Copying photographic prints

gregbartgis wrote:

Part two of this question is about copying negs. First of all - how do I get reversals using LR5 or Aperture? Can this be done with these - or should I consider yet another editor? Once converted to positive images, what is best for obtaining long tonal scale prints and anything else I've forgotten toask about? All suggestions will be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!!

First fact, the 12MP E-PL1 is a bit of not quite good enough for film copy, I gave up with mine long time ago, but when the 16MP E-PL5 camera along then the results are a world apart. Cheap E-PM2 a good idea?

Second fact, reversing B&W negs is straight forward, but colour negs are a total nightmare, best to use a real film scanner for them.

My current film to file setup is this.....

E-PL5 with 60mm macro, FL-LM1 in RC mode, FL-36R in RC TTL mode. Jpeg Natural with Saturation, Contrast and Sharpness all at -1 and Gradation Auto gives me a good idea of how the RAW file will work. Blinkies on review reveal any weirdness and use flash comp to adjust, mostly left at plus 1.3 in my case, sometimes a bit less.

No need for delays or remote releases as (with a little bit of ambient light on the slide) the AF is fast and accurate and the flash pop so quick that shake issues don't figure at all.

Touch screen shooting on a part of the slide/film that has good contrasty edges, never misses even with quite low ambient light on the film.

I am truly getting all that is worthwhile off the film when using the 16MP sensor, can make old dense and murky slides come to life and see detail that I could not see when projected.

The camera sits on a screw thread macro slider, some old Velbon thing, still made but more plasticky now, don't know how old and new compare.

To download I use the USB cable. Of course if the battery goes flat then I have to upset everything to change it.

The thick aluminium channel holds everything in steady alignment, the (keeps varying in style and purpose) centre jig now is holding slide and strip carriers from my Microtek film scanner, but the jig also holds an old slide projector 2 slide push-pull holder for both 35mm and medium format sizes.

A piece of milky white acrylic sheet diffuses the flash a bit, it is sprayed black on camera side except for a 36x24mm window for the light.

I've also used the Nikon ES-1 on the front of the 35mm macro lens for good slide copies but prefer my rig shown above as it can do everything and holds the TTL flash nicely in place.

As for prints, I usually scan them on a flatbed, even a cheapy Brother A3 size one does OK for bigger ones but when critical the Epson V700 does OK for up to A4 size. Silky grain prints are a nightmare and then careful diffused lighting and the camera are the only way to avoid shiny bits.

http://scantips.com/es-1.html  is helpful for slides/film to camera info.

Regards....... Guy