The medium format experience is a beautiful, slow-motion dream—until you have to scan it. If you’ve ever spent three hours wrestling with flimsy plastic holders only to get a "sharp-ish" scan of a 6x7 negative, you know the pain.
Enter the VALOI easy120.
This isn't just another film holder; it’s a complete, modular ecosystem designed to turn your digital camera into a high-speed, high-resolution scanning powerhouse. Here is everything you need to know about the easy120 and why it’s becoming the gold standard for hybrid photographers in 2026.
(Kodak Gold 200 in 120, shot with Plaubel Makina 67 and scanned with VALOI easy120)
What is the VALOI easy120?
The easy120 is a macro lens-mounted camera scanning kit specifically built for 120 medium format film, though it’s modular enough to handle 35mm too. We at VALOI refer to this as a "closed system" because the easy120 attaches directly onto the macro lens unlike the older "copy stand" method, which we call an "open system".
By locking the camera, lens, and film into a single rigid unit using CNC-machined aluminum tubes, it eliminates the two biggest enemies of home scanning: vibration and misalignment.
Key Technical Specs:
- Film Support: 120 film (up to 6x9), 35mm, and slides (with additional holders).
- Light Source: Integrated CineStill CS-LITE (95+ CRI).
- Construction: All-metal (CNC-machined aluminum).
- Mounting: Standard 62mm filter thread (includes adapters from 39mm to 77mm).
Why It Beats the Flatbed (and the Competition)
1. Speed That Feels Like Cheating
With a traditional flatbed scanner, a roll of 120 can take 30–45 minutes. With the easy120’s pull-through "S-curve" holders, you can digitize an entire roll of 120 in under two minutes. The S-curve design is the secret sauce—it applies just enough tension to keep the film perfectly flat without the need for glass (and the dreaded Newton rings that come with it).
2. Lab-Quality Sharpness
Because the system is physically attached to your lens, there is zero chance of the film plane shifting relative to your sensor. If you use a high-quality macro lens and a 24MP+ sensor, you are effectively capturing more detail than almost any consumer-grade dedicated film scanner on the market.
3. The "No Copy Stand" Revolution
Copy stands are bulky, expensive, and not exactly beginner friendly to level. The easy120’s footprint is about the size of a computer keyboard. When you’re done, you can unscrew the tubes and tuck the whole thing into a desk drawer. It’s the ultimate setup for photographers working in small spaces.
Setting Up Your easy120 Workflow
The "easy" in the name isn't just marketing. Here is the typical workflow:
- Choose your tubes: Stack the aluminum distance tubes based on your lens's focal length.
- Mount up: Screw the assembly onto your macro lens’s filter thread.
- Power on: Plug the built-in CS-LITE into a USB-A port. It features three color modes (Cool for slides, Warm for Black & White, and a dedicated setting for Color Negatives).
- Scan: Pull your film through, click the shutter, and move to the next frame.
Pro Tip: For the best results, use the VALOI Advancer. It adds a film advancing knob to the side of the holder, allowing you to "crank" through the roll with satisfying, tactile precision.
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Investment?
The VALOI easy120 isn't the cheapest scanning solution, but it is likely the last one you’ll ever need to buy. If you value your time, want full creative control and want to actually see the resolution your medium format glass is capable of, it’s a no-brainer.
It bridges the gap between "hobbyist DIY" and "professional lab" results, all while fitting into a backpack.
(Ilford FP4+ 35mm shot with Panon Widelux F7 and scanned with VALOI easy120 and 35mm panoramic holder)
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