Film Scanner Comparison: Negative Supply vs. Valoi vs. Ausgeknipst (2026)

Camera scanning: What do you actually need?

All three systems in this comparison rely on the same basic principle: a flat LED light source illuminates the film from below, a holder keeps it flat, and a digital camera photographs the image from above. The differences lie in the details -- in the mechanics, included accessories, and price. Negative Supply shapes the largest ecosystem on the market with its accessories, Valoi 360 offers a solid modular kit as a Finnish pioneer, and the Ausgeknipst MK2 System comes with a magnetic all-in-one concept that especially revolutionizes the price-performance ratio.

We compare corresponding combinations from each manufacturer that represent a complete scanning unit: holder, light source, and stray light protection. Each set contains everything you need to scan 35mm film -- except the camera and a copy stand. If you don’t have the latter, you can also scan horizontally: just lay the holder on its long edge, position the light, and shoot from the side.

Image credits: Ausgeknipst MK2 Pro Set -- ausgeknipst.de | Valoi 360 Starter Kit -- valoi.co | Negative Supply BFC35 MK2 -- negative.supply

An overview of the three systems

Ausgeknipst Film Scanner MK2 Pro Set

Origin: Würzburg, Germany. Ausgeknipst is a workshop for analog photography accessories that develops and manufactures its products in-house. Besides the modular film holder system, Ausgeknipst offers holders for special formats like Minox 8x11 and 110 film.

Philosophy: Everything in one set. Light source, stray light protection, film holder, and scanning hood are included in the Pro Set. No need to buy individual adapters later. The system uses magnetic top plates -- just insert the film, the plate clicks onto the holder, done. In addition to the feed-through mechanism for whole rolls, the magnetic "Lift & Click" system offers quick access for short strips.

Film Guidance & Formats: The base plate guides the film through a precision-milled channel with a dual S-curve to achieve optimal flatness without glass plates. The exact exposure window is defined by the magnetic top plate. The 24x36mm plate is standard; for Half Frame (18x24mm) or Panorama X-Pan (24x82mm), there are matching top plates. A complete set is also available for exposed sprocket holes.

Valoi 360 System

Origin: Helsinki, Finland. Valoi was one of the first manufacturers to specialize in camera scanning accessories. The 360 system covers several film formats, but the brand’s focus is increasingly on the beginner-friendly "Valoi Easy" system. The long-term future of the 360 system is unclear.

Philosophy: Modular system. You buy a base holder and expand it with masks, adapters, and accessories. The CineStill CS-LITE is included as a light source (in the starter kit). The stray light protection for the CS-LITE is integrated directly into the film holder. The scanning hood is sold separately.

Film Guidance & Formats: Valoi consistently follows the approach "one holder per format." Each 360 Film Holder is optimized specifically for its format — the internal geometry guides the film flat and aligns it cleanly. Besides the standard 35mm holder, there are separate versions for 35mm Panorama and 35mm Sprockets. You have to buy the complete holder for each format, but you always get uncompromisingly precise guidance.

Negative Supply Basic Film Carrier MK2

Origin: Rochester, New York, USA. Negative Supply offers the most extensive ecosystem in comparison. Besides the Basic Film Carrier, there are Pro versions (99 Track), large light sources with high CRI for 4x5 formats, extremely stable repro stands for heavy camera-macro setups, and a "Pro" range made entirely of metal. A full pro setup can cost 2,000 to 3,000 EUR — this is a system for professionals and studios.

Philosophy: Own light source instead of third-party. The Light Source Mini with 97 CRI is one of the best on the market. The film carrier itself is solid, but costs add up quickly: carrier, mask, light, and hood are all sold separately.

Film Guidance & Formats: The BFC35 MK2 supports 35mm Standard, Half Frame, and Panorama (masks included) right out of the box. An important detail for film flatness: Negative Supply uses the same carrier for all three formats. Since the opening at the bottom has continuous panorama width, the film is guided quite far out at the edge even during normal 35mm scans. This means that with the Basic Carrier MK2, you have to accept slight compromises in film flatness compared to the systems from Ausgeknipst and Valoi (which use dedicated, format-specific channels).

Feature comparison

What does a complete 35mm scanning setup cost?

Here we add up the costs for a complete setup — everything you need besides camera and tripod: film holder, light source, stray light protection, and (if offered) a scanning hood.

Workflow in practice

Scanning whole film rolls

For whole, uncut 35mm rolls, feed-through systems (Valoi, Negative Supply) are efficient: you push the film through the slot and work frame by frame. Ausgeknipst’s magnetic system works just as well here — you slide the film under the top plate. The speed difference with whole rolls is minimal.

Cut film strips (3-6 frames)

This is where the magnetic system shows its advantage. With feed-through holders, the film strip has to be threaded — which takes longer than simply lifting the plate, placing the film, and putting the plate back on. If you scan many short strips from lab canisters (which is the norm for most hobby photographers), you save noticeable time per session here.

Single frames and slides

For mounted slides, all three manufacturers require a separate slide holder. For unmounted single frames, the magnetic system again has the advantage of quick insertion.

Which system is suitable for whom?

Conclusion

No system in this comparison is bad -- all three deliver better results than a flatbed scanner. The differences lie in price, scope of delivery, and the mechanics of film changing.

Those who want a complete setup without searching for individual components are well served with the Ausgeknipst MK2 Pro Set or the Valoi 360 Starter Kit + Hood in a similar price range (100-130 EUR). The Ausgeknipst set has the advantage of magnetic film changing and integrated stray light protection.

The Negative Supply system is worthwhile for photographers who already have their own light source and only need the carrier (~$89), or for professionals who want to invest in the 97-CRI light source. The lack of a German dealer and customs issues make it less attractive for occasional scanners.

Further sources

These discussions and reviews deepen the topic -- from photographers who work daily with these systems:

• r/AnalogCommunity on Reddit -- active discussions about scanning setups, holder comparisons, and DIY solutions. Search terms: "scanning setup", "valoi vs negative supply"
• Negative Lab Pro Forum -- technical discussions about light sources, film flatness, and holder compatibility. NLP is the most widely used software for converting negatives.
• Sebastian Schlüter -- German-speaking photographer with detailed comparisons and practical tests of scanning equipment