A modern 35mm film scanner for home

Nov 11, 2025 - 20:49
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A modern 35mm film scanner for home

Knokke redefines film scanning by bringing modern imaging, optics, and software into a beautifully engineered device.

4064

DPI Resolution

120 dB

Dynamic Range

48-bit

True Color

The modern 35 mm film scanner that captures a full roll in under just a few minutes while capturing every frame at 4064 DPI and 48bit colour. Its custom optics and state-of-the-art sensor deliver benchmark setting quality and speed at a price only Knokke can offer.

Built for the 21st century, Knokke runs on Korova, a lean C++ application that's native to Linux, macOS, and Windows—so you can forget vintage PCs and enjoy a plug-and-play workflow that lets you focus on your photos.

Each frame can have custom scan settings, repeatable across multiple scans for consistent results and tailored workflows. The scanner can also skip directly to requested frames, massively accelerating scanning time and enabling fast access to key shots without unnecessary delay.

Specifications.

IMAGING SYSTEM

SENSOR

Backside illumintaed CMOS Sensor

DYNAMIC RANGE

linear dynamic range of 78 dB, expandable to 120 dB with native 16-bit HDR log profile, up to 14 stops of range

RESOLUTION

Max. 4064 dpi (~22 MP), 2032 dpi (~5,5MP)

LENS

Custom 4 element lens with high MTF (modulation transfer function)

LIGHT SOURCE

RGB LED backlight

PERFORMANCE & WORKFLOW

Scan Speed

per roll under 5 minutes (4064 dpi), under 2 minutes (2032 dpi)

FILM TRANSPORT

automated, min. strip length 3 images

FRAME CONTROL

per-frame scan settings, skip directly to any frame

DXN DECODER

reads 35 mm DX codes, embeds film type, ISO, roll info into metadata

SOFTWARE

Korova (native for Windows, macOS, Linux)

FILE FORMATS

RAW, TIFF, DNG linear, JPEG, PNG, BMP, HDR

FILE SIZES

RAW/TIFF/DNG linear ~127 MB; JPEG XL (lossless) 42–52 MB; PNG 106–118 MB

HARDWARE

DIMENSIONS

250 × 150 × 63 mm

WEIGHT

1400 grams

INTERFACE

USB-C (USB 3.1)

POWER SUPPLY

18 V DC, 2 A (included)

Frequently

Asked

Questions.

Will Knokke support 120 film, panoramic formats, or border scanning?

Knokke fully supports any frame width on 35 mm (135) film, thanks to automatic edge detection. It can also perform partial border scans to preserve maximum resolution and frame content. (120 film support is not part of the first release but is under consideration for the future.)

What kind of light source and sensor does Knokke use?

Knokke uses an RGB LED backlight, precisely wavelength-matched to a modern backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. The sensor features 2 μm pixels and delivers a 78 dB linear dynamic range in 12-bit mode, expandable to 120 dB (≈ 14 stops) with the 3-step HDR log mode at native 16-bit output. This combination ensures accurate colour reproduction, tonal smoothness, and detail retention in both highlights and shadows.

What makes Knokke different from other scanners like the Fuji Frontier, Nikon Coolscan, or camera-stand setups?

Knokke combines speed, scanning quality, and ease of use in a compact form factor. It scans a full 35 mm roll in under 5 minutes, offers per-frame customisation, and requires no legacy computer hardware or drivers.

Will example scans be shared before launch?

Yes. We’re collaborating with several film labs in Berlin to benchmark Knokke against Fuji Frontier and Noritsu scanners. Sample results will be published before the Kickstarter campaign, so you can make a fully informed decision.

Is the software open source?

Yes. Our control application, Korova, will be fully open source and maintained long term. It’s a native, lightweight application for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

How much is Knokke going to cost?

Knokke will cost 999€ at launch. We are still working on bringing the price down further threw optimising design and sourcing. It's final retail price is set at 1599€.

Is Knokke open, repairable, and long-term supported?

Absolutely. We’re committed to building a scanner that lasts decades. All schematics and repair manuals will be publicly available, replacement parts can be purchased directly, and the software will remain supported for as long as possible.

When will Knokke be available?

Knokke will launch on Kickstarter.com in Q1 2026. Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first notified about updates.

Can I become a beta tester?

Thank you for your interest! We’ve received an incredible number of requests to join our beta testing program. We’ll be running two separate testing rounds - one in collaboration with selected creators and film labs, and another open to members of our community.

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