I just use a $20 lightpad off of Amazon. Works totally fine w the ES-2 but if you ever decide to scan 120 or larger film where your film will be sitting on the light source, I recommend a much higher quality light pad/source as the cheapo ones have hot spots etc.
That does not matter w the ES-2 as you will be holding the camera several inches away from the pad.
FYI you can totally use the ES-2 handheld - it’s what I do - there is no need to mount the camera on a tripod/copy stand etc as the unit w film essentially is one w the camera. No need to worry about shake.
You can test this yourself.
I've used a flash in the past. That worked fine, but harder for my D600 at the time to focus in live view without a brighter constant light source. But it did work and I scanned thousands of frames like that. Rechargeable AA's made it entirely feasible.
Now I use a Negative Supply light pad. Works well.
As far as light quality, I noticed a small difference in color separation when I went from a no-name Amazon flash to a Nikon flash, but I didn't really see a difference between the Nikon flash or the high-CRI NS pad. And even the iPhone screen is fine with other scanning methods. The ES-2 has a thicker diffuser so the iPhone may not quite be bright enough, but the light quality is just fine.
Thanks all for your responses. Several options, I see.
I have an SB800 and a Godox softbox. I guess that might be an option. Both of them are collecting dust and might be a good use.
KankRat wrote:
Thanks all for your responses. Several options, I see.
I have an SB800 and a Godox softbox. I guess that might be an option. Both of them are collecting dust and might be a good use.
As you already have that stuff, definitely try that first!
KankRat wrote:
Thanks all for your responses. Several options, I see.
I have an SB800 and a Godox softbox. I guess that might be an option. Both of them are collecting dust and might be a good use.
Yeah, try it. The SB-800 is what I switched to and it did really well. I put the camera on a tripod and had the flash standing on a shelf a few feet away. I've been thinking about revisiting this setup with the Z's.
I also just use the JJC variant with the attachable LED light. Easy to use just need to adjust alignment because the film holder is not high tolerance. Very bright so kills ambient enough too. Just tape or make a little support for the USB power slot because it's fragile.
ftllens wrote:
I also just use the JJC variant with the attachable LED light. Easy to use just need to adjust alignment because the film holder is not high tolerance. Very bright so kills ambient enough too. Just tape or make a little support for the USB power slot because it's fragile.
The Nikon ES-2 also has that film holder wiggle. No big deal, get used to it very quickly.
I use a Viltrox light panel I got year ago for video. It's the L116T. If you buy something just look for the best CRT number you can find. I was using a cheap LED light table before and that was just NOT up for the job. So just get something that can crank out a proper 5500k.
Regarding the film holder thingy - I wish they made one like Epson did where it was easy to load and had no frame boarders. I might try and make one when I get my resin lab going again (aka cleaning out my garage).
ottokbre wrote:
I use a Viltrox light panel I got year ago for video. It's the L116T. If you buy something just look for the best CRT number you can find. I was using a cheap LED light table before and that was just NOT up for the job. So just get something that can crank out a proper 5500k.
Regarding the film holder thingy - I wish they made one like Epson did where it was easy to load and had no frame boarders. I might try and make one when I get my resin lab going again (aka cleaning out my garage). ...Show more →
You could just get the ES-2 knock off and remove the borders from the film strip holder.
Desmolicious wrote:
You could just get the ES-2 knock off and remove the borders from the film strip holder.
Maybe they sell just the film strip holder?
The Epson design is nice because it's super easy to load. You put on end in a little catch, then since it's square it lays down perfectly and snap the top on. The ES-2 knock off holder never lines up right so even when it's closed I'm touching the film trying to budge it in place.
Here are the two compared.
And here you can see the notch at the foot of the thing. Push the end of the film strip into there and it's lined up.
