NEGATIVES
Digitizing Your Photo Negatives
The best option to digitize your photographs, negatives offer superior image quality when compared to a digital scan of the printed photo. The higher resolution image will show more sharpness and detail, ensuring the snapshot of your history is the highest quality available!
The best option to digitize your photographs, negatives offer superior image quality when compared to a digital scan of the printed photo. The higher resolution image will show more sharpness and detail, ensuring the snapshot of your history is the highest quality available!
THE BEST OPTION FOR PHOTOS
A photo negative is a frame or strip of film in which the polarity has been reversed. The blacks and white areas are turned inside out, and colors are flipped as well. The images are confusing to interpret when you hold them up to the light. Don’t be fooled, these “inside out” frames of film produce amazing quality photos when digitized.
If you have both the negative and the print of the same photo, you will almost always want to digitize the negative. A print created from a negative is the “second generation” of the image, and there is some loss of the original quality. Negatives offer superior image quality when compared to a digital scan of the printed photo. The higher resolution image will show more sharpness and detail, while the print can appear somewhat “soft”.
WHAT FORMAT DO YOU HAVE?
35mm negative film is the most commonly used film format since the mid-1930s. The 35mm negative is roughly 1” X 1.4” and cut from a longer roll into sections of 4, or occasionally 6 frames. In the 70s and 80s, although less common, negative film formats such as 110, 126 were often used due to the price, size, and commercial appeal of the cameras that used them, but we have the capability to scan those as well.
The digital image you will get will in part be determined by the format of the slide that is scanned, as well as the resolution it will be scanned in. Smaller formats tend to show more film grain at higher DPIs while larger formats provide for more detail and far less grain and can often be scanned at low or high resolutions dependent on the negative.
Your photographic negatives will be transformed into a crisp positive image, but the quality will depend on the condition of the negative. A poor quality negative will result in a poor quality digital image.
Since the negatives will have been handled far less than the print, and likely tucked away safely in an envelope somewhere, there is a good chance it is in far better shape than the ones that you have thumbed through countless times.
When choosing a format digitize from, always select the earliest generation of the material available. In the case of photographic materials, if the negatives are available they will not only provide a higher quality image, but they are easier to organize, and often less expensive to scan.
Digitizing your collection is important, and selecting the right quality levels to archive your history is often confusing. Many of us equate a high DPI to equate to higher quality, which is more often than not true, but you need to recognize that, depending on the original materials, there are often diminishing returns on price vs quality as the DPI increases.
THE RIGHT RESOLUTION
Between 600 - 1200 DPI
Only $0.40 per frame
For the majority of us, resolutions between 600 DPI and 1200 DPI are more than adequate, and if you are looking for an image that is suitable for viewing on your phone, monitor, or TV in HD quality, these resolutions will bring out more than enough detail to produce great images, that can be reprinted in sizes up to 5” X 7” with decent quality.
Since the film size contained in the 2” X 2” slide frame varies, we will evaluate them when they arrive at our facility, and they will be scanned at a resolution between 600 DPI and 1200 DPI determined by the quality and dimensions of the film. 35mm and 120mm negatives are generally found in strips cut into 4 or 6 frames of roughly 1” X 1.5” each. Although we charge by the frame, we must scan the entire negative strip, so unfortunately we can’t scan an individual photo, and you will be charged for the number of frames on the strip, For instance, if you have a negative strip with 4 images, you will be charged $1.60 (4 X $0.40).
Between 1200 - 2400 DPI
Only $0.75 Per Frame
If you want a high-quality master image, we can certainly understand the appeal of a higher DPI such as 2400 but unless you are looking to create prints up to 8” X 10”, or have another specialty application that requires it, we would recommend 3200 DPI as the upper limit to scan your photo negatives
Since the quality and size of the film contained in the 2” X 2” slide frame varies, we will evaluate them when they arrive at our facility, and they will be scanned at a resolution between 1200 DPI and 2400 DPI determined by the quality and dimensions of the film. Although we charge by the frame, we must scan the entire negative strip, so unfortunately we can’t scan an individual photo, and you will be charged for the number of frames on the strip, For instance, if you have a negative strip with 4 images, you will be charged $3 (4 X $0.75).
Between 2400 - 4000 DPI
Only $1.25 Per Slide
If you are going to be making large prints (greater than 8×10), we suggest that you have us scan them between 2400- 4000 DPI. This resolution guarantees that all possible detail will be read from the slide.
While slides can contain enough detail to justify 4000 DPI and can be enlarged several times the original size, scanning a negative containing a small photo will reveal a large amount of grain, and you would likely see better overall results with a lower resolution. Exceptions obviously exist, and that is why we make the option of 2400 - 4000 DPI scans available. Since the quality and size of the film contained in the 2” X 2” slide frame varies, we will evaluate them when they arrive at our facility, and they will be scanned at a resolution between 2400 DPI and 4000 DPI determined by the quality and dimensions of the film.
Digitizing Your Less Common Formats
Digitizing Your Medium Format Slides
Only $2.50 per slide
With an image size of about 4X the size of the more common 35mm film stock, medium format slides contain a much greater level of detail, so it can be enlarged and printed from the digital image without revealing excessive film grain or distortion. Medium format films are digitized at 2400 DPI, which is the “sweet spot” for this format.
Digitizing Large Format Negatives
Starting At $3.75 per negative
Large format negatives are any photo negative greater than 4” X 5”, and was a widely used format in the years leading up to, and after World War II, before losing popularity to the more versatile 35mm film stock. Large-format slides retain fine details and the quality is excellent when printed. Large-format films are digitized at 2400 DPI as there is no noticeable gain in quality at higher resolutions.
Digitizing Glass Plate Negatives
Starting At $3.75 per negative
Glass plate negatives are both rare, and extremely fragile. Just brushing dust off the negative can cause the emulsion to flake off the glass. They must be handled very carefully with gloves, very gently cleaned, and carefully scanned individually on specialized equipment. Because glass slides are so easily damaged, broken, scratched, or otherwise compromised, strong consideration should be given to making them a priority to digitize.
We also have the equipment and experience to digitize almost every photographic negative format, both common and uncommon, you might have in your collection.
This includes 13mm x 17mm 110 “Pocket Instamatic Film” negative film, 24mm x 36mm 135 35mm negative film, 24mm x 36mm 828 35mm negative film, 24mm x 18mm 35mm “half-frame” negative film, 24mm APS “Advantix” negative film, 28mm x 28mm 126 “Instamatic” negative film, 40mm x 40mm 127 negative film, 60.96mm 120 negative roll film, 60.96mm 620 negative roll film, 63.5mm × 108mm 616 negative film, "Quarter-plate" glass plates, "Half-plate" glass plates, “Full Plate” glass plates, sheet film negatives, "Sixteenth-plate" tintypes, "Ninth-plate" tintypes, "Sixth-plate" tintypes, “Half-plate" tintypes, and postcard or 3A negative film.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I Have Both Photos And Negatives, Which Will Produce The Best Image?
When choosing a format digitize from, always select the earliest generation of the material available. In the case of photographic materials, if the negatives are available they will not only provide a higher quality image, but they are easier to organize, and often less expensive to scan.
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What Slide Formats Can I Digitize?
- 35mm (135 slides)
- 35mm half-frame slides
- 110mm format slides
- 120 medium format slides
- 126 “Instamatic” slides
- 127 slides
- 127 “super slides”
- 1” x 1” 110 slides
- 2” x 2” 110 slides
- Old “3D” or “Stereo” slides
- Large format slide transparencies
- Airequipt slides
- Advantix film
- Glass slides
Almost any additional format you can think of!
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Do I Have To Label Each Negative Frame Individually?
It is completely up to you. The archive can be as detailed or as simple as you would like to make it. If you would like us to scan batches of items with the same title or description, we make that simple too. Just add the identifier label to the grouping photos and add a single title to your spreadsheet.
Any item in that grouping will share the same title and associated data but scanned in sequential order. The files will be appended with a page, photo, or video number.
For instance: A group of photos from a family trip to Florida may be labeled as “Our Trip To Orlando, June 1977, Photo 1”, “Our Trip To Orlando, June 1977, Photo 2”, etc.
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How Can I Access My Digitized Negatives?
You can access your digital archive from anywhere you can connect to the internet via your own "My History Archive". You will be able to explore the past on Apple devices like the iPhone or iPad, Android-based phones and tablets, Kindle Fires, computers running Windows, Macs, Chromebooks, and streaming devices for your TV.
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How Many Frames Is A "My History Archive" limited to?
As many as you want to add! There is no limit to the amount of history you can add or the size of your collection.
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What Type Of File Will You Send Me?
You can request either a JPEG or TIFF, and additional image formats will be created and used for viewing online
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Do I Own My Digital Images?
Yes, this is your history, and you retain all ownership rights. We will not sell, use, or feature your digital files without your expressed written consent.
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Can I Edit My Photos From My DVD, USB, or Hard drive?
Of course. These are your images to do with them as you see fit. They are not copy protected and can be edited with whatever software you have available.
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Can I Share My History With Others?
Yes. We have created tools that allow you to share your digital files, or clip portions of articles or photos for use in social media posts, blogs, or to email or share over a text. You also have the ability to create a Discoveries gallery that will allow you to create collections that you can send a link to the files you have curated through tagging.
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Is There A Backup Of My Archive?
As part of your "My History Archive" subscription, we will maintain backups of your digital collections on our secure servers. You may request a copy of your archive be sent to you in the event your DVD, HDD, or flash drive has been lost or damaged. You will only be charged for the replacement media.
Don't Let The Moment Fade
By creating a digital copy of the recorded accounts of your history, you capture the past in a format that is not susceptible to the same risk factors as your analog collection. If you don’t digitize the documents and recordings, you risk losing everything to the passage of time.
When you digitize your collection, not only will it help you preserve the original materials when you make them available online it will also allow you to share your collection, and connect others to your history as well. After all, your History Is Everything
Your PAST Into The PRESENT
Old books, letters, journals, yearbooks, and family history research documents contain bits and pieces of your past. When viewed collectively, they tell a story of who you are and where you came from. Without a doubt, you have a stash of family photos or albums taking up space on a bookshelf or hidden away in a hope chest. Somewhere, someone in your family has a box of old photos, negatives, or slides collecting dust in a closet.
There might be a storage box tucked away in your basement that holds a scrapbook of newspaper clippings of your high school athletic achievements, and maybe a yearbook or two.
You might possibly have a small shoebox of grandma’s index cards with her recipes written out in her own handwriting. Letters, military records, family genealogy records, old concert tickets, a showbill from your first play, home movies...all excerpts of your history, recorded in countless formats, stored out of sight in the nooks and crannies of your home.
Each piece of this personal history provides a clue as to what makes you, you. Each piece offers insight into the people, places, and events that shaped your life, your family, and your community.
Shipping & Packing Tips
We will send you sturdy boxes and prepaid return shipping labels once you place your order online. You will also receive a copy of your order, identifying labels, and instructions on matching your identifier labels to the identifier worksheet.
Why Should YOU Trust US?
History Is Everything is a division of Advantage Archives, a trusted partner of libraries, museums, educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, historical societies, and genealogical organizations across the United States, providing free access to historical content, including 110M newspaper pages and documents, dating as far back as 17th century.
We make these valuable collections free to access by the community through an online digital archive platform: The Community History Archives. historical documents that were previously limited in their availability.
This is YOUR History
Preserve It!
The history documented in the pictures, papers, slides, negatives, and recordings you have accumulated over the years represents your personal history. You may not realize it, but that history is fading away a little bit each day. Your photos, home movies, documents, and slides are losing their color, beginning to become brittle, and losing the battle in the war against time. By creating a digital copy of the recorded accounts of your history, you capture the past in a format that is not susceptible to the same risk factors as your analog collection.
Archive It!
The "My History Archive" is an online hosting, search platform, and access tools that power your archive, transforming your collection of files into an archive that can be explored for new discoveries, or for reliving old memories. You can share what you discover with others, and connect with your past in a way you could not with a box of old photos, a scrapbook of clippings, or a DVD of pictures. As more people create open "My History Archive"s a network of free genealogical tools will emerge, allowing for “crowdsourcing” of your family history research.
Share It!
Family history does not need to be locked behind a paywall or exclusively available via a prohibitively expensive subscription service. This is YOUR history, and you can share it with anyone you choose, at any time, and on any device. You can also explore, clip, and share information you find on any "My History Archive" that an owner has made available to use as a free resource for others, or leverage the hundreds of free Community History Archives created by libraries, genealogical societies, heritage centers, and other institutions across the country.
Protect Your Past
As part of your subscription to your "My History Archive", we will maintain backups of your digital collections on our secure servers. You may request a copy of your archive be sent to you in the event your DVD, HDD, the flash drive has been lost or damaged. You will only be charged for the replacement media.
You can also make as many duplicates as you would like of the DVD or flash drive, so you can make extra backups or create a copy to share with family and friends.
Your Past. Your Way.
At no charge, we will provide your choice of either a set of DVDs or an 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB USB flash drive containing your complete archive, allowing you to view the images or videos on your DVD player, or upload them to your favorite photo management cloud service. We also offer an optional 500GB or 1TB USB hard drives that can be purchased for larger collections.
Contact Us
Do you have any questions? We’re here to help. Our Customer Advocates are standing by to answer any questions you may have. We’re looking forward to connecting with you!
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Continue To Grow Your Archive
Your personal history isn’t doesn’t begin or end with a single document, book, or the research that was put into developing a family tree. Your history has been recorded in countless formats over the years, from letters, photos, and video, to old family recipes, journals, and newspaper clippings. Not only is it impractical to organize and access your physical original materials, handling them too often leads to damage and eventually, loss. Photos can tear, fade, or discolor. Videos and film can become brittle and crack or break, it is easy to scratch, and plastic cassettes are not as durable as you might think. Paper is fragile, making it vulnerable, and at risk of being lost to the ravages of time.
The originals should be stored properly for safekeeping and handled as little as possible. Fortunately, preserving the original materials does not mean you can’t have access to them. On the contrary, you have the option of making them more accessible than ever before. By digitizing your past, and creating a "My History Archive", you will be able to explore, view, and share your collection from anywhere in the world, at any time, using an Apple iPad, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, computer, Mac, Chromebook, or even a smart TV.
We can archive:
Printed Photos, Slides, Photo Negatives, Scrapbooks, Family History Books, Yearbooks, Journals, Diaries, Family Trees, Genealogical Research, Annuals, Census Records, Local History Books, Programs, Cookbooks, Newsletters, Record Books, Ledgers, Meeting Minutes, Directories, Manuscripts, Visitor Books, Muster Rolls, Documents, Marriage Certificates, Birth Announcements, Obituaries, Death Notices, Children’s Artwork, Postcards, Church Records, Correspondence, Handouts, Recipe Cards, Newspapers, Clippings, Memorabilia, Military Records, Drawings, Awards, Index Cards, Maps, Meeting Minutes, Heritage Collections, Property Records, Abstracts, Schedules, Bulletins, Immigration Records, Public Announcements, Transcripts, Oral Histories, Greeting Cards, Home Movies, Microfilm, Digital Photos...
...and almost anything else you can think of!
Additionally, you can leverage the hundreds of free Community History Archives created by libraries, genealogical societies, heritage centers, and other institutions across the country. We have made it simple to clip articles or other sections of documents and add them to your "My History Archive" with just a few clicks. You can also explore, clip, and share information you find on any "My History Archive" that an owner has made available to use as a free resource for others.