Alright, let’s talk about scanning 110 film. This is something I’ve been messing around with lately, and I gotta say, it’s been a bit of a learning curve, but a fun one. So, 110 film, for those who don’t know, it’s this tiny film format that was all the rage back in the 70s. It’s smaller than your typical 35mm, and honestly, finding a camera that still works and film for it is like a treasure hunt.
First off, I managed to snag a vintage 110 camera at a flea market. It was cheap, which is perfect, because this whole thing is a bit of an experiment for me. Then, believe it or not, you can still buy 110 film cartridges. I ordered a couple online – who knew, right?
Loading the film was surprisingly easy. I just dropped the cartridge into the camera, closed the back, and wound it on. That’s it. Even if I were to accidentally open the camera with some film exposed, no worries. It’s safely tucked inside the cartridge.
I took my sweet time, going around, snapping pictures of whatever caught my eye. Once I finished the roll, the question became, how do I scan these tiny negatives? I mean, the frame size is so small, and it’s not like the usual 35mm I’m used to.
My usual method is to send film for developing and skip the scanning part at the lab. I just ask for the negatives. That’s way cheaper, and I get to control the scanning process. And I got the negatives back from the lab.
I did some digging and found out about the 110 DigitaLIZA Scanning Mask. It’s specifically designed for this film format. The idea is, I put the negative into the mask, scan, then move the film to the next frame, and repeat.
So, that’s what I did. I got myself one of those masks. It’s pretty straightforward to use. No need to cut the film, which is a relief. I just had to remember to wear gloves since there’s not much space on the sides, and I didn’t want to smudge the negatives.
- Drop the film into the camera.
- Close the back door.
- Wind on and shoot.
Now, about the scanner. I don’t have a dedicated film scanner. Those things are rare and expensive these days. I tried using a flatbed scanner with a film adapter, but honestly, the results were terrible. The resolution was just not there.
I ended up cutting the negatives into strips of six frames. This made it easier to fit them into my 35mm film scanner. Yeah, it’s a bit of a workaround, but it did the trick. The scanning process was a breeze after that. A few minutes, and I had all my 110 negatives digitized.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it was a fun project. It’s not the most convenient way to shoot and scan film, but there’s something about using these old formats that’s just cool. Plus, the images have this unique look, kind of nostalgic, you know? It’s definitely something I’ll keep playing around with. And hey, if you stumble upon a 110 camera and some film, give it a shot. It’s a neat little trip back in time.
