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How Do You Put Film in a Scanner?

Published in Film Scanning 2 mins read

To put film in a scanner, you typically place the film into designated holders, ensuring the correct orientation before scanning.

Scanning film requires careful handling to get the best results. The specific process involves using film holders provided with your scanner, which help to keep the film flat and properly aligned.

Steps for Loading Film into a Scanner Holder

Based on best practices for scanning film, the general steps involve using a film holder and ensuring correct placement. The reference provides a key detail about orientation:

1. Prepare Your Film and Holder

Before you begin, make sure your film is clean and free of dust. Use a clean cloth or brush designed for film. Locate the appropriate film holder for the type of film you are scanning (e.g., 35mm strips, mounted slides).

2. Place Film in Holder

Carefully open the film holder. Position the film strip or slide within the designated slots or frames.

3. Orient the Film Correctly

A crucial step is orienting the film correctly within the holder. As mentioned in the provided reference, a common orientation for many scanners is:

  • Glossy side down
  • Matte side up

This orientation ensures the scanner light passes through the film emulsion (matte side) correctly for optimal image capture.

4. Secure the Film

Once the film is properly oriented in the holder, carefully close the holder to secure the film in place. Ensure the film lies flat and is not buckled or misaligned.

5. Load Holder into Scanner

Place the loaded film holder onto the scanner's glass bed or into the designated film scanning slot, following the scanner's instructions.

Once these steps are completed, you should be ready to proceed with the scanning process using the scanner's software.

Understanding the correct orientation is vital for achieving good scan quality.

Side Position in Holder
Glossy Side Down
Matte Side Up

Following these steps helps prepare your film for a successful scan.

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