Digitizing 35mm negatives using a macro lens

Bon Hambley · Jun 8, 2014

I have approximately 20 years worth of negatives I wish to digitalize. I have been using a Canoscan 9000f photo scanner. Although it is a really good scanner for amateur use, it is slow and the quality of the scans are good but often compare very poorly with the original prints. I wish therefore to try photographing my negatives using my DSLM micro 4/3 camera with a macro lens.

Has anybody on APUG tried this? Any advice regarding (legacy) lenses and software to flip the negative image would be very appreciated.

paul_c5x4 · Jun 8, 2014

To be honest, scanning is generally way off topic on APUG - It is a question best asked over on DPUG.

But....if you want low cost software to process the digital file, you can't get much cheaper than GIMP - I think there is a build available to run under Windows, probably one for MAC, and definitely packaged ready to run on most Linux installs.

P.S. Welcome to the forum. They are a great bunch of guys and gals here with an amazing depth of knowledge.

pdeeh · Jun 8, 2014

Bon I've sent you a PM.

fotch · Jun 8, 2014

Welcome to APUG.

Bon Hambley · Jun 8, 2014

Many thanks for your very kind welcome messages. I have been reading APUG forums for over a year now without signing up and I am vey pleased that I have finally done so.

bdial · Jun 8, 2014

Welcome to APUG.

There have been various discussions of this in DPUG and there is a lot of good information there detailing various pros and cons. In a nutshell, yes, it is an option.
As others have stated, in this context, it's OT for APUG, however.

Here is a pointer to the forum where this is getting discussed;
http://www.dpug.org/forums/f6/

Hatchetman · Jun 8, 2014

That is an excellent scanner and I doubt you will be able to do better with a digital camera.

FM2N · Jun 9, 2014

Can anyone tell me how people get images on to the Apug gallery for viewing?

AgX · Jun 9, 2014

FM2N said:
Can anyone tell me how people get images on to the Apug gallery for viewing?

This has been discussed here at length: specific problems of that kind can be discussed at the Feedback forum. General discussion of this matter though is off topic here.

FM2N · Jun 10, 2014

I would reply but that would take a digital machine of some sort. On second thought where on APUG is there a thread or tutorial that explains how to upload, using a scanner, to post pictures? Thanks

FM2N · Jun 10, 2014

Can you tell me where on APUG there is a thread or tutorial that explains how to upload, using a scanner, to post pictures? Thanks
Sorry, just did a search on mine own and there are over 2700 threads on apug having to do with digitally scanning negatives. So how is this discussion off topic?

FM2N · Jun 10, 2014

Can you tell me where on APUG there is a thread or tutorial that explains how to upload, using a scanner, to post pictures? Thanks
Sorry, just did a search on mine own and there are over 2700 threads on apug having to do with digitally scanning negatives. So how is this discussion off topic?

bdial · Jun 10, 2014

FM2N said:
Can you tell me where on APUG there is a thread or tutorial that explains how to upload, using a scanner, to post pictures? Thanks
Sorry, just did a search on mine own and there are over 2700 threads on apug having to do with digitally scanning negatives. So how is this discussion off topic?

Scanning for presentation in the gallery is not off topic, never has been. Scanning in other contexts is.
There have been scattered threads on the subject of scanning for the gallery, but I don't recall a concise tutorial.
If you've looked, and can't find the info you need, start a thread and ask the questions. Or, feel free to pm me and I can probably get you started.

Bon Hambley · Jun 10, 2014

bdial said:
Scanning for presentation in the gallery is not off topic, never has been. Scanning in other contexts is.
There have been scattered threads on the subject of scanning for the gallery, but I don't recall a concise tutorial.
If you've looked, and can't find the info you need, start a thread and ask the questions. Or, feel free to pm me and I can probably get you started.

The act of passing a ccd sensor under a negative or photographing it with a sensor within a DSLR is digital (and is off topic for Apug)

If the digital representation of the analogue photograph is then posted to Apug, digital scanning becomes on topic as it serves to advance the learning and understanding of analogue photography (but is still a digital technique)

If a concise tutorial on (digital) scanning for the gallery is posted on Apug, the advice could be used equally for scanning analogue photos not intended for the gallery but is on topic because it may be used for scanning analogue photographs intended for the gallery.

I understand now (I think). Correct me if I am wrong please

MattKing · Jun 10, 2014

You are making things too complex.
We don't choose to talk about scanning here, with one limited exception.
If you need help getting something into the APUG galleries, we will try to help.

Tom1956 · Jun 10, 2014

I scan all my negatives. I use a Beseler 67 Dichro. Makes perfect scans.

fotch · Jun 10, 2014

Tom1956 said:
I scan all my negatives. I use a Beseler 67 Dichro. Makes perfect scans.

Chan Tran · Jun 11, 2014

I thought it's APUG rule not allow discussing scanning.

BetterSense · Jun 11, 2014

Can we discuss slide copying instead?

I would like to copy mounted and unmounted slides at 1:1 or slightly less than 1:1. I have Nikon lenses with 55mm threads, and extension tubes. What I need is a device for holding the slide/negative in front of the lens. I could make something but what's already available?

Tom1956 · Jun 11, 2014

Honeywell Pentax made an excellent slide copier.

Hatchetman · Jun 11, 2014

Tom1956 said:
Honeywell Pentax made an excellent slide copier.

I've seen these. How are you supposed to illuminate the slide.

Tom1956 · Jun 11, 2014

It's been 40 years since I slept with the Honeywell Pentax brochures under my pillow, so I don't recall. I remember they had 2 types--one was a bellows-and-copier holder contraption, and the other was a rather high grade desk top machine called a Repronar, I think. Certainly you can google up some info. Put it this way--you'll never go wrong with any Honeywell gadget. They just didn't sell second-rate merchandise. It was all top of the line stuff.
This was 1971-73 time frame. Damn, that's 43 years now.

bdial · Jun 12, 2014

Nikon also made a slide/film copy attachment. It was meant for use with the bellows, but it could probably be used on its own mounted to the front of the lens.
Regarding illumination, don't know about the Pentax unit, but for the Nikon there is a frosted glass over the film gate and you can light it with outdoor light through a window, or an electronic flash, or, whatever. Flash or sunlight would be best if you're using color film. I expect the Pentax attachment would be similar.

Chan Tran · Jun 12, 2014

I used to use an upside down dichroic enlarger with the negative or slide in the carrier placing on top. I mount a tripod head on the enlarger chassis and use it like a copy stand. Mount the camera on bellow with an enlarging lens in front and mount that on the tripod head. It works ok.
a

benjiboy · Aug 27, 2016

Hatchetman said:
I've seen these. How are you supposed to illuminate the slide.

Flash, the colour temperature of daylight is too inconsistent. There used to be at one time low contrast slide duplicating films.

Digitizing 35mm negatives using a macro lens

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