Ok, testing out a Tamron 90mm marco (Di iii). So the comparison is:
-Nikkor 55mm 2.8 micro with PB6 bellows and PS6 slide copy attachment
-Tamron 90 2.8 with a darkroom neg carrier
-Tamron 90 2.8 with a glass darkroom neg carrier
Those were all at F8. I also did:
-Tamron 90 2.8 with a glass carrier at 5.6. I was assuming the neg is flat, doesn't need the depth of field and I might eek out some more resolution
-I didn't do anything to the files except: rotate, flip, and invert. So the images look flat and this first series shows how much of the full frame (on a Sony A7Rv) the image consumes.
-Nikon 55 w/bellows
-Tamron 90 with neg carrier
-Tamron 90 with glass carrier
-The same but at 5.6
I'm seeing more flair/haze with the bellows setup. There's carboard with a cutout in front of the slide copy attachment and some black tape around the edge. The 90 had a lens hood but there was still a gap between the hood and the carrier.
Here's the bottom right corner in the same order:
The 55mm holds its own. There's some haze or lower contrast, but that could be corrected in post processing. The glass carrier also shows a hint of haze or lower contrast, so that's interesting.
Finally, I took the F8 glass carrier shot and worked on it a bit.
I think the big reason to choose the Tamron (or an autofocus lens) is the obvious stuff.
-It's autofocus and the bellows is kind of tedious.
-On a copy stand, I find it easier, to walk over to the light table and load a negative compared to the bellows with the extra tape and cardboard mask. It I was working on a tripod and pointed out the window, I think the bellows would be easier. You can blow off the neg carrier after the neg is loaded, and I think that will lead to less dust. I haven't noticed a need to refocus the 55 each image. It seems the negative is in the same position, but I'm not sure my perfectionism would allow that.
-I'm hoping the essential neg carrier will be a step easier. For 4x5 I'll still use a neg carrier.
-Is it worth the cost? I looking at this as a time saver, so eventually it will be. I can always sell the lens for a couple hundred less and look at it was a rental. I can also try some macro shots.
Hope that helps some folks.
Jan 09, 2026 at 05:18 PM
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