Scanning negatives/slides

[Old Nikon Guy]

I’m doing mostly digital photography now but would like to dip my toes back into the film world. My question is related to digitizing the film images(35mm only). I see two options:

- a dedicated scanner, such as a Plustek product.

- one of the add-on devices, like the Nikon slide duplicator or the system sold by Freestyle Photo that includes a copy stand, regulated light source, and slide/negative holder. I have a Nikon Z7ii, so in-camera resolution wouldn’t be a problem. The only downside to using the Nikon device would be the need to buy a second macro lens in 50mm- I already own a 105mm.

I look forward to the ensuing discussion and advice. Thanks in advance for responding!

 

[Rumle]

I’m doing mostly digital photography now but would like to dip my toes back into the film world. My question is related to digitizing the film images(35mm only). I see two options:

- a dedicated scanner, such as a Plustek product.

This is quite expensive and slow.

- one of the add-on devices, like the Nikon slide duplicator or the system sold by Freestyle Photo that includes a copy stand, regulated light source, and slide/negative holder. I have a Nikon Z7ii, so in-camera resolution wouldn’t be a problem. The only downside to using the Nikon device would be the need to buy a second macro lens in 50mm- I already own a 105mm.

The 105mm is one of the best options you have, so why bother with the 50mm?

All you need is a holder of some sort, a light panel and a DIY rig.. it's pretty damn cheap as you got all the expensive parts all ready

I just use a large plank of wood with a table leg mounted in reverse.. to that I have mounted a super clamp with a quick release plate screwed on.

I look forward to the ensuing discussion and advice. Thanks in advance for responding!

 

[drynn]

I’m doing mostly digital photography now but would like to dip my toes back into the film world. My question is related to digitizing the film images(35mm only). I see two options:

- a dedicated scanner, such as a Plustek product.

- one of the add-on devices, like the Nikon slide duplicator or the system sold by Freestyle Photo that includes a copy stand, regulated light source, and slide/negative holder. I have a Nikon Z7ii, so in-camera resolution wouldn’t be a problem. The only downside to using the Nikon device would be the need to buy a second macro lens in 50mm- I already own a 105mm.

I look forward to the ensuing discussion and advice. Thanks in advance for responding!

I am not sure I see the point of using film and then digitising the output? Why not stick to digitising the input...

Regardless, when digitising my old collection of slides, negs (35mm and 2 1/4 square), and prints where I no longer had the negs, I started off using a camera with a homemade copier stand. I soon decided a scanner was a better option (for me) and bought an Epson V600 - it comes with several sizes of carriers. The software also allows you to scan several prints at once and outputs each print as a separate file.

I have, admittedly over the course of several years, digitised my entire collection of film. During the process, I didn't keep copies of everything I scanned as I realised I didn't need 27 pictures of granny on the beach in Thailand; one or two keeps the memory alive.

And... I disposed of all of the negs and slides when I had finished! (yes, I have a continuing back-up plan for my data.)

And, as mentioned in another thread, I make books with Lightroom to replace the old albums.

 

[LumixCat]

For scanning prints, I use a cheap combination flatbed scanner/printer, since it's already hooked up to my computer. But it's a slow process.

For scanning negatives, I use an Epson flatbed scanner that has a negative scanning function. The top cover is clear and has a light inside. It comes with a plastic sheet that holds two 35mm film strips, and can also hold slides.

It lets me quickly scan a draft of what each picture looks like. On that page, I can rotate each picture, and pre-set how I want the colors, brightness, etc. to appear in the final image for each picture. Then I click on the "scan" button and the scanner does a complete rescan of each film frame.

Depending on the resolution you choose, it can take anywhere from a minute to about 15-20 minutes or more to scan both film strips. Then the software automatically saves each picture in your designated folder with a consecutive number in the filename.

While it's scanning, I ignore it and watch TV or do something else.

I use an Epson Perfection 4490 that I bought in 2006. A family member uses the Epson Perfection V500 Photo that was purchased about two years ago. They use the same software and are easy to use.

 

[Marceppy]

I have miles of BW negatives and slide film. I’m selecting the best to keep and scan. I purchased a Nikon ED Coolscan 5000 film scanner years ago that scans both BW, color negatives, and positive 35mm film. You can find them on EBay, I have it hooked up to a Windows 7 computer but there is software available to upgrade. The denoising/sharping software technology today makes wonderful improvements. Beware, it does take time to process images.

On another note, I had stored the scanned images on external hard drives which failed. Many were on CDs DVDs which have lasted unscathed through the years, as well as the film.

 

[NMGoldstein]

I’m doing mostly digital photography now but would like to dip my toes back into the film world. My question is related to digitizing the film images(35mm only). I see two options:

- a dedicated scanner, such as a Plustek product.

- one of the add-on devices, like the Nikon slide duplicator or the system sold by Freestyle Photo that includes a copy stand, regulated light source, and slide/negative holder. I have a Nikon Z7ii, so in-camera resolution wouldn’t be a problem. The only downside to using the Nikon device would be the need to buy a second macro lens in 50mm- I already own a 105mm.

I look forward to the ensuing discussion and advice. Thanks in advance for responding!

I have an old Konica Minolta Dimage Scan 5400 Elite II scanner that I would be happy to send you for the cost of shipping. IMHO, it was the top of the line in compact slide scanners. To learn more about it, check out this link:

Test report film scanner Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 II: Automatic scans in batch-mode for mounted slides and negative film strips

www.filmscanner.info

The biggest complaint about this unit is that it was slow, but that was because it was making an extremely dense scan. However, for non-bulk use, I did not find that to be a problem. I found the quality of scans to be outstanding, particularly with the K-M software. Unfortunately, their last software required Windows 7, and they stopped making and supporting their slide scanners in 2006. There are programs available now, such as VueScan, but I understand that they are not free.

I cannot guarantee that the scanner works, but it was in fine working condition when I went digital and retired it. I have an ad for the scanner posted under Free Stuff on Craigslist San Francisco Bay Area, at the following address:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/zip/d/berkeley-minolta-dimage-scan-5400-elite/7840631035.html

If you are interested, check out the Craiglist ad and reply to me there.