Scanning Info
Film Stock
Super 8
Estimated running time of a single 15 m (50 ft) film cartridge at the most typical frame rates:
18 frames per second = 3min 20s
24 frames per second = 2min 30s
25 frames per second = 2min 24s
(Calculated running times, may vary by camera model)
Double 8
Estimated running time of a D8 spool with 2x10m (2x33ft) film at the most typical frame rates:
18 frames per second ≈ 4min 53s (2min 26s / side)
24 frames per second ≈ 3min 18s (1min 50s / side)
(Calculated running times, may vary by camera model)
16mm
Estimated running time with lengths of 30.5m (100ft) and 122m (400ft) of footage at the typical frame rates:
30.5m (100ft) R-90 daylight spool:
- 24 frames per second = 2min 49s
- 25 frames per second = 2min 42s
122m (400ft) roll with a core:
- 24 frames per second = 11min 6s
- 25 frames per second = 10min 40s
35mm
Shooting times at most common shooting speeds:
24 fps – 4 perf camera
- 61m ≈ 2min 13sec
- 122m ≈ 4min 26sec
- 305m ≈ 11min 06sec
24 fps – 3 perf camera
- 61m ≈ 2min 57sec
- 122m ≈ 5min 55sec
- 305m ≈ 14min 49sec
24 fps – 2 perf camera
- 61m ≈ 4min 26sec
- 122m ≈ 8min 53sec
- 305m ≈ 25min 30sec
25 fps – 4 perf camera
- 61m ≈ 2min 08sec
- 122m ≈ 4min 16sec
- 305m ≈ 10min 40sec
25 fps – 3 perf camera
- 61m ≈ 2min 50sec
- 122m ≈ 5min 41sec
- 305m ≈ 14min 13sec
25 fps – 2 perf camera
- 61m ≈ 4min 16sec
- 122m ≈ 8min 32sec
- 305m ≈ 21min 20sec
Shipping Films To Us
When shipping your films to us for processing and/or scanning services please:
- Mark the cans/cartridges clearly with the film type, length (16mm & 35mm), any special processing requirements or notes, your name and email address or your order number
Example: 7203 – 16mm – 80m – PUSH + 1 – Jane Doe – jane.doe@example.com
Example: Orwo UN54 – B/W neg – 35mm – 122m – order S0056
We Do not take responsibility for development mistakes due to insufficient or false information on the delivered box. Please ensure there is no contradicting or confusing information on the delivered film container.
Ship your films to:
Helsinki Film & Gear Oy
Hämeentie 157, 4th floor
00560 HELSINKI
FINLAND
Tel: +358 50 516 1785
Email: info@helscan.fi
All unprocessed films (except vintage stock) need to arrive with us by noon on Monday to make it into that week’s processing batch. Films arriving any other day will be shipped for processing the following Monday unless Hyper Rush services have been ordered.
We do not take responsibility for shipping companies’ schedules, delivery times or delays.
Shipping from abroad: We recommend using express shipping services such as DHL Express, UPS or FedEx to ensure fast and reliable delivery with a trustworthy tracking code.
Send us the tracking code for your parcel to info@helscan.fi
Processing
We have no in-house processing, instead, we collaborate with the best labs in Europe. The lab depends on the type of film in question, schedules and availability.
Please note that all cans, boxes and cartridges of film need to be clearly marked with the information of which type of film it contains, ASA and length of the film (16mm / 35mm).
Example: 7203 – 16mm – 80m – PUSH + 1 – Jane Doe – jane.doe@example.com
Example: Orwo UN54 – B/W neg – 35mm – 122m – John Doe – john.doe@example.com
We do not take responsibility for development mistakes due to insufficient or false information on the delivered box. Please ensure there is no contradicting or confusing information on the box.
D8 Processing includes splicing of the film from the middle – unless specifically requested otherwise.
Special Processing
Push or Pull development is possible for films if required. Please contact us if any special development is required. Also note that there will be additional costs.
Push processing is used to recover information from underexposed negative in processing by increasing the developing time. Push processing will lead to grainier and more contrasty images and some color shifts in highlights and shadows. Some sharpness loss can also be expected.
In pull processing, the developing time of the film is decreased. Pull processing with overexposed footage will lead to a less grainy and contrasty image with some minor color shifts in highlights and shadows.
Kodak has published an excellent quick read about push and pull processing on their website which we strongly recommend reading. You can find it here: KODAK Push & Pull development guide https://www.kodak.com/en/motion/page/push-pull-processing
Please make clear notes on the can/cartridge of film requiring special processing and how many stops pull or push are needed.
Example:
Push +1 stop
Push +2 stop
Pull -1 stop
Pull -2 stops
Special development such as Push & Pull is always done on the ENTIRE roll and cannot be done on only parts of the film.
Vintage films
We provide development services also for Vintage films, but please bear in mind that the probability of any images being salvageable is significantly smaller than with fresh stock. There are, of course, differences between films.
Vintage films include all old film stock that is no longer manufactured and has a different developing process than the current fresh stock.
Vintage films are for example: Kodakhrome-40, AGFA Agfachrome, AGFA moviechrome, Ektachrome -160, All Svema films, all Tasma Films, FUJI fujichrome R25N Single- 8, FUJI fujichrome RT200N Single 8, FUJI fujichrome RT200 Single-8, FUJI fujichrome R25 Single-8, ORWO UP21, ORWO UP15
If you have ordered both processing and scanning for a vintage film, but it turns out there are no images on the film, we do not charge for the scanning. However, development costs are always charged in full.
Vintage film processing turnaround time varies as we collect a larger batch of Vintage film for 3-6 weeks before sending them for development and do not send them individually unless Rush services are ordered. Turnaround is also affected by the processing specialist’s workload and schedule.
Scanning
Your films are scanned with Lasergraphic Scanstation 6.5K motion picture film scanner. With optical pin registration to stabilize the image, 2 pass HDR, high-resolution sensor up to 6.5K and diffused RGB LED light source makes the Scanstation one of the best scanners in its class. Scanstation also has a completely sprocketless free film transport system, so it’s extremely gentle for old vintage films.
Prep for scan
Leaders will be added to the beginning and the end of the reel which will guide the material through the scanner before the actual film. If there are multiple cartridges, they’ll be spooled onto a larger reel. Prepping is also necessary to ensure that the film is clean and checked for scanning.
Prep for scan is mandatory for all films that come for processing and scanning, and for most developed films that have not recently been cleaned and sufficient, fresh leaders added.
If films are delivered developed with leaders, we will check they are in sufficient condition and length (3m). If the leaders are not sufficient for scanning, we will invoice for prep and add to, or replace, the leaders.
FPS
16, 18, 24, 25, other (please specify)
Frame Rate that the film has been shot on. We recommend shooting each cartridge / roll of film on one FPS. However, if you have used different frame rates within the same film roll, we recommend choosing the FPS the project will be displayed in for scanning.
18fps was the standard frame rate for super 8 film format and as such, most all-automatic super 8 cameras shoot 18fps. And for normal 8mm film format the standard frame rate was 16 fps.
Usually, the standard frame rate for 16mm film is 24fps or 25fps. But 18 and 16 fps is not unheard of, especially for old cameras before the 1960’s.
Scan Styles
FLAT/LOG
Low contrast and saturation scan that retains all information from the scan. Material scanned this way needs color grading. 12-bit log/linear scan.
ONELIGHT
Best choice if you want to make small corrections to your material and make your color grading in general easier. Each camera reel/cartridge gets an average check of exposure and color, protecting highlights and shadows. Output colorspace is rec.709.
TECHNICAL GRADE
A great choice for material going directly to social media and other platforms. Technical Rec.709 grade, in which exposure, contrast, and colors are checked and optimized by correcting each shot individually. Output colorspace is rec.709.
Output format
Prores 4444
Completely lossless file type designed for the most demanding post-production work.
Prores 422HQ
Preserves almost the same visual quality as Prores 4444, but with significantly smaller data rates and file sizes.
Prores Proxy
The lightest version of the Prores file type should run quite easily with lower-end Apple computers.
MP4/ H.264
An extremely light codec that works on most devices and programs. Best file type to share your scanned material straight to social media and other platforms.
Other formats options
We can also output your scans to DPX, TIFF, DNxHR, Avi, H.265 etc. for an extra cost. Contact us in advance if you require other output formats.
Digital files will be delivered to you onto a cloud service "MyAirBridge", from which you will receive an email notification with a direct link to your downloadable material, download link is valid for 30 days.
We can also transfer your files onto your own hard drive, in this case, please remember to include your drive in the shipment with your films.
Resolution
HD horizontal: 1280 px
2K horizontal: 2048 px
4K horizontal: 4096 px
5K horizontal: 5120 px (on request for S16 or any 35mm)
HD
1280 horizontal pixels. Vertical pixel amount varies depending on the film format aspect ratio.
2K
2048 horizontal pixels. Vertical pixel amount varies depending on the film format aspect ratio. For Full HD mastering
4K
4096 horizontal pixels. Vertical pixel amount varies depending on the film format aspect ratio.) For 4K mastering
5K
5120 horizontal pixels. Vertical pixel amount varies depending on the film format aspect ratio. Available for 35mm and Super16mm formats.
Aspect Ratio
We scan the film to its original camera gate aspect ratio, so nothing gets left outside the scan area, or has as little as possible unwanted area visible. For Super 8 and Normal 16 this is usually 1:37.1 and for Super 16 it’s 1:66.1.
But we can also scan your films straight into any aspect ratio you desire. For example vertical aspect ratios or 1×1 aspect ratio for social media etc. Contact us for more information.
Aspect ratio example: 2K
Blue: 1850×1350 pixels
Red: 1745×1274 pixels
Yellow: 1710×1248 pixels
Aspect ratio example: 4K
Blue: 3700×2700 pixels
Red: 3490×2547 pixels
Yellow: 3420×2496 pixels
Cropping
Cropped
The scan area is framed so that film perforation and previous and next frames are left just outside the image.
Tight Overscan
The scan area is framed right to film frame edges.
Overscan
The scan area is framed so that film perforation and previous and next frames are notably visible
Super Overscan
The scan area is framed so that almost the whole perforation and large parts of the previous and next frames are visible.
Turnaround
Normal Turnaround Times
Films are shipped for processing every Monday, which is why all undeveloped films need to be with us latest by noon on Mondays. Processing takes 5-7 business days from each Monday. The delivery time for both processing and scanning is 10-14 business days from every Monday.
Exceptions to the turnaround time
Please bear in mind the above turnaround times are not 100% guaranteed, as bank holidays, delivery delays for unforeseeable reasons, such as severe weather conditions for example, or other exceptions may affect the turnaround time.
Large quantities of, for example, older films coming for only scanning, which we will make a delivery estimate once they arrive according to the situation and size of the job.
Vintage films development turnaround can vary from 3-8 weeks depending on the development batch cycle as we collect a larger batch of film before shipping it off to get developed. The processing specialist’s schedules and workload also affect the estimated turnaround time. If you are in a hurry, please contact us about possible rush services.
Rush Services
Rush services are available and will be arranged on a case by case basis and invoiced accordingly. Please note that Rush services are available more for 16mm and 35mm films, less for 8mm films as they are developed only once per week.
Preliminary information on basic Rush services:
Rush: 30€ / roll
Developed in the normal weekly batch but prioritized in the scanning queue cutting down the delivery time by 3-5 days depending on the order.
Hyper Rush: 55€ / roll
Available only for 16mm, 35mm formats or already developed 8mm films – not available for vintage or undeveloped 8mm films, unless it is a batch of over 20 rolls. Hyper Rush means expedited processing and scanning services. Processed in less than a week and scanned immediately upon arrival, cutting down the delivery time by over half of the normal turnaround time.
Please bear in mind the above turnaround times are not 100% guaranteed, as bank holidays, delivery delays for unforeseeable reasons, such as severe weather conditions for example, or other exceptions may affect the turnaround time.
We require you to contact us in advance regarding any special orders so we can check availability and give a realistic estimate on time and cost for the special services requested. Please note that depending on the case other options may be available and the above-mentioned fees may vary depending on the case in question!
ORIGINAL NEGATIVES
You can choose whether you want your original negatives back or not. If you do not want your negatives back, they will be disposed of by us.
For getting your negatives back, you can choose either pick-up at our office in Helsinki, or delivery to your chosen shipping address for an extra shipping cost.
If you have chosen pick-up but have not retrieved your negatives within 3 months of the completion of your film order, you will receive an email reminding you to either collect them or permit us to dispose of them. Failing to react to this email, we will eventually dispose of your original negatives.
LARGE QUANTITIES
If you have large quantities of film, we are happy to make you an estimated cost calculation and quote based on the amount of film, their condition and requested scanning specs. In this case, please email us at info@helscan.fi or visit us at our office: Hämeentie 157, 4th floor, 00560 Helsinki
PRICING
Please note that fresh Super 8 film processing is charged per cartridge, whilst all other films are charged per meter.
If orders are insufficient, incorrect or additional services are added to the order at a later time, these will be invoiced separately and must be paid before access to scanned material is granted.
Digital Delivery
Digital delivery is priced per gigabyte, please add the appropriate amount to your order. Please see estimated file sizes in gigabytes per format below.