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How to Convert B&W Film with Scanners

Using a dedicated film scanner to convert black and white film negatives into digital files will create a digital file that can be used for printing or posting to online galleries and websites. Black and white film is still used by a number of amateur and professional photographers who prefer film over digital cameras. Converting those negatives will also give you another version of an archived original to complement your black and white film negative. There a number of scanners available and the better the scanner, the better the end result.

Things You'll Need

Anti-static cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Turn on your computer and scanner. Launch the scanner software on your computer.
- 2
  Use an anti-static cloth to prepare your negatives for scanning by gently holding the cloth and running the strip of negatives through it. This cloth will not only remove any dust and minor dirt from your negatives but it will also help prevent dust from collecting on the negative during the scanning process.
- 3
  Insert the negative strip into the film carrier that came with your scanner. Consult the scanner's manual to confirm which side of the negative should be facing toward the scanner's sensor. The dull side of a negative is the side with the film emulsion on it and is usually the side that goes down in the film carrier.
- 4
  Insert the film carrier into the film scanner and press the "Start" button on the scanner or in the software to commence the scan. Repeat the process with each strip of negatives until they are all scanned.

Photography