Anyone here use copy stands for scanning with a DSLR?

ColdEye · May 5, 2020

So I have just started scanning my film with a DSLR, I use a nikon d610 and a 60/2.8D and a gepe 4x5 slide viewer. I am scanning 35mm up to 6x7.. As of right now I am using my tripod to adjust the camera height, but it has been a challenge to just get everything level. I have looked at some set ups and it seems some people use copy stands or something cannibalized from an enlarger. I gave away all my darkroom equipment a few years ago so I cannot try that. What are your preferred methods? I would like the enlarger idea but space is limited where I live now. Here is a pretty decent DSLR scan, taken with a pentax 6x7 with 90mm. I still have to improve focusing, and I dont think the camera was parallel to the film.

jeffreyg · May 5, 2020

I have a copy stand but use a scanner. My suggestion for using a tripod would be to have it on an angle and parallel your light source and film to the camera plane. That way you won't have to be looking down or have to deal with avoiding the tripod legs in the frame. Take a piece of poster board and make two parallel lines the appropriate distance apart for your equipment to set it up and it will be easy to focus and be in a comfortable position avoiding neck strain.

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Chan Tran · May 5, 2020

I used to have a Beseler CB-7 with dichroic head. I remove the head mount the camera on it and put the dichroic head on the baseboard upside down as light source. I use negative holder or slide holder to hold the film and just place it on top of the head.

Adrian Bacon · May 6, 2020

I use a copy stand. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Basic controls to level the camera are nice, but not necessary as you really want to be able to do that at your light source/negatives holder down on the copy stand table. So that the film is parallel with the camera sensor.

neeksgeek · May 7, 2020

I use a copy stand, a Kaiser that someone I know was literally throwing out, along with an 8x10” Porta-Trace light box. Works great.

Before I had the Kaiser, I used the column from an old Accura enlarger. It was usable but had no gearing, so adjusting the height was a pain.

GLS · May 9, 2020

Yes I use a copy stand. The Kaiser RS2 XA to be exact.

ColdEye · May 9, 2020

Thank you everyone. I will keep an eye out on my local Craigslist. I do see some brand new ones on eBay but I don't know if they are any good. I am liking this dslr scanning process.

Grim Tuesday · May 9, 2020

Keep an eye out for certain enlargers as well. I have a Durst 606 and you can remove the condenser head and replace it with a DSLR and I use it as a copy stand for scanning film. Pretty nifty! It's not the most common enlarger in the US but I've see a few come up now and again so it's also not incredibly rare.

Anyone here use copy stands for scanning with a DSLR?

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