Method 1: Flatbed Scanner (Best Quality)

  1. 1

    Get a scanner with a transparency unit

    Not all flatbed scanners can scan negatives — you need one with a built-in light source in the lid (transparency adapter) and a film holder. Recommended models in Australia: Epson Perfection V39 ($150–200), V550 ($250–350), or V600 ($450+) for professional results. The V39 handles 35mm negatives and slides; the V550 and V600 also handle medium format.

  2. 2

    Place negatives in the film holder

    Cut the negative strip to fit the provided plastic film holder (usually 4–6 frames per strip for 35mm). The holder holds the film flat and at the correct distance from the scan surface — do not skip this as curved film produces blurry scans. Handle negatives by the edges only — fingerprints permanently damage them.

  3. 3

    Scan at 1200–2400 DPI

    Open the scanner software (Epson Scan 2 or similar). Select Film (Negative) as the document type. Set DPI: 1200 for web sharing and small prints, 2400 for larger prints, 4800 for archival quality. Scan in 48-bit colour for maximum colour data. Preview, adjust colour and contrast if needed, then scan and save as TIFF (for editing) or high-quality JPEG.

Method 2: Phone + Lightbox (Budget Option)

  1. 4

    Use a lightbox or a bright screen as a backlight

    A dedicated lightbox ($30–80) or a white-screened iPad or tablet on maximum brightness works as a backlight. Place the negative on the light source. Take a photo with your phone or camera directly above, perpendicular to the negative.

  2. 5

    Use an app to invert and correct colour

    Dedicated apps: NEGAFIX, FilmLab (paid, excellent quality) or Negative Lab Pro (Lightroom plugin for serious photographers). These handle the complex colour inversion needed to turn orange-masked colour negatives into correct-colour positive images. The orange mask on colour film makes simple photo inversion produce incorrect colours.

Method 3: Professional Lab

For large quantities or important photos: send to a professional scanning lab. In Australia: Decade Film (Melbourne), Republic of Film (multiple cities), and many camera stores offer scanning services. Costs $0.50–3 per frame depending on quality. High-volume or valuable negatives are worth the professional option.

Storing negatives after scanningStore originals in acid-free negative sleeves (available from camera stores and archival suppliers). Keep in a cool, dry, dark location — avoid attics and garages which have temperature and humidity extremes. A filing cabinet in a temperature-controlled room is ideal. Well-stored negatives last 50–100 years; poorly stored ones deteriorate in decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

35mm film (the most common) produces a 24x36mm negative frame — the format used in most film cameras from the 1960s onward. Medium format film (120 and 220 roll film) produces larger negatives (6x4.5cm, 6x6cm, 6x7cm etc) from larger professional cameras — the larger negative captures more detail and scans at much higher effective resolution. The Epson V550 and V600 handle both 35mm and medium format; the V39 handles only 35mm.
Yes — the same flatbed scanner with transparency adapter handles slides. Slides are positive images (the orange mask and inversion process are not needed), so they are simpler to scan — what you see on the slide is what you get. Use the same high DPI settings. Slide film (Kodachrome, Ektachrome, Fujichrome) often has beautifully saturated colours and sharp detail when scanned well.