Pixmonix — Our 35mm Negative Scanning Services
35mm negative film is the most commonly used film format. The 35mm negative frame is 24mm x 36mm. The format of a 35mm negative strip is shown to the right. The roll of 35mm negative frames is usually cut into strips containing 4-6 frames for easy storage. When you send us your negatives for scanning to CD or DVD, we digitize them as when we convert 35mm slides to digital, but with important differences when converting negatives to digital images.
Step 1: Preparing 35mm Negatives
First, you send us your negatives using our slide and negative packing guidelines. Once we have received them, we start by cleaning the negatives using compressed air.
Step 2: 35mm Negative Scanning and Negative Digitizing
We scan 35mm negatives to digital with a high-resolution Nikon 5000 ED film scanner (not a flatbed scanner). We use dust and scratch removal technologies during scanning to make the digital images
shine. The scanning hardware and software converts the negative to the appearance of processed film prints.
Step 3: Post-Scanning Processing of 35mm Negatives
After negative scanning, we use post-scanning processing steps that assure you the highest quality digital image from your 35mm negatives. We perform color correction, exposure correction, and careful
hand cropping to remove any visible frame borders. On some images we employ grain and noise reduction techniques. This helps particularly on high-speed negative film (e.g., 400 ASA film) and on
underexposed negatives. Scanning negatives generally requires more post scan processing to achieve a good digital image.
Step 4: Delivery of Digital Images
After scanning and processing your 35mm negatives, we load all of the digital images to disc. We return your originals along with your CD or DVD of images using a trackable UPS shipping label. Your negatives are treated with the utmost care while they are in our hands.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Scanning Individual Frames of 35mm Negative Strips
We are happy to scan only selective frames on each 35mm film strip. When scanning individual frames from 35mm negative strips, we charge for a minimum of two frames per strip. Indicate the frames that you would like scanned by frame number (usually shown on the film below the images) on a separate sheet of paper for each roll. Alternatively, indicate your choices by writing on the storage sleeves that hold the negatives, however, be careful not to write through onto the negatives! If we have any questions about which frames you would like scanned from your 35mm negatives, we will contact you at the time that we do the negative scanning.
Scanning Black and White 35mm Negatives
We scan both color and black and white films. Please note that the automated dust and scratch removal technologies that we employ are not effective on traditional B&W film. Hence you should expect to see evidence of dust and scratches in the scanned images.
Scanning Uncut 35mm Negative Rolls
We are happy to scan uncut rolls for 35mm film.
Do You Work with Customers Outside the USA?
Yes! We regularly work with customers from all over the world. We have worked with customers from Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan and other locations. Shipping outside of the USA is a bit more expensive. We can use UPS or the US Postal Service Priority Mail services (your choice). We will reflect our actual shipping charges to you. You are responsible for customs/duty/brokerage charges on the shipments (both inbound and outbound). We try to minimize these fees/taxes by appropriately declaring the materials being shipped.
35mm Negative Films
35mm film was introduced in the 1930's and came into prominence in the 1960's. With the proliferation of inexpensive 35mm cameras in the 1970's and 1980's, 35mm negative film became the most commonly used film format. The 35mm negative frame is 24mm x 36mm, giving a good compromise between convenience and print qualities. The format of a 35mm negative strip is shown below. Most film processing includes cutting the roll of 35mm negative frames into strips containing 4-6 frames for easy storage.
35mm Negative Strip
Frame Size: 36mm x 24mm.
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877-387-3535
