Makeshift film scanner

[acparsons76]

I've been trying out different ways to scan film.
I built this out of a fold-up table, LED screen, film holder sitting on a small container, a shampoo bottle , and 2 kettle balls to hold up the LED. I used a D300 with a Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 AI-S lens. I used an old camera cage to hold the camera.

I think that I used Nikon FM2 with a 50 1.4 on Fomanpan 200 for the shots. Here are the results. both were shot at 1/8, f5.6, at ISO 1250. All tips for improving are welcome.

 

[Hardus Nameous136 84]

Very creative. I may have to emulate that if I can't get my 4x5 enlarger aligned.

 

[acparsons76]

 

[cgw136 162]

If it works, who cares? DSLR scans do require some futzing with alignment, neg flattening and focus. Once dialed, the results aren't half bad. A real macro lens is pretty much necessary however you rig things. I use an old Manfrotto copy stand and a small art store bargain table light box.
Nice set-up!

 

[acparsons76]

If it works, who cares? DSLR scans do require some futzing with alignment, neg flattening and focus. Once dialed, the results aren't half bad. A real macro lens is pretty much necessary however you rig things. I use an old Manfrotto copy stand and a small art store bargain table light box.
Nice set-up!

Thanks! I upgraded from the kettle balls and shampoo bottle to a small crate to hold the light pad. I found that legos work well to sit the film holder on.

 

[terri53]

Thanks! I upgraded from the kettle balls and shampoo bottle to a small crate to hold the light pad. I found that legos work well to sit the film holder on.

Agreed - the results are there and you can fiddle with them as digital files now, as you see fit. Success!

Kudos for the setup.

 

[cgw136 162]

Thanks! I upgraded from the kettle balls and shampoo bottle to a small crate to hold the light pad. I found that legos work well to sit the film holder on.

I'm goofing around with a large stack of empty gas gift cards to make hinged 35mm and 120 neg holders. Duct tape and careful cutting. Just might work!

 

[acparsons76]

I'm goofing around with a large stack of empty gas gift cards to make hinged 35mm and 120 neg holders. Duct tap and careful cutting. Just might work!

Great idea!

 

[cgw136 162]

Not hijacking your thread but here's a scan from my homebrew set-up:
MamiyaRB67 Pro S+Sekor 90/3.8C+Kodak TMY-2
DSLR scan: Nikon D7200+Micro Nikkor 40/2.8

 

[acparsons76]

Awesome! What set up did you use light/tripod/etc...?

 

[acparsons76]

For the least week, I've been looking for a pipe and flange to make a camera stand. Not easy here. I decided to try the bottom half of my mono-pod. The result is pretty good I think.

 

[fish3232]

I made this one, but I bought a cheap one off Ali Express that works better.
IMG_20210601_132604312 by William Heron, on Flickr

 

[cgw136 162]

The grail with any set-up is nailing spot-on parallel sensor plane and neg alignment. If you can find one, old small-ish copy stands with ratchet or clamp post and 90 degree camera mount solve the problem. Ball heads are maddening to align.