psharratt
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: On
|
I use a Nikon D800/Nikon 55mm f2.8/Nikon PK-13 extension tube/Valoi advancer/Raleno light/Kaiser copystand. I have also used a Rodenstock APO 75mm enlarging lens on a bellows/Nikon D800 set-up. Did not see much difference with either lens and usually end up using the 55mm. Several factors affect the quality of the scan: (1) film flatness; (2) lens parallel to film plane; (3) setting film holder correctly to ensure scan is straight; and (4) movement during exposure. Valoi, Essential Film Holder, Negative Supply, film holders from enlargers or scanners will hold the film flat for scanning. I use small levels to make sure the lens is parallel to the film plane (there is also some mirror trick that I have not tried yet). Number 3 can be tricky with 35mm but I use a focus target that has horizontal/vertical lines for proper alignment of the scan. I have put small silicone circles used in cabinetry to make sure nothing moves on the copy stand (light source or film adapter) and also blue painters tape. I have L's cut from flocking paper to cut down on the stray light from the light source and am in the process of adding 2 additional legs to the table to stabilize it during exposures. Nikon's mirror up exposure delay is also useful for reducing vibrations in the scanning process.
It does take time to set this up but once in place I end up scanning a roll of 35mm in about 5 minutes, less time for 120/220, and yet to try 4x5. I try to scan the same size film one after the other (but I often shoot both 35mm and 120mm film at shoots ).
I import scans into Lightroom and then use Negative Lab Pro to convert. If you save as a tiff file the sliders in Lightroom move in the same orientation in Develop mode as digital images. If one saves as a converted Raw file the sliders act in opposite ways.
I have found the D800 to work well but will also test a borrowed Sony A7RIV, D850/Z7(II) to see if there is any quality gain. Perhaps for 120 film.
Hope this helps. Tilted camera, crooked film holder, stray light, and vibration are your worst enemies.
|
