Canon 5Dii for DSLR scanning?

TheTinMansHeart · Apr 9, 2023

I've been scanning with my daily driver but set up and aligning is a drag every time. I was thinking of picking up a 20mp Digi body and leaving it set up. Was just on eBay and I can get Canon 5Diis all day for <$200.
I'm using my extra enlarger lens with a helicoid adapter, so that end is covered.

Anybody have a reason not to? Or a better recommendation for 20mp+ Digi body?

Thanks folks!

Cholentpot · Apr 9, 2023

Why not? I'm using a 550D and it works just fine. I'd assume a 5DII would be even better

madNbad · Apr 9, 2023

Nothing better than having everything set up and aligned. The worst part of camera scanning is trying to get everything level, so if you have an opportunity to get a decent DLSR for a bargain price just to leave set up, go for it. I have a Sony A7II that I’ve only used a handful of times as an actual camera, the rest of the past several years it’s been mounted to the copy stand.

TheTinMansHeart · Apr 9, 2023

Cholentpot said:
Why not? I'm using a 550D and it works just fine. I'd assume a 5DII would be even better

Excellent

TheTinMansHeart · Apr 9, 2023

madNbad said:
Nothing better than having everything set up and aligned. The worst part of camera scanning is trying to get everything level, so if you have an opportunity to get a decent DLSR for a bargain price just to leave set up, go for it. I have a Sony A7II that I’ve only used a handful of times as an actual camera, the rest of the past several years it’s been mounted to the copy stand.

Nice. Did some deep googling and have a oil less Nikon d600 lined up for <$300. 24mp and I can use my old Nikkor primes with it if I want to take it off the stand

Thanks gents, for confirming my thinking process

madNbad · Apr 9, 2023

TheTinMansHeart said:
Nice. Did some deep googling and have a oil less Nikon d600 lined up for <$300. 24mp and I can use my old Nikkor primes with it if I want to take it off the stand

Thanks gents, for confirming my thinking process

D600! Hey, that’s the Df’s daddy! I don’t know why they were all so oily but what a great sensor.

Cholentpot · Apr 9, 2023

TheTinMansHeart said:
Excellent

When in doubt, stitch. I use it with an EF 100 2.8 macro that lives on the copy stand. Everything from 16mm to 4x5 gets scanned. If I need a little closer I'll use a micro Nikkor 55 3.5 with tubes.

TheTinMansHeart · Apr 9, 2023

madNbad said:
D600! Hey, that’s the Df’s daddy! I don’t know why they were all so oily but what a great sensor.

Seller says no oil issues. We'll see. It's a meet in person, not eBay...

I'm guessing they used an oil that was a bit thin from the factory, and the shutter flapping around sent micro dots onto the sensor. I'm sure somebody's head rolled. Nikon eventually replaced whole shutter mechanisms even out of warranty. That's what the intertubes says anyway.

Looking forward to shooting and scanning film and Digi

Cholentpot said:
When in doubt, stitch. I use it with an EF 100 2.8 macro that lives on the copy stand. Everything from 16mm to 4x5 gets scanned. If I need a little closer I'll use a micro Nikkor 55 3.5 with tubes.

Never done that. S'pose I'll have to learn some day.

Disconnekt · Apr 17, 2023

As I see it, almost any dslr/mirrorless in the last 10 years will do fine, just put on a dedicated macro lens, even 3rd party lenses are pretty good if you dont want to splerg on name-brand, and like Bon Jovi: your halfway there

A good light table & way to keep everything level would be the more "pain in the a$$" part

warpath · May 5, 2023

Second the macro lens. Older ones can be had for cheap. Just adapt to your camera and you're all set.

TheTinMansHeart · May 5, 2023

warpath said:
Second the macro lens. Older ones can be had for cheap. Just adapt to your camera and you're all set.

Thanks! I ended up finding a super deal on a Skier set up on ebag. Also ended up getting a great deal on a mint d600. I'll buy the helicoid adapter to mount my 105mm enlarger lens and Bada bing Bada boom

warpath · May 5, 2023

Cool, I just learned about those skier kits, looks like a nice set up and not too expensive.

TheTinMansHeart · May 6, 2023

Indeed.
I set a search in eBay and a whole kit with light box, neg carriers, and stand came up for <$200 shipped.
Nobody else even bid.
Set the search for a few spellings in case the seller doesn't list it perfectly. Good luck!

madNbad · May 6, 2023

TheTinMansHeart said:
Indeed.
I set a search in eBay and a whole kit with light box, neg carriers, and stand came up for <$200 shipped.
Nobody else even bid.
Set the search for a few spellings in case the seller doesn't list it perfectly. Good luck!

The Skier Copybox is a nicely made compact unit. The two negative holders keep the film flat, the 135 can be flipped to do mounted slides and the 120 is adjustable up to 6X9. I liked the one I had and it’s a good choice.

Radost · Jun 8, 2023

Is there a correct term? Is it settled? DSLR is not scanning. Maybe it is copying.
What do you think?

JerseyDoug · Jun 8, 2023

Radost said:
Is there a correct term? Is it settled? DSLR is not scanning. Maybe it is copying.
What do you think?

There is no settled term for the process of using a DSLR camera to make a digital copy of an analog negative. The issue is further complicated by the more recent use of mirrorless digital cameras for the same function. Most people seem to be calling both processes digital camera scanning, until they are attacked by self appointed censors and then all bets are off.

I think it is much like what happened with the advent of the automobile. In the horse drawn era the person holding the reins and controlling the horses was called the driver. This usage continues to this day in harness racing. When they traded in their horse and buggy (which some people insist on spelling buggie) for an automobile it seemed reasonable to continue using the term driver for the person holding the steering wheel and controlling the vehicle.

Bronson Dugnutt · Jun 8, 2023

Generically I've taken to simply 'digitization'. Scanning traditionally involves a line sensor but camera CMOS sensors use a similar read-out technique.

Radost · Jun 8, 2023

JerseyDoug said:
There is no settled term for the process of using a DSLR camera to make a digital copy of an analog negative. The issue is further complicated by the more recent use of mirrorless digital cameras for the same function. Most people seem to be calling both processes digital camera scanning, until they are attacked by self appointed censors and then all bets are off.

I think it is much like what happened with the advent of the automobile. In the horse drawn era the person holding the reins and controlling the horses was called the driver. This usage continues to this day in harness racing. When they traded in their horse and buggy (which some people insist on spelling buggie) for an automobile it seemed reasonable to continue using the term driver for the person holding the steering wheel and controlling the vehicle.

It’s nice to have set terms.

MattKing · Jun 8, 2023

Bronson Dugnutt said:
Generically I've taken to simply 'digitization'.

I'm similar, although I use "digiting" followed by an appropriate modifier.
"digitizing, using .....
- a digital camera,
- a cel phone camera
- a flatbed scanner, or
- a dedicated film scanner, or
- a drum scanner,
etc.

Canon 5Dii for DSLR scanning?

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