Film is not dead! See your negatives like you never seen them before with a premium film drum scan.
What is a drum scan?
Drum scanning film negatives is a meticulous and sophisticated process that offers unparalleled results in capturing the intricacies and details of analog film images. By placing the film negative onto a precision rotating drum, the scanner's high-resolution sensors capture a series of finely calibrated images as the drum rotates. This method ensures that every tiny nuance, from the subtlest shades of tone to the tiniest specks of dust, is faithfully replicated in the resulting digital image. The drum scanning process retains the film's original dynamic range, allowing for exceptional tonal accuracy and preserving the delicate balance between highlights and shadows. The extraordinary level of detail captured through drum scanning makes it a preferred method for professionals seeking the utmost in image quality and fidelity, particularly for archival purposes or large-scale reproductions.
Benefits of a drum scanned film negative
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Resolution
Pixels! Pixels! Pixels!
With a drum scan, your film, depending on the size, is scanned up to 11,000 dpi with our Heidelberg Tango. Negatives can be 24,000 pixels on the long side. With this many pixels, you can truly print large formats without sacrificing any detail. A 35mm film negative can be enlarged easily to a 24”x36” print.
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Dynamic Range
With a drum scan, the Tango scans every piece of grain on the emulsion. With that scale, the image you see with a drum scan is drastically different from a typical lab scan.
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Color Tonality
Drum scanning your film negative will bring out gradients of color that you wouldn’t normally see. There is less banding from a drum scan and the colors are a bit more neutral compared to other scanners that put a specific color profile on the file.
High Resolution Film Drum Scanning
We see so many new photographers diving into film. With the power of our high resolution scanners, we can make your film negatives rival digital files. The details is incredible and you can make large prints comfortably. We offer dry mounting and wet mounting scanning. Let us show you the power of our drum scanner and get your film negatives print ready for your gallery showing!
This gif shows a 6x7 Kodak Portra 160 negative drum scanned and zooming in. As it zooms into the eye, you can see myself in the reflection holding the camera. I call this, “the Secret Selfie”!
Lab Scans vs Drum Scans
Some examples of the quality of lab scans compared to the drum scans. Not only that the drum scans are higher resolution, but also higher DPI (Dots Per Inch). The details in the highlights and shadows are brought out in great detail in the drum scans compared to an average lab scan. With the resolution and pixel size, an average medium format (120) scan is equivalent to 600+ megapixels.
When it comes to film scans, there are two popular options: lab film scans and drum film scans. Labs typically use high-quality scanners that offer impressive resolution and dynamic range. On the other hand, drum film scans are done using a specialized machine. Drum scanners provide exceptional detail and color accuracy, making them a preferred choice for professionals and enthusiasts seeking the highest level of quality. Both lab film scans and drum film scans have their advantages, but the main difference lies in the control and customization. With lab film scans, you rely on the expertise and technical knowledge of the lab technicians, whereas drum film scans allow for greater control and adjustments, providing an opportunity for meticulous tweaking and perfecting the final image. Ultimately, the choice between lab film scans and drum film scans depends on individual preferences and the desired level of involvement in the scanning process.
Highlight Detail Comparison
Left: Lab Scan
Right: Drum Scan
100% Zoom
Left: Lab Scan
Right: Drum Scan
Shadow Detail Comparison
Right: Drum Scan
Left: Lab Scan
100% Zoom
Left: Lab Scan
Right: Drum Scan
Drum Scanning Services
Drum Scanning Pricing
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$30 per frame | 8K dpi | 600MB File
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$45 per frame | 6K dpi | 1.2GB File
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$60 per sheet | 4K dpi | 1.8GB File
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$80 per sheet | 3K dpi | 2.0GB File
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$120 per sheet | 2K dpi | 2.2GB File
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Fine Dust Cleanup $10 per drum scan
Rush Development $10 per roll
Rush Scans $10 per roll / $25 per drum
Manual Color Correction 25% of order
*Discounts available for orders of six frames or more