Film Scanning Made Quick and Easy: A Review of the VALOI Easy35
A few years ago, in an attempt to make my film scanning process more efficient, I decided to design my own camera scanner. Starting with cardstock tape and glue, I eventually designed and 3D printed a homemade version that was functional, albeit a bit rough around the edges. Imagine my excitement, then, when VALOI announced the VALOI Easy35 – a product that seemed to bring my exact homemade prototype to life in a slick, well-thought-out package!
The VALOI Easy35 is a compact film camera scanner designed to convert film negatives into high-quality digital images.
Overview:
The VALOI Easy35 is the latest offering from the VALOI company, designed to expedite the process of converting film negatives into digital files using a camera. The design is remarkably compact - about the size of a water bottle, which makes it easy to pack and transport. (If you’re needing to scan film on the go, I don’t know anyone who is) but it packs away on my camera shelf nice and neatly along with the rest of my lenses.
Setup and Usage:
Setting up the VALOI Easy35 was straightforward, and the package comes with step-up rings to attach to any compatible lens. The provided extension tubes ensured that the scanner was at the correct distance from the lens.
I was quite impressed with the speed of the VALOI Easy35. Scanning a full roll of film was accomplished in less than 5 minutes. This was significantly quicker than my flatbed scanner, which takes approximately 45 minutes to process a roll of film.
One of the unique features of this scanner is the dust screen, (an extra addon) which was notably effective at reducing stray dust particles. The result was cleaner scans that required less cleanup in post-processing.
Pros:
The compact design and ease of use make the VALOI Easy35 an appealing choice for photographers looking to convert their negatives into high-quality digital images. There's no fear of light leaks, and the speed at which you can process an entire roll of film is unbeatable.
The inclusion of the dust screen is a game-changer, making the scans cleaner and reducing the need for additional post-processing.
Cons:
While the VALOI Easy35 offers several impressive features, there are a few areas that could be improved. Feeding the film into the scanner was somewhat tricky, particularly for the first few frames. Advancing the film required a bit of force, which can be a bit disconcerting when you're trying to avoid fingerprints on the negatives.
An advancement roller built into the scanner and an external film holder would be beneficial enhancements to ease the process of handling and feeding the film, especially when scanning an entire roll.
Joe corbyn - Scanned using Fuji Frontier SP-3000
Joe corbyn - Scanned using VALOI Easy35
Comparison:
I compared the results of the VALOI Easy35 to those of a Frontier scanner, a more traditional method for scanning negatives. Remarkably, the VALOI scanner was able to hold its own. The examples I’ve shared here for the sake of accuracy are a default Negative lab pro conversion, but with some very minor adjustments, the details and color representation of the VALOI scans were almost identical to the Frontier scanner, which speaks volumes about its quality and accuracy.
Joe corbyn - Scanned using Fuji Frontier SP-3000
Joe corbyn - Scanned using VALOI Easy35
Conclusion:
The VALOI Easy35 film scanner brings the convenience and speed of digital camera technology to film scanning. While there are minor areas for improvement, the overall ease of use, combined with the quality of the scans, makes it a compelling tool for both professional photographers and hobbyists.
If you love shooting film and have been on the hunt for a faster, more efficient way to digitize your negatives, the VALOI Easy35 is worth considering. It successfully bridges the gap between the analog charm of film and the convenience of digital photography.
