Introducing toneScan, a smart film scanning system with RGB light, automatic film transport, and integrated software that makes digitising with a camera fast and effortless.
toneScan is made of three key parts that work together to replicate the lab scanner experience with your standard camera scanning rig.
The toneLight is our dedicated light panel designed specifically for film scanning. It features high quality red, green, and blue LED arrays picked for optimal channel separation when used with colour negative film. There is also a 95 CRI white LED panel for scanning slides or black and white film, and a 880 nm infrared one for dust reduction with compatible cameras (not yet supported in toneScan Studio).
toneLight is made to be durable and long lasting. It has a sturdy injection moulded ABS enclosure, and a machined aluminium heatsink to keep it running optimally for years of use.
All essential features can be controlled via the illuminated front buttons, and more advanced configuration and automation is available through the built-in USB-C port. The toneLight is powered by a regular USB-C Power Delivery supply, such as a phone or laptop charger, or a power bank.
Two years ago we launched the toneCarrier as a robust, low cost film carrier for 35 mm and 120 film. Today it is trusted by thousands of photographers all around the world. Building on this solid foundation, we developed a motorised version which can automatically feed and move film along to make automatic scanning possible.
toneCarrier uses a unique dual roller belt drive system that makes it possible to scan even short strips of film (3 frames of 35 mm). Flatness is achieved by a dual s-curve film channel, which applies gentle tension to the film without any contact with the emulsion.
All existing toneCarriers can be upgraded to the motorised version in less than 5 minutes. It's the same toneCarrier you may already know and use, but even faster and easier to use. The motor upgrade is fully compatible with our manual carriers and needs minimal disassembly.
toneScan Studio is our standalone desktop software made to work with the RGB scanning system. It automatically handles the capture, merging, and inversion of trichrome scans. It also supports scans made with white light, as well as slides and black and white film.
It uses an advanced inversion engine which emulates a real darkroom print. With smart automatic corrections and default settings, the scans are usually usable with no additional corrections. And if you do want to change something, the GPU accelerated viewport and 1:1 pixel perfect previews make it quick and precise.
toneScan Studio integrates seamlessly with our hardware. For RGB scans, it automatically calibrates the light settings before each session, ensuring great and consistent results every time.
Compare the same negatives scanned with white light, toneLight RGB, and a professional lab scanner.
Kickstarter rewards
We have bundles to suit every workflow, whether you're just starting out camera scanning, or already have a working rig and are looking to upgrade.
1 year toneScan Studio licence included with every reward
The one most of you want.
Best if you're building a rig from scratch.
Project timeline
The project started in December 2024 and has been in constant development since, with four major prototypes and hundreds of hours of testing in real scanning workflows.
December 2024
Concept and feasibility exploration
Initial bench testing with off the shelf hardware
February 2025
First hardware prototype
Rough PCB layout and firmware, workflow tests
May 2025
Second hardware prototype
Improved controls and light diffuser, refined PCB
November 2025
Third hardware prototype
Added motor controller, motorised carrier upgrades
January 2026
toneScan Studio development begins
Start work on all-in-one desktop software
April 2026
Fourth hardware prototype
Redesign enclosure for injection moulding, major design for manufacturing (DFM) improvements
August 2026
toneScan Studio closed beta testing
App builds shared with testers for real world evaluation and feature development
October 2026We are here!
Kickstarter Launch!
The campaign will help us raise funds for final prototyping, manufacturing, and certification.
November 2026
Kickstarter campaign ends
November 2026
Design lock, final prototype build
Finalise hardware design and DFM, manufacture vacuum-cast prototypes.
December 2026
Certification activities
Obtain the required CE/FCC certificates.
February 2027
Manufacturing begins
Order production tooling and manufacture the first batch of toneLights!
March 2027
First finished units shipped to backers
About us
We are Jakub and Nico, both experienced engineers and long-time film photographers. toneScan was born from a stubborn belief that we could use our skills to make camera scanning easier and more fun for everyone.
Mechanical engineering, product design
Engineer with experience spanning Formula 1, medical devices, and consumer products engineering. Passionate about photography and designing great products and user experiences.
Electronics and software engineering
Senior engineer with extensive experience designing circuits and complex software. Avid film photographer and collector of vintage cameras and equipment.
The toneScan system is built on toneCarrier, our 3D-printable modular film holder. Thousands of photographers have already made it part of their workflows.
Great stuff, very easy to handle, I can strongly recommend both the gear and the dealer/manufacturer. Many thanks!
I have scanned six 120 rolls with the Tone 120 dslr scanning system and it is a hit with me. )I also purchased the 35mm system, and have scanned two rolls so far. I paired them with an old laptop that I installed MX Linux 25.2 and Entangle to monitor the negatives as I turn the advancement dials. I like being able to sit down to scan. Finally, I can get perfectly aligned shots, and I can fill the frame using a geared Nikon GP-2 camera focusing stage to utilize the max resolution/area of the camera by raising and lowering the dslr in a controlled fashion. This also allows instant 90 degree orientation switching when going from 4.5x6 to 6x7 or half frame 35mm to full frame. Another wonderful feature is how easy it is to start the roll - just push it in until it contacts the silicone wheels, and start turning CCW. The Tone dslr scanning system is a well thought out and engineered system.
Great kit and easy to use with the printed parts! It gives the assembled tonecarrier some weight and sturdiness.
A well constructed piece of kit that has made my workflow more pleasurable and accessible. Solid and smooth to operate. Only issue has been film catching occasionally on the self spooling module.
Best Scanning kit i used so far. Film always lays perfectly flat and super easy to advance. Bought the 35mm version assembled and 3D printed the 120 one. Both work flawlessly. Thanks!
I got tired of the vignetting and squeaking mechanism of my Valoi360 system and got frustrated when I ordered their scanning hood and received an overpriced, cheaply 3D-printed plastic tube. Of course, I have nothing against 3D-printed items. I own a 3D printer myself, so I know when they are cheaply printed versus printed well, with thin layers and thick walls. So I decided to look for an alternative film carrier I could print myself, found the basic 35mm ToneCarrier on MakerWorld, and was impressed by the quality and attention to detail of the model, which brought me to this site. I purchased both the 35mm and 120 carrier 3D models, and I'm extremely impressed with their quality, how well documented everything is, and how easy they are to print and assemble. I'm more than happy I made the move from Valoi to ToneCarrier.
I'm very impressed with the toneCarrier 120 Mark II. The kit is well made and, most importantly, it does an excellent job of keeping my film flat while scanning. I've previously used a much more expensive holder from Negative Supply and, honestly, I prefer this. It may not be machined from aluminium, but it's easier to load film into and gives better results in terms of flatness. The only thing worth mentioning is that I initially had a little trouble attaching the Easyloader tray and Auto-spooling catch trays. The tabs needed careful alignment when sliding into the slots and caught slightly the first couple of times I tried. Probably a rough edge or something as it's been absolutely fine ever since. Overall, this is an excellent scanning kit and I'd highly recommend it.
Great product with quality build. I bought the 120 film version and will buy the 35mm version next.
This was very well put together and it prints to perfection, once put together it scans my negatives flawlessly!
I cannot fault this thing. Printed and assembled from the studio, supplied with very clear instruction on print settings and assembly. The Tone carrier has given me faith in achieving high quality digital output, without the need for lab services.
Solid materials, precise movements and easy set up! Happy buyer!!!
The 120 scanning kit works fantastically and is a great value. Additionally, the customer support is top-notch. I plan to add the 35mm kit to my practice as well. Highly recommended.
Great solution for my 120 film scanning - would definitely recommend
There isnt much to say except it just works! Printed on my P1S Printer, assembly was simple (maybe a more elastic belt for an easier assembly?) and works like a charm. Its made my scanning set up faster and easier and i couldnt be happier, defo buying the 120 kit next!
Flawless handling and really well made, congratulations on this product, thought through down to the last detail.
I’m really into 3D printing and DIY projects, so I bought the STL files along with the hardware kit. I printed everything on my Bambu Lab A1 mini (yes, it’s possible to print it on a 180x180 plate, you just need to rotate most parts by 45° and slice them yourself). I used a high-quality print profile, and the results turned out great. 👌 After some time using it, I accidentally broke a part, but I just printed a new one. That’s one of the best parts of this setup - infinite repairability through 3D printing. I highly recommend getting the full scanning kit, since the easy loader and catch trays work beautifully. The whole scanning process is easy and feels smooth. I also really enjoy how the film advances using the knobs - super satisfying! As for film flatness, it’s pretty good overall. I only notice slight issues on the first or last frame of a roll, which seems to be common with most film holders. I haven’t compared it to others, but I’ve heard people report similar (or worse) flatness problems even on higher-end models like the VALOI Easy 120. Great product, 100% recommend! 😄
This holder keeps 120 film absolutely flat — exactly what I needed for high-quality scans. Build quality is great, and customer service was outstanding. Strongly recommend!
Great scanning solution for 35mm film. Design is very well considered and product is good quality. Would recommend!
This is a fantastic addition to my film carrier. Keeping my film nice and smooth for my scans. As far as customer service goes, they are terrific.
Great negative holder in 35 and 120. Negatives are held very flat and kept scratch free.
I got the stl only version and print all the parts in a professional store in my country. I really liked the procedure and the assembly.
Excellent product for a 35mm film carrier that's well designed and keeps the negative flat for scanning. Arrived very quickly, would highly recommend!
This holder is absolutely incredible! It’s honestly ridiculous how well thought out the design is… I tried a lot of the big brands currently producing holders and was left a little disappointed, this holder left me excited (and motivated) to scan all my negatives. The only thing I could see improvements on is the way in which any additional parts (film rollers) clip into place. On my first use I heard a slight cracking noise and it feels (somewhat) prone to snapping - in saying that none of the products are damaged and appear to work perfectly. Excited to see any other products this company comes out with.
I've used the Valoi system, the Negative Supply system, and the Cumulus system. The ToneCarrier is the best of them all, and superb value as well. Thank you for a great product!
I’ve tried another 35mm film holder from Etsy and I honestly regret not getting this the first time around. I can’t believe how easy it was to process one roll through this even without the little wheels. If you’re trying to find a home film scanning set-up with a camera, I would recommend this.
The TonePhotographic holders are incredible well designed and made, this is my second one. They are well thought out and the printing quality is top notch. Jake is very helpful at all stages.
I've used pretty much every film scanning setup that's out there and after one roll with the toneCarrier, I'm gonna say this is the best scanning rig available - and not just for the price. The amount of engineering and thought that went into this blew my mind. It took a full day of printing but the assembly took me literally five minutes. It's a robust carrier that keeps my negatives flat and allows me to scan a roll in 1-2 minutes thanks to the beautiful scroll knobs. The complete build feels really heavy in the hands, especially for a 3D print. The only thing I didn't care for were the framing masks. If you want maximum coverage of your negative, I would avoid using them since the corners are rounded; I ended up losing more than I wanted after cropping. Highly recommend the toneCarrier 120!!
You will also need: a camera with a standard remote shutter input, and a copy stand or a sturdy tripod to mount it over the scanning kit.
toneScan is a film scanning system for digital cameras. It combines the toneLight RGB light, the motorised toneCarrier film holder and the toneScan Studio software, so digitising film with your camera is fast and effortless.
toneLight is our light panel made specifically for film scanning. Its red, green and blue LED arrays are picked for the best channel separation with colour negative film. It also has a 95 CRI white panel for slides and black and white film, and an 880 nm infrared panel for dust reduction with compatible cameras.
toneCarrier is our film holder for 35 mm and 120 film, used by thousands of photographers around the world. The motorised version feeds and advances the film for you, and any existing toneCarrier can be upgraded to it in less than 5 minutes.
A digital camera with the right light and film holder gives results comparable to a lab scanner, often with more resolution and flexibility, using gear you may already own. toneScan uses the same technique as lab scanners, separate red, green and blue exposures, and automates the rest, so a full roll takes about two minutes.
The toneScan kit (toneLight, the motorised toneCarrier and toneScan Studio), a camera with a standard remote shutter input, and a copy stand or a sturdy tripod to mount it over the kit. toneScan Studio runs on macOS and Windows.
Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform. You back a project by pledging for one of its rewards, and your card is only charged if the project reaches its funding goal by the end of the campaign. Our campaign will help us raise funds for the final prototyping, manufacturing and certification of toneScan.
Any camera with a standard remote shutter input. toneLight triggers the shutter directly and never touches your exposure settings, so metering stays in your hands. All major brands.
There is a 3.5 mm shutter release cable port which can trigger all popular cameras.
It uses a USB-C PD power supply, so it will run on any PD capable power bank or charger.
Red: 650–670 nm
Green: 520–540 nm
Blue: 440–455 nm
White: 95 CRI, 5700 K
Infrared: 880 nm
35 mm and 120, and motorised upgrades are available for both. Frame spacing can be set to any standard frame size or a custom one, and half-frame masks are available. The motor drive also makes automatic 6x17 capture possible: it takes two shots of each frame, which are then stitched together. 16 mm, 4x5 and 8x10 are not supported.
Yes, because by extracting only the relevant RGB channel from each single-colour capture, you are effectively simulating a monochrome camera with some reduction in resolution.
Yes, this is an ideal scenario, but it is not required to get excellent results. An advantage is that a monochrome/full spectrum sensor allows using the IR array for dust removal in software.
Not yet. toneLight has an 880 nm infrared panel for dust reduction, but toneScan Studio doesn't support it yet. It also needs a monochrome or full-spectrum camera, because regular camera sensors have a built-in filter that blocks almost all infrared light.
For most negatives, comparable, and better in resolution and flexibility. Two honest caveats: transport is currently open-loop (a small jog every few frames), and a Bayer sensor is softer at deep red and blue than a mono camera. Both are in active development.
toneLight has a high-CRI white mode for slides. Slides are positive, so they work like normal photos in any editor, so toneScan Studio isn't required.
toneScan Studio does it for you. It captures and merges the RAW files from any camera, and exports them as JPEG or 16-bit TIFF. You can also combine them by hand in Photoshop.
toneScan Studio is the intended workflow and what the system is built around. The three captures are standard RAW, so anyone comfortable with manual channel work can experiment elsewhere. For slides, any editor works with no extra steps.
About two minutes to capture in semi-auto. In hot-folder mode, toneScan Studio merges scans as they arrive, so by the time you step away from the rig the files are ready to preview.
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