Analog cameras might be outdated now, but many professional photographers are still using them for all the benefits that they offer. Most prefer them because they hold a nostalgic and a surprise element in them. But with the scarcity of darkrooms nowadays, it gets a little challenging to print the pictures from those format films.
In that case, what you are going to need is a scanner that is capable of digitizing the pictures. But with all the available options, getting the best scanner for medium format film will be a little hard for every photographer.
As you have found us, you will not have to worry about that anymore. We are going to guide you through, and hopefully, by the end, you will be able to settle with one of the best ones.
10 Best Scanner For Medium Format Film
The overabundance of scanners in the market will definitely make it challenging for you to sort the ones that are worth investing in. For your convenience, we went through the most popular ones and huddled a list with the worthy ones.
1. KODAK Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner
In your search for the best scanner for medium format film, you are going to stumble upon a plethora of devices. But not all of them are going to give you all the versatilities that this one from KODAK can offer.
To start with, it is an all in one unit for format film. You will not only be able to scan and view the photos but also edit, save, and convert the files directly with the device. Bringing back the old memories has never been this easier.
The device is compatible with a variety of films. It can work with old 110, 126, 135, monochrome negatives, super eight, and slider films. You will not have to worry about finding a darkroom service for digitizing your old photos anymore.
It comes with multiple adapters that will let you load the films into the device faster. They will also increase the compatibility and make converting the images easier for you. The unit will convert the age-old photos into bright, sharp, detailed-colored or black and white JPEG files.
Besides that, the unit will also be able to improve the overall quality of the photos with the adapters. It can enhance the total resolution up to 14/22 Mega Pixels. Alongside that, it will also offer you the functionality to improve the color, brightness, and fix the rotation.
The device is packed with a large 2.4 inches color LCD. It also has easy to use buttons on the body that will let you control the scanning progress with ease. There is 128 MB of internal memory, and you can increase the capacity by using a 32 GB SD card.
Lastly, it comes included with a three in one international power adapter that will let you easily power on the device.
2. Epson Perfection V600 Color
Because of getting in contact with moisture in the air, films tend to deteriorate over time. In that case, a scanner that can make sufficient enhancements can bring the photos back to life. If you were looking for such a unit, you should consider this one.
First of all, the device can enlarge film pictures substantially. It comes featured with an advanced scanner that utilizes a staggering 6400 x 9600 dpi for extending the photos up to 17 x 22 inches. Lower resolution imprints will not be any worries anymore with this.
It also comes featured with other image enhancement functionalities too. With those, it can remove the scratches and inlaid dust from the film. Alongside that, it can also remove the creases and tears that sometimes get scanned in the photos. You will get a decent quality of pictures from your format films.
The photo fix software that comes bundled with the device will let you do all sorts of enhancements on your photos. Its intelligent mechanism can restore faded colors and make the images vibrant again.
With the built-in transparency unit, it will be able to scan not only the medium format films but also slides and negatives. You will be able to work with those with one unit.
The scanner is highly efficient too. With the ready to scan LED light that it comes with, it will not have to warm up before making a scan. That means you will be able to digitize the images faster and be highly productive with this device.
It comes bundled with ArcSoft software that will let you enhance your photos. With that, you will be able to edit and improve the overall quality of the images. It will bring the life back to your age-old pictures.
3. DIGITNOW! 135 Film Negative Scanner
In the case of digitizing the old films, the units that come with a sliding feeder can make the task look like a piece of cake. If you were looking for such a device, then you should have a look into this one that is from DIGITNOW.
The device comes featured with an adjustable slider. It will let you quickly feed the films in the scanner and get you a digitalized JPG file right away. You will be able to go through a large volume of pictures at a minimal amount of time with this.
After scanning the films, the device will convert the scans from the 5/10 megapixel scanner to a JPG file. The JPG will be saved directly to an SD card. You will be able to install an SD card of your choice in the card slot. The maximum storage it can support is 32 GB.
It comes with a digital scanner that has an optical resolution of 1800 DPI. That means it will not only be able to digitize the films but also be able to get them in enhanced quality by retaining the quality and the colors accurately. You will be able to get well-detailed scans from this.
The device also comes featured with a USB 2.0 port that will let you convert the photos and display them directly to your TV screen. In this case, it only supports NTSC and PAL signals. With this feature, you will be able to sit with your family and get lost in a nostalgic family trip.
Other than that, it also comes with 2.4 inches TFT screen on the body. The display will show you the scans directly in real-time.
4. Epson Perfection V370
While going through all the scanner for medium format film reviews, you might want a flatbed scanner that can not just only scan photos but also text documents. In that case, you should put this one from Epson into your consideration list.
First of all, the device comes packed with a high-resolution scanner. The maximum optical resolution that it can scan at is 4800 dpi. With the 4800 x 9600 resolution, it will be able to offer the highest clarity in scanned photos. Overall, it will be able to read your age-old photos at a high-quality by preserving every little detail.
Alongside that, it comes with 3.2 Dmax mode and 48-bit color depth. That means the color profile will be exactly the same as the camera captured it. You will not have to worry about the scanner outputting photos with faded colors with this.
The device is extremely versatile too. It comes featured with a built-in transparency unit and a film holder that will be able to accommodate 35 mm films and slides. With this, the device will let you convert the old negatives that have been catching dust all this time without any extra adapters.
Besides that, it comes bundled with OCR software that will let you scan documents too. With that, you will be able to create PDFs that are going to be editable and fully searchable.
The device comes packed with ReadyScan technology. It does not require any warm-up session before starting a scan. With the no mercury LED lights, the scanner will be ready to read images the moment you turn it on.
Lastly, it can post-process the scanned photos automatically. This feature will remove the digital dust and noise from the scans and improve the overall quality of the images.
Going through the reels of age-old films can be quite tiring. In that case, a device that can digitize the picture quickly can make the task a lot easier. And, if you were looking for such a device, then you should have a look into this one from DIGITNOW.
The unit comes with a slider mechanism that can digitize all your medium format films within just a matter of seconds. It can convert one picture into a storage-friendly JPEG file in just 2 seconds.
This format is highly efficient and requires less amount of space. That means you will save not only time but also storage space with this.
Just like most of the other scanners that are available in the market, it also comes featured with an SD card slot. Because of this, it does not require any computers to operate. The slot can accommodate cards that are up to 32 GB. With that installed, the device will automatically store the scanned files into the local storage.
It also has some adjustment features built-in. After scanning, you will be able to fix the brightness of the image, adjust the color profile, and enhance the overall picture.
With the software that it comes featured with, it will be able to interpolate and bump the quality of the photo to up to 22 megapixels. You will be able to get detailed and quality enhanced pictures with this.
It also comes with a 2.4 inches color LCD that will let you preview the scans before you decide to save them. You can also connect it to a TV for viewing the images on a large screen. Lastly, it can also transfer the high-resolution JPEG files to your mobile and computers.
6. Epson Perfection V550 Color
While browsing through the scanner for medium format film reviews, you are going to find a plethora of devices that are going to be from various manufacturers. But not all of them will be able to enhance the photos the way that this one from Epson does.
The device comes featured with an innovative scanner that will be able to enhance the overall quality of your film substantially. It can scan at a staggering optical resolution of 6400 dpi, which can enlarge the photos to up to 17 x 22 inches. You will have crisp, sharp, and detailed images out of it.
This unit is exceptionally versatile too. It can scan not only medium format films but also 35 millimeters slides and negatives. You will be able to digitize most of your age-old photos with this.
With the digital ICE technology that it comes packed with, you will be able to restore your vintage photos with great details. It will be able to remove the typical scratches and the dust that gets inlaid in the films over time.
Alongside that, it will let you make one-touch adjustments that will allow you to restore the colors. With this, you will be able to enhance the faded colors and bring the life back to the photos.
It also comes featured with an advanced LED technology that makes the scanner ready within a matter of seconds. You will not have to wait for the machine to warm up as there is no mercury involved. With this, you will be able to scan and digitize your photos in no time at all.
Lastly, the feeder will let you scan multiple numbers of photos at one go. It will crop out the edges and save the images in individual files.
In the case of film scanners, the ones that come with a plethora of adapters will make the overall task smooth and hassle-free. If you were in the lookout for such units, then you should put this one into your consideration.
As we have mentioned, the device comes included with multiple adapters. Because of those, it can scan negative films, 35-millimeter slides, 126 and 126 KPK, and super 8 slides. These make the unit exceptionally versatile, and that is where it gets the all in one in its label.
It comes packed with an advanced 14 megapixels scanner that will be able to pick every particular pixel from your film. Your photos will come out crisp and highly detailed. Other than that, because of the built-in interpolation software, it can enhance that 14 megapixels capture to a staggering 22 megapixels image.
As the unit comes featured with a speed loader, feeding it with reel of films will be an easy task. You will not have to reload after each feed, and it will automatically scan the images one by one. This feature will save both your time and energy.
Just like all the other film scanners that are out there, it comes with a built-in SD card slot too. There is also an internal memory that will let you save the scanned photos without having to install a memory card. You will not have to connect it to a computer to make it operate.
It comes with a 2.4 inches color LCD that will let you view the scanned pictures directly on the screen. You can also connect it to your TV, computer, and mobile devices with the USB cable that it includes in the box. There is also a cleaning brush included.
8. DIGITNOW 22MP 128MB Built-in Memory
Most of the photographers will have a massive collection of film reels that need to be digitized. In that case, a scanner that can convert the images at a fast rate and has a convenient sliding mechanism can make the task feel effortless. An excellent example of those devices would be this one from DIGITNOW.
The device comes with a hassle-free sliding mechanism that can read multiple photos at one go. All you have to do is slide in the film and let the scanner do its thing. It will go through each of the images sequentially. You will be able to go through a large volume of photos at one go with this.
It can go through the films at a fast pace too. The device can convert 35 millimeters, 110, 135, 126 KPK, super 8 films, and negatives into JPEG format in just two seconds. You will not have to wait that long to digitize all your photos with this.
Just like the label suggests, it comes integrated with 128 MB of built-in memory that will let you save the scanned pictures instantly. You can also expand the overall capacity to 32 GB by installing a memory card in the SD card slot.
It comes with integrated software that will let you adjust the scanned pictures in the device. With that, you can customize the color profile of the image and fix the brightness. You will not have to connect it with a computer for these modifications.
Lastly, the device comes with a 2.4 inches display that will show you the scans in real-time. You can also connect it to your tv or transfer the high-resolution files directly to your computer or mobile devices.
9. KODAK Mobile Film Scanner
Being a vintage professional photographer, you might want to scan some of your photos and see how they came up. In that case, something that is portable and has a convenient design can make the process extremely easy. If you were looking for such a device, you should take a look into this one from KODAK.
The unit comes with a collapsible design that will let you easily carry it with you in your backpack. To set it up, all you have to do is fold the tray and platform. The body is made from cardboard, which keeps the overall weight to a bare minimum.
Also, it has a super bright LED internal backlight that powers on by two AA batteries. The light will illuminate the films that you put on it.
It does not come included with a built-in display or anything of that sort. Instead, you have to use your smartphone to read the pictures. The top of the housing has a smartphone placement area with a camera hole.
To scan the films, you have to install the bundled app, put your phone on the top housing, slide the pictures in, and turn on the light.
The device is compatible with most of the films. You will be able to read the old 35 mm color film, black and white films, and color slides through the smartphone. Bringing back old memories has not been this easier.
As the device operates through the mobile app, it does not have any storage option or any built-in storage. You will be able to do most of the tasks with the app itself. From sharing the pictures, saving them in your local folder, and editing them, all of it can be done in the app.
10. Wolverine Titan 8-in-1
We are going to finish off our scanner for medium format film reviews with this unit from Wolverine. If you were looking for a device that comes with a large screen for easy previews, then you should check this unit out.
Instead of integrating scanners with small preview screens, the manufacturer integrated a large 4.3-inch colored LCD into this device. With that, you will be able to see your photos in a high resolution without having to connect the unit with a TV or computer.
But, if you want to preview the images on a large screen to have quality time with your family, there is an HDMI port for that. You can use that to connect the device with a TV, computer, or a mobile device.
It does not require any other device to operate or save the scanned files. There is an SD card slot in which you will be able to insert a memory card with capacity up to 32 GB. It will scan and store the images directly to that card. You can move those high-resolution pictures to another device by simply transferring the memory card.
The device comes with a fast-loading slide mechanism that will let you quickly push the films in it. It can scan at a fast rate too. You will be able to save each slide within three seconds. That means you will not have to wait that long to digitize the entire reel of old photos.
Besides that, it comes with a 20 megapixels scanner that will read the films that you insert. The pictures that the device saves are of pretty high-resolution and well detailed. You will be able to bring back life to your old photos with this.
What to Look for Before Buying?
By now, you probably know what you can expect from a decent scanner in the market. Alongside that, you should also keep some factors in mind before you make a purchase. These points will let you scrutinize the devices efficiently. They are:
Compatibility
While going through the scanners, you should check if the units are compatible with medium format films or not. If the device does not support these types of films, you are going to have to go through the hassle of finding an adapter to scan your medium format films.
In this case, what you should look for before making a purchase is that if the scanner can accommodate 120 films or not. If they can not, then you should steer away from those devices.
Color Depth
The color depth in the case of photo scanners is important. It is also known as bit depth because the measurement is in bits. The analysis is done by adding the three primary color channels of the image, which are red, blue, and green.
In this case, the higher the number, the more color the scanner will be able to retain from the scan. That means, with more bit depth, the pictures will be more vivid and colorful. The devices that come with a higher color depth will be able to bring the life back to your age-old photos.
Usually, most of the scanners will come with a 16 bits color channel. They will be good enough for typical scans. But many will have 48 bits, and these will have a wider color gamut. With those, your images will turn out more nuanced and will have smoother gradations.
Resolution
The optical resolution is an important factor in the case of film scanners. With more resolution, the device will be able to output a sharp image that will have excellent clarity. It is generally denoted by DPI, and the more the DPI, the better. The minimum optical scanning resolution a photo scanner should have is 1200 DPI.
Other than that, there is hardware resolution that you should factor in too. As long as the optical resolution is high, you will not have to worry about the hardware resolution. But if the device only states the hardware resolution, you should opt for something that is higher than 10 Megapixels.
The Feeder
In the case of photo scanners, the feeder plays a crucial role in making the overall process smooth. The ones that will come with an easy to feed mechanism will make the task feel like taking a walk in the park. That is why you should consider the feeder of the unit before you make a purchase.
Other than that, you should also check whether the feeder comes with an automatic mechanism or not. The automatic feeder will make it easier for you to handle multiple numbers of films at one go. With those, you will be able to go through an entire reel much faster than any other device.
Dmax
Some of the units will state how much DMAX the device is capable of retaining. It basically refers to the amount of detail and optical density a scanner can record in the shadows of negatives and highlights of positives. The higher the number, the greater the ability to reproduce the detail that is in the shadows.
In this case, we would recommend you to go for anything that is higher than 2.5. Those devices will be able to retain the details in the shadows and give you an image that will not be that dark.
Storage Options
The storage option is something that you should also consider while buying a scanner. In this case, you should see if the scanner that you are opting for comes with internal storage or not.
Most of the scanners will come with 128 Megabytes of built-in storage. Those devices will let you store the scanned files without any need for external storage devices.
Other than that, you should also consider the overall limit of external storage. Most of the devices will have 32 GB of maximum capacity. These will let you save many files without the need for emptying the SD card.
The Screen
While going through the options of scanners, you should check the quality and overall size of the screen. The larger the screen, the more details you will be able to see in the scanned images.
Most of the devices will come with a display that will be around 2.5 inches. On the other hand, some will come with a staggering four inches screen. Those will let you adequately view the images without the need for external displays.
Other than the size, you should also consider the overall quality of the screen. In this case, the viewing angle of the screens will matter the most.
Connectivity Options
You should also consider the connectivity ports on the device. If the device does not feature any, then you will not be able to connect to other devices directly, and transferring the files will be a bit of a hassle. In this case, for moving the scanned files directly, you should check if the device comes with a USB port or not.
Other than that, if you want to connect the device with external displays such as TV, computers, and other mobile devices, you should check whether there is a display port out or not. Generally, the scanners will come with an HDMI port that will let you connect it directly to external displays.
Enhancement Features
The higher-end devices will come packed with some sort of image-enhancing technology that will automatically increase the quality and the details to a substantial amount.
They will also correct the color profile and make the pictures crisper and highly detailed. These features will come in handy if you are planning to use your old camera professionally.
Besides that, you should also check whether the scanner comes with dust-reduction technologies or not. This feature will significantly cut down the additional time that you have to spend on cleaning the photos.
But, even if the scanner comes with this feature, you should always clean the negatives with compressed air, blower, or cloth before the scan to get optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which are the medium format cameras?The cameras that use 120 film size or has a digital image sensor that mimics that exact size is called medium format cameras. These photos are comparatively smaller than large format films, which is 127 film sizes but are substantially larger than 135 films.
2. Is 35mm medium format?No, 35 millimeters films are not medium format. The 120 films are the ones that are called medium format.
3. Why is medium format better than 35mm?Medium format films are better than 35-millimeter films because of the image quality and size. These can capture an enlarged picture without compromising on the overall details of the image. Also, many prefer these types of prints because of the finer details and less apparent grains that they have.
4. Is medium format larger than full-frame?Yes, medium format is substantially larger than full-frame sensors. However, they are smaller than the large format.
5. Is medium format film better than digital?Over the time period, digital has been improving and is offering an overall high-quality picture. However, medium format films are generally cheaper than digital, and they can still provide a tremendous amount of detail and sharpness. So, if we are talking about value, we would say that the medium format is better than digital.
Final WordsAfter going through the entire article, we hope that it is now easier for you to choose the best scanner for medium format film among all the available options. We would like to end it here by wishing you good luck and hoping that all your pictures come out sharp and highly detailed.
