# Negative-to-digital converter for large format negatives **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 31, 2007, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774 "2007-10-31T20:30:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774/1 "2007-10-31T20:30:25Z")
[This](http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras/9a24/) site shows a typical device that converts 35mm slides or negatives to digital format. I have a big collection of 2.25x2.25 inch negatives that I’d love to get to digital format in my computer. However, Googling got me a huge number of hits, but they all seem to be for the same device, or others that take only 35mm Anybody know if there is such an animal that will take negatives larger than 35mm, and if so, where can find it? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774/2 "2007-10-31T20:38:07Z")
A lot of flatbed scanners come with software that esily converts negatives to positives. You’ll have to do some digging, though. It’s not a feature that’s usually advertised. Here’s an [add-on program](http://www.hamrick.com/) where you can even download a trial version. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774/3 "2007-10-31T20:53:06Z")
I have an [Epson 4490 Photo](http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?oid=53540925) scanner. It comes with brackets to be used for scanning transparencies, and one of them takes 2.25 x 2.25. It’s under $200 and also does a great job with reflective material. I have used it for 35 mm negatives with very good results (although if the negs haven’t been stored properly and are curved I get optical artifacts). It’s not hard to use but not as easy as a machine made specifically to autofeed negatives. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774/4 "2007-10-31T20:53:14Z")
I have a Nikon film scanner which can accomodate medium format film (120, 220, etc. for 6x4.5cm, 6x6cm and 6x9cm formats, among others) and I believe it can also handle 4x5-inch film but I don’t have anything that big so I might be mistaken. I’ll look up the model number when I get home tonight as I can’t seem to find it with some rudimentary googling. It was pricey, though. I got it second-hand on eBay and it was around $2,000. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774/5 "2007-10-31T22:49:23Z")
[QUOTE=CookingWithGas] [/QUOTE] Thanks, **Cooking** , that really looks good, and I don’t mind using a scanner. On Amazon it is a bit cheaper, and if don’t find anything better, will spring for that. **kunilou** , that program looked good. I have a Canon MP730 multi-function printer with scanner, and as you migh know, it is the only Canon one listed on their site that can’t use that program! Er, **friedo** , the Nikon sounds great, but at that price range it is a bit above my budget. Thanks anyway, but don’t bother looking up the model number. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774/6 "2007-11-01T01:33:56Z")
Look at the new Epson 700 series scanners - they support wet mounting. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2007, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-to-digital-converter-for-large-format-negatives/424774/7 "2007-11-01T03:53:01Z")
I have one of the Epson flatbeds with the backlight (which is what allows you to scan negatives), and the software it comes with (essentially the driver) will do the color conversion for you, so it’s a pretty easy way to go. Somehow I thought this thread was going to involve two’s complement. Anyone else?