Wait. Isn't IMAX now digital? The current "IMAX with Laser" projectors are digital. But the term is evolving. Today, many movies shot on IMAX-certified digital cameras (like the Arri Alexa 65, which is not actually IMAX film) still require a "fake film scan."
. While traditional 35mm film is roughly eight times smaller than an IMAX frame, scanning 15-perf 65mm film demands specialized hardware to capture the "unrivaled" detail that has defined the format for decades. The Mechanics of the Scan imax film scan
: Professional scans aim to maintain the "integrity of the entire scanned area," often including the film's edges and perforations rather than cropping them. But the term is evolving
: While digital cameras often peak at 4K or 8K, a 15-perforation 70mm IMAX frame has a theoretical resolution of up to 18K . However, practical scans for editing and restoration typically range between 6K and 11K to maintain fidelity without creating unmanageable file sizes. The Mechanics of the Scan : Professional scans