Activatedfx wrote:
That scanning setup is amazing! The anti-static dust brush! But then I looked at the prices... wow. I'd want a 120 setup, and we're talking $1,000+...
The NS film scanning kit has greatly reduced the time it has taken me to scan film. I’m not going to sugar coat it. It’s not cheap. Personally, I find the value hits big in two areas: 1) Time and, 2) Quality.
Time
I use to spend at a minimum 45minutes trying to scan only the negatives that I find interesting. I can scan a whole roll in ~5-7 minutes...and that’s the whole roll and not just the “interesting” shots. One time (initial) setup time is about ~8 minutes.
Quality
All previous methods I’ve tried for carrying the film pale in comparison. I have a PlusTek 8200i and Nikon 8000 Coolscan scanners and this NS kit’s negative flatness surpasses even those. I even modified the 120 film carrier of the Coolscan to use Anti Newton Ring Glass (for dry and wet mounting), and that whole process took even longer, was messier with potential for damage to the scanner...and the image quality improvement was marginally better than the stock 120 film Coolscan carrier. I’ve tried various other film carriers and they suffered from flatness capability as well. I have an Essential Film Holder on the way too. I will make comparisons between it and the NS film carriers. I’m expecting similar, if not the same results as the NS Kit...and for less $$$! Will still use the NS riser and lighting with the EFH.
Desmolicious wrote:
Photo Source is a very cool shop, I shoulda pulled the trigger on a perfect M6 they had in there. But their film seems kinda pricey. 5 pack of Kodak ProImage 100 for $40. It's $25 elsewhere (but admittedly would have to be mail order).
I always love popping in the Photo Source when I’m in the neighborhood. I enjoy chatting with the two workers there. Very nice and humble folks! When I was there last, about two weeks ago, they had an M6 along with a few M3s and an M2 on display for sale. Their gear prices are ok for a retail photo establishment, but are a bit more compared to online offerings. At least you can put your hands on the gear and make a decision whether or not to take it home.
They have the largest film selection in Sacramento compared to the other two camera shops in the area. It’s cheaper to buy the film online, but if you’re in a hurry or just want to buy a roll (or sheet film) or two, then they’re pretty convenient. Plus, all their film is kept in a temperature regulated fridge. Also, you can always use their darkroom in the back to make some B&W prints if you have a keeper you’d like to make a tradition physical print. I don’t have the space to have my own darkroom, so I’m glad I have that option without having to attend:register a photo class at a community college. Good stuff!
I hope you had a fun time while you were in Sac! Come back again!!! For a small Capitol city, there’s quite a bit to see and do here. Covid permitting...
Alpha_Geist wrote:
RC County Hobbies! I use to frequent that hobby shop when I flew RC planes. They moved a little while back, but I haven’t been to their new location since my usual flying grounds are now filled with new and model homes.
I still shop at Photo Source across the street for film, black and white chemistry and the occasional darkroom print.
Wonder if we ever flew together? I used to go to school and work at Sac State. I shopped at Country all the time and would fly wherever I could. Kept my Tiger Moth and radio in my car.
kwoodard wrote:
Wonder if we ever flew together? I used to go to school and work at Sac State. I shopped at Country all the time and would fly wherever I could. Kept my Tiger Moth and radio in my car.
It's very possible! I use to fly in Elk Grove around Bilby road right next to the 99 and the Promenade shopping center, which seemed to be in a constant state of decay. Now the land we use to fly on is all populated with track homes. My favorite foamies were the Parkzone F4F Wildcat (w/ a 9x9 prop & 15 series brushless) & T-28 Trojan T-28 (in grey and navy blue) with an E-Flight 15 series brushless.
Alpha_Geist wrote:
It's very possible! I use to fly in Elk Grove around Bilby road right next to the 99 and the Promenade shopping center, which seemed to be in a constant state of decay. Now the land we use to fly on is all populated with track homes. My favorite foamies were the Parkzone F4F Wildcat (w/ a 9x9 prop & 15 series brushless) & T-28 Trojan T-28 (in grey and navy blue) with an E-Flight 15 series brushless.
Probably did then. I didn’t do much flying anymore while working out at Apple in Elk Grove, did some at both locations you mentioned.
First test roll of Tri-X 400 through my Malefic 6x17, out on the slopes of Mt. Diablo, here in California. I'm using a Nikkor 90/8 lens. I had some issue with the film rolling evenly and ended up with a curve in the surface on the left side. This is actually a crop of the original frame and still 75 megapixels left here.
Scanned with my A7rII and Hasselblad 120/4 CF Makro-Planar lens adapted.
grahamgibson wrote:
Scanned with my A7rII and Hasselblad 120/4 CF Makro-Planar lens adapted.
Hi Graham, nice work with your new 6x17! Just curious, did you scan by taking several shots and stitching? Or one shot from a waaaaays back? Trying to figure out a new solution, as the flatbed scanner isn't really cutting it
helimat wrote:
Hi Graham, nice work with your new 6x17! Just curious, did you scan by taking several shots and stitching? Or one shot from a waaaaays back? Trying to figure out a new solution, as the flatbed scanner isn't really cutting it
Thanks, Mat! I scanned at somewhere around 2:1 magnification, so the file is a stitch of 6 images. I flattened the film against a lightbox with some weights and moved the whole thing around under my tripod for each shot. It captures the detail very well--my final cropped file was 75MP.
I wasn't 100% satisfied though. There's some vignetting in some of the stitched areas, and I was surprised that the different projection methods came up with varied results (I think this was cylindrical?). I have shift adapters for my Hasselblad lens to Sony, so next I may try shifting the camera and leaving the lens/film in the same spot to see if that works better. I could probably solve the vignetting by just taking more pictures though.
grahamgibson wrote:
Thanks, Mat! I scanned at somewhere around 2:1 magnification, so the file is a stitch of 6 images. I flattened the film against a lightbox with some weights and moved the whole thing around under my tripod for each shot. It captures the detail very well--my final cropped file was 75MP.
I wasn't 100% satisfied though. There's some vignetting in some of the stitched areas, and I was surprised that the different projection methods came up with varied results (I think this was cylindrical?). I have shift adapters for my Hasselblad lens to Sony, so next I may try shifting the camera and leaving the lens/film in the same spot to see if that works better. I could probably solve the vignetting by just taking more pictures though....Show more →
Interesting, thanks for your reply. I'd like to see how the shift adapter works out, in theory it should work well.
I eyed that up. I don't shoot enough film really to justify that, someday perhaps. Will settle for Plustek and paying someone else to do my 120. Though had that been out prior to me spending on my first macro scanning setup, I probably would only be out an extra two or three hundred dollars at this point.
Alpha_Geist wrote:
The NS film scanning kit has greatly reduced the time it has taken me to scan film. I’m not going to sugar coat it. It’s not cheap. Personally, I find the value hits big in two areas: 1) Time and, 2) Quality.
Time
I use to spend at a minimum 45minutes trying to scan only the negatives that I find interesting. I can scan a whole roll in ~5-7 minutes...and that’s the whole roll and not just the “interesting” shots. One time (initial) setup time is about ~8 minutes.
Quality
All previous methods I’ve tried for carrying the film pale in comparison. I have a PlusTek 8200i and Nikon 8000 Coolscan scanners and this NS kit’s negative flatness surpasses even those. I even modified the 120 film carrier of the Coolscan to use Anti Newton Ring Glass (for dry and wet mounting), and that whole process took even longer, was messier with potential for damage to the scanner...and the image quality improvement was marginally better than the stock 120 film Coolscan carrier. I’ve tried various other film carriers and they suffered from flatness capability as well. I have an Essential Film Holder on the way too. I will make comparisons between it and the NS film carriers. I’m expecting similar, if not the same results as the NS Kit...and for less $$$! Will still use the NS riser and lighting with the EFH. ...Show more →
My 4th shot on that roll had a really bad area where the film wasn't rolling up properly and staying flat in the camera, you can see it on the left side. Hopefully I just need to take more care to keep the film taught between the roll knobs when advancing. Aside from that, the exposure came out nicely and I liked the composition.
I don’t have the space to have my own darkroom, so I’m glad I have that option without having to attend:register a photo class at a community college. Good stuff!
Trying to figure out a new solution, as the flatbed scanner isn't really cutting it
Will settle for Plustek and paying someone else to do my 120. Though had that been out prior to me spending on my first macro scanning setup, I probably would only be out an extra two or three hundred dollars at this point.
