My sidekick has scratched and the negative was buried under a mountain of filth so the quality is not going to be great.

• Build your own light box for over the negative, my goal is to make a huge proof sheet size box to use with the scanner.

• Film is slowly going away so get out there and shoot with it while you still can!