Negative Film Scanning

We scan select negative film types and convert them to true-color positives—with expert Photoshop work included. Use the guide below to see what we scan, what we don’t, and how negatives become beautiful final images.

YES — 120/Medium Format Negatives

Sample 120 medium format negatives laid out on light background — Identify 120 negatives by their wide strips and frame size.

YES — Disc Camera Negative Reels

Round Kodak-style disc negative reel with multiple tiny frames — We handle disc negative reels with care and proper color reversal.

NO — Certain Other Negative Types

Example strip of color negative film that we do not currently accept — Some negative formats are not accepted at this time.

How Negative Film Works

When a camera exposes negative film, light passes through the lens aperture and creates a reversed image on the film. With black-and-white film, light areas in the scene become dark on the negative, and dark areas become light. With color negative film, hues are inverted as well. During printing—or when we scan and digitally process your film—those values are reversed back to the correct, positive image.

Our workflow includes careful color reversal and premium Photoshop adjustments on every scan to bring your images closer to what they looked like when they were taken. We also scan glass plate negatives and positives.

Color Negative vs. Reversal (Slide) Film

Color-negative films produce color negatives, which are traditionally printed onto photographic paper. Color-reversal films (slides) produce transparent positives that look like the original scene and are often mounted for projection. Both can be digitized, but they require different handling and settings to achieve accurate, natural-looking results.

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