The Complete Guide to 35mm Negative Scanning in the UK
Everything you need to know about digitising 35mm film negatives: resolution, restoration, delivery options, turnaround times, and how to preserve your memories long-term.
What Are 35mm Negatives?
35mm film is one of the most common photographic formats ever used. It was popular from the 1960s through to the early 2000s, and each roll typically contains 24 or 36 frames. Negatives often hold more detail than old photo prints and can be rescanned for higher quality results.
Why You Should Digitise 35mm Negatives
- Film deteriorates: colours fade, dust and scratches build up, and storage damage can worsen over time.
- Prints are lower quality: negatives usually contain the original full-detail image.
- Easy sharing and backup: store in the cloud, copy to USB, and share with family instantly.
DIY Scanning vs Professional Scanning
Home scanning (DIY)
DIY options include flatbed scanners, budget “film scanners”, or DSLR/camera scanning rigs. These can work for small batches, but colour accuracy and dust removal are often limited, and scanning large collections takes a lot of time.
- Pros: low upfront cost, good for hobbyists.
- Cons: time-consuming, inconsistent colour, limited dust/scratch reduction.
Professional scanning (recommended for most people)
Professional services use dedicated film scanning workflows, calibrated colour correction, and quality control. This is especially valuable for older negatives, faded colour film, or large family archives.
- Pros: higher quality, better colour, proper dust removal, faster overall.
- Cons: costs more than DIY, requires drop-off or posting.
What Resolution Should You Choose?
Resolution affects sharpness and print size. For most people, 2400–3200 DPI is a great balance of quality and file size.
| Resolution | Best for |
|---|---|
| 1200–2400 DPI | Email, social media, small prints |
| 2400–3200 DPI | Most family archiving, prints up to A4 |
| 4000 DPI+ | Archiving for large prints, maximum detail |
Colour Correction and Restoration
Good scanning isn’t just “taking a picture” of the negative. The key step is converting the negative to a natural-looking positive image with correct colour and exposure. Restoration can also reduce the impact of dust and scratches and bring old, faded negatives back to life.
How Are 35mm Negatives Delivered?
Most customers choose cloud delivery for speed, or a USB stick for a physical copy. File formats are usually JPEG (standard) or TIFF (archive quality).
- JPEG: perfect for sharing and everyday use.
- TIFF: best for archiving, editing, or professional workflows.
Turnaround Times
Turnaround depends on quantity and required enhancement. Small orders are often completed within days, while larger collections may take longer. If you have a deadline, it’s always worth mentioning it when you book.
How Much Does 35mm Negative Scanning Cost in the UK?
Pricing typically varies by resolution, volume, and restoration level. Be cautious of extremely cheap services—quality and handling standards can vary widely, and negatives are irreplaceable.
How to Prepare Your Negatives
- Keep negatives in sleeves/envelopes where possible.
- Label any important batches (dates, events, people).
- Avoid aggressive cleaning or chemicals—dust is normal and can be safely handled in a scanning workflow.
FAQ
What’s the best DPI for 35mm negatives?
For most family collections, 2400–3200 DPI is ideal. Choose 4000 DPI+ for maximum detail or large prints.
Are negatives better than old photo prints?
Usually yes. Negatives often contain more detail than prints, and a good scan can produce sharper, cleaner images.
Should I choose JPEG or TIFF?
JPEG is great for sharing and everyday viewing. TIFF is best for archiving and editing, but files are much larger.
Do you offer cloud delivery?
Yes — many customers prefer cloud delivery for fast access, and USB is also available if you want a physical copy.
Can I post my negatives to you?
Yes — we provide a UK-wide postal service, and we’re also available for local drop-off in Farnham, Surrey.
About Mr Scan Ltd
Mr Scan Ltd is a UK digitisation studio based in Farnham, Surrey, specialising in scanning and converting: 35mm negatives, slides, APS film, VHS, Hi8/Video8, MiniDV and cine film.