If you are in the market for a 35mm film scanner, there are several options available to you. Depending on what you are looking for you can expect to pay from $ 100 to $ 1,500. There are many other options to choose from as well in terms of the features. Bit depth, editing options and the capabilities of the scanners can vary a lot. Below is a quick guide to help you pick out the best 35mm film scanner for you.

Of course one of the most important considerations is your budget. Unless you are a professional photographer, you should be fine with a lower end model. A lot of people are very happy with this level of scanner. The most important thing to keep in mind is these machines will not produce as high a quality of image as a high performance scanner will. When you are comparing other features and options on various 35mm film scanners, you will want to compare similar things. Examples are the resolution, bit depth, and the editing software that goes along with the different scanners you are considering.

Things like resolution and bit depth are what affects the quality of image. High resolution scanners give sharper pictures. The bit depth will affect the coloring of your images. Be sure that the software that comes with the scanner will do what you need it to. If your scanner doesn’t come with a full fledged editing program, be prepared to purchase additional software with it. If the scanner comes with good editing software with a user friendly interface, this will save you a lot of time and headaches and you are more likely to end up with digital images that you are happy with.

Additionally, check if your negatives have any level of damage. Something as simple as dust can cause big issues. If you film is damaged, you may need to look into having it restored before scanning it.

Take plenty of time to compare several models in your price rage to get the best fit for your needs.

For more help picking out a 35mm film scanner, click here