Last year, we tested out the original Valoi easy35 from the folks at Kamerastore, aka Kameratori, in Finland. The product was so intuitive to use that we rated it among the most convenient ways to scan 35mm film negatives and slides. Now the team at Valoi is back with an upgrade – the easy35 v2, which appears to be a complete redesign with mostly new components.
Valoi says the easy35 v2 has a lot of advantages over the original. The most notable aspect here is the material used in the design. They’ve swapped out the 3D-printed nylon body for a smooth, sleek injection-molded ABS. This is clearly evident in the improved surface finish and results in 5 to 10 times tighter mechanical tolerances. The all-metal rotation mechanism provides more precise, smoother alignment of the light source with the attached tubes. Accessory mounting is magnetic too now, for items like the easy35 duster attachment.
The light source has also undergone significant changes. Valoi tells us that edge-to-edge light uniformity is near-perfect now, improving on the original model’s 80%. They were able to develop a CRI 95+ fixed-color-temperature source designed for “pre-balancing” color negatives while remaining neutral for E6 and B&W. They claim this helps solve the problem of the orange-shifted tint on color negatives and preserves maximum detail during digitization. New holders have also been developed and now the series comprises 35mm Standard, 35mm Half-Frame, 35mm Sprockets, 35mm Mounted Slides (50 x 50 mm), APS, Minox, 126, and 1120 holders.
Battery life is more than doubled and you get around 4 hours with the easy35 v2. Unlike what I observed with the v1 model, you can now directly power the light source via a USB-C cable, thanks to the Smart Battery Bypass technology here. This preserves the inbuilt battery’s life and also reduces heat dissipation. If the build quality is as good as the original’s I have no doubt in the longevity of the v2, but Valoi adds confidence by saying that the easy35 v2 is fully repairable, and uses standard screws instead of clips or glue. Electronic components and the battery, too, are easily replaceable should the need ever arise.
We gave the original Valoi easy35 a whole five stars in our review. An easy product to set up, I was able to breeze through scanning entire rolls of film within a matter of minutes. No copy stand, no worrying about camera shake – the system developed by the team at Valoi is so simple to use, and it gave me very consistent results.
Valoi is a name that has been earning respect in the film photography accessories world. It is a Finnish word meaning light and creation, and their mission focuses on making film workflows easier without losing the core of analog photography. With the Valoi easy35 film scanner, they have created something truly practical.
Valoi is launching the easy35 v2 at the same price – €229 (approximately USD 272). Pre-orders open today, Feb 26th, and if you order anytime from now until the 26th of March, you can get the v2 for just €199 (USD 236). It’s even more affordable if you already own the easy35 – just order the Loyalty Upgrade Kit for €139 (USD 165), and you can continue to use your existing extension tubes with the new light source
Shipping begins in April.
Images seen in this article were provided for use by Valoi