Medium Format 120 & Oversized Film Scanning Service

Medium Format Film Scanning FAQs

What sizes of medium format film can you scan?

We scan a wide range of medium and large-format film, including 120 and 127 film, 6×4.5, 6×6, 6×7, 6×8 and 6×9 negatives and transparencies. We can also scan panoramic 35mm film and larger film formats up to approximately A4 size.

Can you scan both medium format negatives and transparencies?

Yes. We scan both negative and positive film, including colour and black & white medium format film. Mounted and unmounted film can both be accepted.

What resolution do you use for medium format film scanning?

Our medium format film scanning service uses a resolution of up to 2400 DPI. Because medium format film has a much larger image area than standard 35mm film, this produces large, detailed digital files.

Should I choose JPG or TIFF for medium format scanning?

JPG is suitable for most customers and is ideal for viewing, sharing and normal printing. TIFF produces a larger lossless file and is generally the better choice if you intend to carry out further editing, archive the highest-quality master file, or produce larger prints.

Do you offer drum scanning for medium format film?

No. Mr Scan does not offer traditional drum scanning. We use high-quality CCD film scanners which can produce excellent results at a fraction of the cost of specialist drum scanning.

What is the difference between your scanning and drum scanning?

Drum scanning is a specialist process in which film is normally wet-mounted onto a rotating drum. It can reduce issues such as Newton rings and may produce slightly better results in some demanding professional applications. However, it is considerably more expensive and is usually unnecessary for normal family photographs, archives and most professional-quality digital copies.

Is drum scanning always better?

Not necessarily. Drum scanning can provide advantages for particularly demanding photographic, publishing or fine-art work, but for most customers the difference in the finished image may be very small. Our medium format scanning service is designed to provide an excellent balance between image quality and cost.

Why is drum scanning more expensive?

Drum scanning is a highly specialised and labour-intensive process. Individual frames normally have to be prepared and wet-mounted before scanning, which means specialist drum scanning can often cost around £15–£40 per image. Our CCD scanning service provides a much more economical option for customers with larger collections.

Do you remove dust and scratches from medium format film?

Where suitable, we use Digital ICE technology to help reduce dust and surface defects. We also use compressed air and carry out inspection as part of the scanning process. The results will always depend on the age and physical condition of the original film.

Do you colour correct old medium format film?

Yes. Our scanning workflow can include Digital ROC colour correction, Digital GEM grain reduction and Digital SHO technology for contrast and exposure adjustment where suitable.

Can you scan medium format film mounted behind glass or plastic?

Yes, in many cases we can scan film while it remains mounted. However, the best results are normally achieved without glass or plastic because this can reduce dust, reflections and focusing problems. If you want the film scanned without its mount or glass, this should be removed before sending it to us.

Can you remove film from glass mounts for me?

No. We cannot remove and remount medium format film from glass or plastic mounts as part of the scanning service. Cracked glass should also be removed before the film is sent to us.

Can you scan only selected frames from a medium format film strip?

No. Complete film strips must be scanned in full. Each individual frame on the strip is then supplied as a separate digital image.

Can you keep my medium format images in a particular order?

We cannot guarantee a particular scanning sequence. Medium format orders may be processed using multiple scanners, so images may not be supplied in exactly the same order in which they were received.

Can I try a medium format scan before placing a large order?

Yes. We strongly recommend using our free trial service before placing a large medium format order. Older film can vary considerably in condition, colour and exposure, so a test scan lets you see the likely results before committing to a larger collection.

Can you scan old 120 film to digital?

Yes. We regularly convert old 120 medium format negatives and transparencies into digital image files. Finished files can then be viewed, archived, edited, shared or used to create new photographic prints.