Your negatives already contain the photograph. Scanning translates that small piece of film into a digital file you can see, print, share and preserve.
A large file is helpful, but pixel count alone does not make a meaningful scan. Film condition, focus, tonal range, colour interpretation, cropping and careful handling all affect the result.
Our film-strip scanning service is for already-developed negatives and transparencies. Each strip is handled individually and receives basic manual exposure and colour adjustment. Current high-resolution delivery is 8000 pixels on the longest side; the final proportions depend on the original film format and crop.
If your film has not yet been developed, start with film development and scanning instead.
JPEG uses compression to make files lighter and easier to open, download, send and publish. It is the practical choice when you want a finished scan for normal printing, sharing or your portfolio.
TIFF avoids JPEG-style lossy compression and keeps a heavier file for future editing, reproduction and preservation. Choose it when the scan will become a long-term master or enter a serious post-production workflow.
A sensible default for most personal work, online use and standard printing.
Keep TIFF as the master, then export smaller JPEG copies when needed.
Both formats begin with the same scan. TIFF preserves the file more robustly; it cannot recover information absent from the negative or capture.
The longest edge of the delivered image measures 8000 pixels. It gives generous room for inspection, cropping and printing, but print quality still depends on the negative, the crop and the intended viewing distance.
The digital dimensions of the scan. This is the clearest way to describe the delivered file.
A print-output setting, not extra captured detail. The same pixel file can be assigned different print resolutions.
At high resolution you may see more of the film grain—and also more dust, scratches or age marks present on the original.
Actual width and height vary between 35mm, panoramic frames, medium format and the photographed image area.
Cut or uncut, already-developed negative strips.
Medium-format strips in their original frame proportions.
Black-and-white negatives with their natural tonal structure.
C-41 and developed ECN-2 colour-negative strips.
Positive slide film supplied in strips. Ask us first about mounted slides or unusual formats.
Not sure what you have? Bring the film to Berlin Photo Studio or contact us with a clear photograph before ordering.
For family collections, artistic archives and historic negatives, the scan should become an organised master—not another forgotten download.
TIFF is usually the stronger master-file choice. Keep the original filenames consistent, record what the images show when you know it, and make JPEG access copies for daily browsing.
A scan protects access to the image, but it does not replace the physical negative. Return the negatives to clean archival sleeves and keep them dry, cool and clearly labelled.
Good archive habit: keep more than one copy of important files and do not rely on a single phone, computer or download link.
A rescan is useful when the first digital version—not the photograph itself—is the limitation. The negative is the source. If it still exists and is in usable condition, a new scan can often produce a larger, cleaner or more flexible file.
Send already-developed strips safely protected, or bring them to our studio in Berlin-Wedding.
We identify the format and check whether fragile, damaged or unusual film needs special attention.
Each strip is digitised at high resolution with basic manual exposure and colour adjustments.
You receive the digital files and arrange collection or return of the physical originals.
For this service, both can be delivered at the same current scan dimensions: 8000 pixels on the longest side. The main difference is file compression, storage size and how you plan to use the scan afterwards.
No. TIFF is useful for master files, substantial editing and archival workflows, but JPEG is lighter and more convenient for most everyday viewing, sharing and standard printing.
An undeveloped roll must first go through the correct chemical process. Choose a service from our film development collection rather than film-strip scanning.
No. Basic manual colour and exposure adjustments are included, but the scan still reflects the physical condition of the film. Heavy restoration or retouching is a separate kind of work.
Often yes, but the result and safe handling depend on their condition. Contact us before ordering if the film is brittle, mouldy, curled, stained or historically important.
Yes. Physical originals remain important. Arrange studio collection or return shipping, and do not treat the download as a replacement for the negative.
For large archives, fragile negatives, mounted slides or unusual formats, contact Berlin Photo Studio before ordering so we can assess the material and scope.
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