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How to Import 35MM Film to a Computer

Importing your 35mm film negatives to a computer opens up a world of options for your photographs. Once your negatives are transformed into digital files they can be shared, printed and edited just like regular digital photographs. This saves storage space and preserves memories from the deterioration of film. Importing your 35mm negatives at home is possible with most flatbed scanners--your scanner may already be designed to help you with this job.

Things You'll Need

35mm film negatives
Flatbed scanner with negative scanning capability
Lint- and dust-free cloths

Instructions

- 1
  Check your scanner for film scanning capability. Many scanner models have this feature. Your scanner may require you to lay the negatives directly on the flatbed or it may come with a special negative carrier for inserting the film.
- 2
  Wipe the scanner with a clean, dust-free cloth to remove any debris. This will save editing time later.
- 3
  Wipe the negatives with a clean, dust-free cloth. Lay the negatives in flat, straight rows across the scanner glass. If your scanner came with a negative carrier, measure your negatives and carefully trim them to the carrier's size. Align the sprocket holes in the film with the spokes on the carrier and snap the carrier closed.
- 4
  Insert the negative carrier or close the flatbed scanner gently over the rows of negatives.
- 5
  Select the option for film scanning. This can be found on your scanner control panel or in your scanner's software. This converts data from each negative into a positive image, much like a digital print.
- 6
  Save your scanned images individually to your image library. Repeat steps 2 to 5 until all of your negatives have been scanned.

Photography