VALOI - 360 System. Review

Scanning film with a digital camera

2023 © Thomas Gade




DSLR on a Kaiser copy stand above a VALOI 360 system

To digitize slides and negatives with digital cameras, you need additional equipment—typically a macro lens, film holders, a copy stand, and a light source. You also need software to convert color negatives into positives. Thanks to high pixel counts, modern digital system cameras with good macro lenses achieve resolutions comparable to high-quality film scanners for 35 mm film.

Today, LED panels with a CRI value of 95 or higher are particularly suitable as light sources. They cover almost the entire daylight spectrum, allowing colors from film to be reproduced very accurately. LED panels from Kaiser or CineStill are available for €40–60 and feature long-lasting light sources.

Valoi Professional Scanning Kit

The Finnish company Valoi offers the Professional Scanning Kit, which includes a light source and film holders from the VALOI 360 system.

It is suitable for 35 mm film strips and 120 roll film. Compared to buying the components separately, the kit is offered at a discounted price. As of 2023, it costs €379 and includes:

- Metal frame for the LED light source
- CineStill CS-LITE LED panel
- Advancer: a sturdy metal frame with a transport mechanism for film strips
- 35 mm film holder
- 120 roll film holder
- Three masks for various roll film formats
- Dust brush
- Leveling mirror for camera alignment


CS-Lite LED panel next to the base holder of the VALOI 360 system

The CS-Lite is a recommended light source. However, if you already own the Rollei Lumis Key Light (18 × 12 × 2 cm), it can also be used with the Valoi light adapter. This LED panel has become popular as a video conferencing light and closely resembles the CS-Lite.


Base frame with integrated LED light panel

Valoi offers a modular system for holding and illuminating film. The VALOI 360 system is based on a metal frame into which a CineStill light source is inserted and secured. A side opening allows access to the cable with switch, control unit, and USB connection for a power source (e.g., power bank).

Film Holders

Film holders from the Professional Scanning Kit for 35 mm and 120 mm film, plus masks for various formats

This frame and light source combination forms the base of the VALOI 360 system. Attachable holders are available for 35 mm film (up to 24 × 36 mm) and 120 roll film. Additional masks are available for 4.5 × 6, 6 × 6, and 6 × 7 formats; none is required for 6 × 9. The film holders are made of plastic using 3D printing.

3D-Printed Film Holders

Additional holders are available for APS, 8 mm, Minox, 127, 126, and 110 (Pocket) film formats, each costing €45 (as of 2023) and produced via 3D printing.

Compared to the sturdy and high-quality metal frame, the 3D-printed parts feel less robust. The 35 mm holder in my test set bends slightly when inserted properly into the advancer slot, indicating minor precision issues.

Interestingly, there are also files available online for 3D printing your own film holders or base frames for alternative LED panels—for example on Thingiverse or Printables.


VALOI 360 system with advancer and 120 roll film holder

Additionally, there is a metal frame with a transport mechanism for film strips and the option to attach a dual-sided dust brush. This is particularly useful for digitizing freshly developed film before it is cut into strips.


Dust brush

The film transport works via two rotating axes, each fitted with rubber rollers that press against each other. They can be adjusted depending on the film type so that the film edges are gripped and moved forward or backward.


Film transport mechanism

For short film strips, this mechanism is not necessary, as they can be advanced manually. The design ensures that no scratches occur on the image area during transport.

Occasionally, film may slip between the rollers. Slightly wider rollers would improve transport.


Adjustable rubber feet

Leveling Feet

The base with the light source stands on four screw-mounted rubber feet that prevent slipping on the baseboard. These adjustable feet allow for stable positioning and fine alignment of the film plane.

Alternative Film Holders

Fortunately, the metal frame around the LED panel is magnetic. This makes it easy to use it with other film holders—for example from old enlargers—if desired.

Converting Negatives

Converting negatives into accurate positives used to require advanced image editing skills. Today, various applications such as Grain2Pixel, Negative Lab Pro, or FilmLab perform this automatically. We have presented different methods on several pages, which are regularly updated:


Convert negatives to positives

---