Heidelberg Tango drum scanning
Mail-in film scanning for 35mm, 120 / medium format, and large format. Wet mounted. High dynamic range. Clean tonality. True 16-bit TIFF delivery.
Want the full overview page? Go to drum scanning service. For negatives: scan-only vs converted.
Why drum scans look different
- Wet mounting + flatness: consistent focus across the frame, fewer Newton rings.
- True 16-bit headroom: cleaner edits for Portra, Ektar, slide film, and dense B&W.
- Shadow detail on E-6: deep tones hold colour and separation instead of falling apart.
- Edge-to-edge sharpness: stable mounting on an optically flat drum.
- Cleaner contrast edges: detail without “crispy” halos.
Formats we scan
Want full borders, uncropped 120, or 35mm sprockets? Tell us before we scan.
Scan sizes (M vs L)
M is ideal for most client work, editorial, and web. L is best for large prints, exhibitions, dense negatives, and serious archive digitising. Full guide: film scan sizes (M vs L).
| Film format | Typical scan size (M) | Typical scan size (L) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35mm (135) | ~4000px (short side) | ~6000px (short side) | M for most use; L for big prints/crops |
| 120 (6cm side) | ~8000px (short side) | ~13,000px (short side) | Great value on medium format |
| Sheet film (4×5, 5×7, 8×10) | ~8000px (short side) | ~13,000px (short side) | Scan for print if you have a target DPI |
Quick pricing (common formats)
Prices are in EUR and include 21% VAT. Scans only. Minimum order is €50. Full list: film scan prices & scan sizes.
| Format | Price M | Price L | File size M | File size L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35mm | €18 | €23 | 140 Mb | 322 Mb |
| 6×7 | €29 | €44 | 460 Mb | 1.2 Gb |
| 6×17 | €70 | €107 | 1.1 Gb | 2.9 Gb |
| 4×5″ | €55 | €78 | 466 Mb | 1.23 Gb |
If you need a specific output for printing, include your target print size and viewing distance and we’ll scan for the end use.
Negative conversion (scan-only vs converted)
All film is scanned as a positive. Slide film is already “positive” colour on the film. Negatives need conversion. Guide: negative conversion for drum scans.
We deliver the original scan files as 16-bit TIFF in Lab colour space. Ideal if you already have a workflow and want full control.
We convert using Negative Lab Pro and deliver 16-bit TIFF in ProPhoto RGB. Conversion adds a 25% processing fee (no batch processing).
Scan options that matter: for 120 full frame tell us not to crop; 35mm sprockets are possible if requested in advance; if you want space between frames for balance checks, tell us.
How it works
Real scan examples
Open and zoom. Check gradients, shadow separation, and grain. More: drum scan examples.
FAQ
What files do I receive?
Standard delivery is true 16-bit TIFF files via Dropbox. If you need a different delivery method (for example USB), tell us before scanning.
Do you scan negatives and slide film?
Yes. We scan colour negatives, black & white negatives, and slide film (E-6). Slide film is scanned as a positive.
How long is turnaround?
Typical turnaround is 1–2 weeks depending on the queue. If you have a deadline, message first and we’ll confirm timing.
Can you scan full frames or include sprockets?
Yes, but tell us in advance. For 120 we can avoid cropping. For 35mm, sprockets are doable if requested ahead of time.
Do you offer negative conversion?
Optional. Scan-only negatives: 16-bit TIFF in Lab colour space. If we convert using Negative Lab Pro: 16-bit TIFF in ProPhoto RGB. Conversion adds a 25% processing fee because we do not batch process.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes. Minimum order is €50.
