A question about DSLR scan with a macro lens

[Laci Toth]

Hi all,

I’m scanning with a Nikon D3200 and a Nikkor 55mm f3.5 macro lens. It’s all fine and I’m happy with the results. I’m into medium format and with this combo I can get close enough to fill the frame. I’m about though to start shooting with 35mm format as well and I can’t get close enough to the negative. It’s either too far and I’d need to crop a lot or it’s blurry.
I’m wondering if an M2 or PK-3 or PK-13 ring would solve the problem or should I get another lens?

 

[runswithsizzers]

I am not familiar with Nikon model numbers. Does your Nikon D3200 have a full frame sensor, or is it APS-C?

If it is APS-C, and if you want to copy a 35mm negative in one shot that fills the APS-C sensor - then you need magnification of about 0.65x-0.67x which is about 1:1.5 (or 0.67:1).

I believe your Nikkor 55mm f3.5 macro lens focuses to 0.5x or 1:2, so you need enough additional extension to increase the magnification by a little bit. I am guessing Nikon's thinnest extension ring will be enough, but that is a guess.

You will need to find out how thick each of the Nikon extension rings are. Then go to <this calculator> and enter the thickness of each extension rings into the field labeled "Extension tube length added, in mm (ie 34) [ ]".

For example, if I enter your focal length and 10mm for the extension ring, the new magnification calculates as 0.68:1, which should be about right. In other words you want something around 10mm or 11mm. If thinner than 10mm, the negative might still be too small to fill the APS-C sensor. If the extension ring is a whole lot thicker than 10mm, then the lens may not focus at the correct magnification for what you want to do. The chart does not calculate the maximum focusing distance, so I don't know how thick the extension ring can be and still work at a given magnification.

If your Nikon is full frame, your working magnification will be about 1x or 1:1, and you will need a thicker extension ring to get that target magnification.

 

[Laci Toth]

I am not familiar with Nikon model numbers. Does your Nikon D3200 have a full frame sensor, or is it APS-C?

If it is APS-C, and if you want to copy a 35mm negative in one shot that fills the APS-C sensor - then you need magnification of about 0.65x-0.67x which is about 1:1.5 (or 0.67:1).

I believe your Nikkor 55mm f3.5 macro lens focuses to 0.5x or 1:2, so you need enough additional extension to increase the magnification by a little bit. I am guessing Nikon's thinnest extension ring will be enough, but that is a guess.

You will need to find out how thick each of the Nikon extension rings are. Then go to <this calculator> and enter the thickness of the extension rings into the field labeled "Extension tube length added, in mm (ie 34) [ ]".

For example, if I enter your focal length and 10mm for the extension ring, the new magnification calculates as 0.68:1, which should be about right. In other words you want something around 10mm or 11mm. If thinner than 10mm, the negative might still be too small to fill the APS-C sensor. If the extension ring is a whole lot thicker than 10mm, then the lens may not focus at the correct magnification for what you want to do. The chart does not calculate the maximum focusing distance, so I don't know how thick the extension ring can be and still work at a given magnification.

If your Nikon is full frame, your working magnification will be about 1x or 1:1, and you will need a thicker extension ring to get that target magnification.

View attachment 257452

Many thanks for your input!
Yes, D3200 is APS-C. I already checked the link you’ve sent and will find out the optimal ring I need.
Thanks again!