Camera Settings for digitizing slides/negatives

[bjn70]

Also this for me is a one time deal. My Dad passed, and I have 9500 slides from my childhood. I have been slowing going though the carousels and picking the slides I want. Looking like about 4500 will end up scanned. ~$2100. That is the cost of a used D850, then I need an ES-2 and the 60mm macro lens.

That's a high cost to scan a lot of slides. I digitized mine using a D7200 and electronic flash but I only had about 2000. I made a rig to hold my slide, camera and reflector, and I used an electronic flash. The scanning itself only took 3 hours or so, about 5 sec. per slide, the real time was processing the slides. I did a quick levels adjustment, maybe a few other things, probably about a minute per slide. I did this over a period of time while I was watching television so it wasn't really extra time. If a company is charging $0.45 per slide to put it in a machine and push a button then they are making a lot of money on that. If they are doing other processing on the slides then maybe they are earning it.

 

[Overrank]

Not sure why there is a discussion. Michael is correct, ES-2 only works with the D850 & D780...

This isn’t correct. I’ve used the JJC adapter (essentially a cheap version of the Nikon ES-2) with various Nikon DX cameras and the 40mm macro. Examples are here - https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67447217

In the past I’ve also used a proper Nikon ES-2 with a Nikon D610 and a 60mm Nikon macro lens

What *does* only work with the d850 and D780 is the in camera inversion of negatives to create a JPEG positive (as michaeladawson said). But there are lots of different pieces of software which can achieve the same, or better, outside of the camera.

Compatible because they can flip in body and make a JPG. Huge time saver. Sorry but I do not have time to manually do 4500 slides. (See my post below)

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67996650

Also keep in mind I am not looking for ultimate IQ. Many of these slides were from crappy p-n-s film cameras. I can tell the difference when Dad was using his Leica!!! ;-)

Most of the pieces software to do an inversion from negative to positive can do batch conversion - it wouldn’t be worth buying a D780/D850 just for the in-camera inversion. This feature mustn’t have been very popular because as far as I know none of the Z mount Nikons can do it, even though the ES-2 (or at least the JJC equivalent) will fit the 105mm Z macro, and a mirrorless camera could show the inverted image on the back in real time.

Slides of course don’t need to be inverted, although IT-8 calibration will help get the best out of them.

I agree that for most people the best solution is to pay someone else to do it. The key factor in scanning or digitising is the experience in using the equipment rather than the hardware itself. As I still actively use film (much more than digital) I’m scanning (Nikon CoolScan) a number of rolls a month and when I look back at my early scans I want to return and do them again for better quality,

Just working to get memories back that I did not have. I am 54 & just seeing pictures of things I forgot has been amazing. I have experienced every emotion seeing it all again.

Cannot wait to share with the family.

JJ

The ES-2 is only some tubes and a holder

OP must not have done any homework.



JJ

 

[LastLapPass]

Also this for me is a one time deal. My Dad passed, and I have 9500 slides from my childhood. I have been slowing going though the carousels and picking the slides I want. Looking like about 4500 will end up scanned. ~$2100. That is the cost of a used D850, then I need an ES-2 and the 60mm macro lens.

That's a high cost to scan a lot of slides. I digitized mine using a D7200 and electronic flash but I only had about 2000. I made a rig to hold my slide, camera and reflector, and I used an electronic flash. The scanning itself only took 3 hours or so, about 5 sec. per slide, the real time was processing the slides. I did a quick levels adjustment, maybe a few other things, probably about a minute per slide. I did this over a period of time while I was watching television so it wasn't really extra time. If a company is charging $0.45 per slide to put it in a machine and push a button then they are making a lot of money on that. If they are doing other processing on the slides then maybe they are earning it.

That is my constraint, time.

Do not think they are pushing a button. They have small processing staff. The files I get come back processed well, the people doing it care. I have only had to adjust a few.

Helping a local business too.

JJ

 

[Ruby Rod]

.... Most of the pieces software to do an inversion from negative to positive can do batch conversion - it wouldn’t be worth buying a D780/D850 just for the in-camera inversion. This feature mustn’t have been very popular because as far as I know none of the Z mount Nikons can do it, even though the ES-2 (or at least the JJC equivalent) will fit the 105mm Z macro, and a mirrorless camera could show the inverted image on the back in real time. .....

Actually any Z camera that can do custom picture controls can do it. Just flip the curve adjustment upside down. Now you can view it and save it. Doesn't help for RAW though.

I use an old PS-4 slide/film copy attachment with an adapter bar so I can use my Z 105mm MC lens. Works a treat, but most people probably aren't interested in making up an adapter, though it could be as simple as a piece of 2x4 with some holes and screws.

 

[Overrank]

.... Most of the pieces software to do an inversion from negative to positive can do batch conversion - it wouldn’t be worth buying a D780/D850 just for the in-camera inversion. This feature mustn’t have been very popular because as far as I know none of the Z mount Nikons can do it, even though the ES-2 (or at least the JJC equivalent) will fit the 105mm Z macro, and a mirrorless camera could show the inverted image on the back in real time. .....

Actually any Z camera that can do custom picture controls can do it. Just flip the curve adjustment upside down. Now you can view it and save it. Doesn't help for RAW though.

Does that correct for the “orange’ mask though ?

I use an old PS-4 slide/film copy attachment with an adapter bar so I can use my Z 105mm MC lens. Works a treat, but most people probably aren't interested in making up an adapter, though it could be as simple as a piece of 2x4 with some holes and screws.

I use the JJC adapter (functionally equivalent to the ES-2) with a Z7 and 105mm macro for 110 film - I use a CoolScan for 35mm as i think it does a better job.

 

[Ruby Rod]

No. AFAICT, dealing correctly with the orange mask is a pita. The mask is density dependent so you can't just subtract it out. Best results seem to come from dedicated programs. There's also a good tool in RawTherapee for both color and black and white negs.

 

[bjn70]

though it could be as simple as a piece of 2x4 with some holes and screws.

That's really overkill. I used a piece of 1x2.

 

[john isaacs]

I recently decided to purchase a Nikon ES-2 device for digitizing slides and negatives, which I will be using with a Nikon DX camera (D7200/D7500/Zfc) and the 40mm F2.8 DX macro lens. I would like to know what camera settings those of you that have done digitizing with an ES-2 have used. Shutter speed, F-stop, and picture control settings. Also, in using Lightroom to process the NEF files, what Lightroom settings to get an optimal image quality, and where in Lightroom might there be some features to clean up the dirt. (I will also use NX Studio, but I suppose Lightroom might have more features to clean up film defects.)

I have an Epson V600, but I recently found on Ebay a good deal on a clean 40mm F2.8 DX, and I decided to purchase the lens and give camera-based digitizing a try. I found the Epson V600 at times unsatisfactory for scanning negatives because it is susceptible to forming Newton Rings on the scan due to the curvature of the negatives.

Thanks for your help.

How many files? I have 9500 to go through & have researched this extensively. Let a pro do it...

This is all a VERY time intensive process as DIY.

I get my scanned locally for 45 cents a slide. These are scanned on a Nikon high-end dedicated slide scanner and the files look great. They also have a "clean room" where they do the scanning. They do great job of cleaning any dust before the scanning.

I researched the ES-2 and needed a D850 for it to work properly. Between that cost and my time, not worth doing it my self.

Also this for me is a one time deal. My Dad passed, and I have 9500 slides from my childhood. I have been slowing going though the carousels and picking the slides I want. Looking like about 4500 will end up scanned. ~$2100. That is the cost of a used D850, then I need an ES-2 and the 60mm macro lens.

I have converted all my gear to Z-mount. F-Mount body is not something I would keep. Yes I can resell the gear, but that is more time.

JJ

I did 11,000 slides and negatives; took me two weeks. It is very fast using a camera because there is no scan time. I tethered my camera so i could better see what I was getting. I used a foot switch for the shutter, so my hands were strictly dealing with the film. Negatives were quicker due to less handling time. I used a light table to inspect the film, blower and static free brushes for dust removal.

 

[LastLapPass]

I did 11,000 slides and negatives; took me two weeks. It is very fast using a camera because there is no scan time. I tethered my camera so i could better see what I was getting. I used a foot switch for the shutter, so my hands were strictly dealing with the film. Negatives were quicker due to less handling time. I used a light table to inspect the film, blower and static free brushes for dust removal.

How any hours a day?

I still work 60+ hours a week & have kids... ;-)

JJ

 

[RobW54]

Color Negative feature in DigiKam

Interesting enough to share here?...... Also new to me Just came by on the net.

Converting Color Negative To Positive – Using digiKam, An Open Source Tool - pixl-latr

In a recent email conversation pixl-latr user, Reinhold Graf, he mentioned he used a piece of software that I hadn’t heard of to convert his negatives. After a quick chat, Reinhold agreed to share his process here on the website. Over to you, Reinhold: For many years, I had my negatives scanned...

bit.ly

 

[Hilifer]

Color Negative feature in DigiKam

Interesting enough to share here?...... Also new to me Just came by on the net.

https://bit.ly/3ULFxRU

Looks interesting… here’s the digiKam source (Linux, Mac and Windows):

https://www.digikam.org/

It’s a catalog and editor, too!

--
Moretti
"Things are more like they are now than they've ever been before."

 

[RobW54]

Looks interesting… here’s the digiKam source (Linux, Mac and Windows):

https://www.digikam.org/

It’s a catalog and editor, too!

 

[john isaacs]

I did 11,000 slides and negatives; took me two weeks. It is very fast using a camera because there is no scan time. I tethered my camera so i could better see what I was getting. I used a foot switch for the shutter, so my hands were strictly dealing with the film. Negatives were quicker due to less handling time. I used a light table to inspect the film, blower and static free brushes for dust removal.

How any hours a day?

I still work 60+ hours a week & have kids... ;-)

JJ

I was retired when I did it.

If you don't have the time, then send them out and pay the money.

I'm too cheap, but in addition a lot of the negatives were from when I was shooting models for a talent agency. Most of those weren't even worth keeping, but I scanned them all so I could pick out what I wanted to keep.

If you want to DIY, I posted about the process I used.

Read this for general info:

https://www.negativelabpro.com/guide/scanning/#digital-camera-scanning

 

[bjn70]

How any hours a day?

I built a little tray to hold a slide, mounted it and the camera to a strip of wood. With a stack of slides setting there I would put a slide in the tray with my left hand and push the shutter button with my right hand. Take that slide out and put it on a new stack, put in another slide and push the button. Probably around 5 seconds per slide. I used electronic flash so I didn't even have to worry about carefully pushing the shutter button.

It's the processing that takes the time but if your goal is to get the slides into digital so you can just look at them then processing isn't so important. If that is the goal then you could always stack about 20 of them on a flatbed scanner and make a scan.

 

[LastLapPass]

Thank you for the info!

If I wait until I retire, there will be a lot less family members around to enjoy them.

;-)

Jason

--
Just a Dad documenting life...

 

[ZEricM]

I have used ScanCafe with good results. I inherited a large collection (mostly 35mm slides) from my father.