How is VALOI 360 ???

[Hassasin]

Not sure if there is a film scanning dedicated forum, so putting it here.

Any users of VALOI 360 ?

Camera used, whole rig set up etc.

How is final result?

I don't invest much in digital cameras, have 18 mp Canon 4Ti.

 

[koraks]

Not sure if there is a film scanning dedicated forum, so putting it here.

Thread moved here, to the Scanning forum!

 

[Hassasin]

Thread moved here, to the Scanning forum!

I thought there was one but somehow could not see it, thanks.

 

[grantb]

Hey there, hope you have found a scanning solution in the months since you posted this, but I'll add my thoughts after using the 360 for several weeks.

Using 18mp Canon also (EOS M), with the EF-M 28mm macro (wrong lens for the job) and CS-Lite light source (very nice) and Skier foldable copy stand (meh, works but not impressed, a bit wobbly, horrible crappy housepaint on the base, do not clean negs on it).

The 360 with CS-Lite and the additional Valoi part you need to hold the light is overall very good, a high quality product that works and seems like it'll last. You can get a cheaper solution but I think the price is fair for what it is.

Negatives/caveats:
- This is minor but the advancer squeaks, kind of annoying
- It can be a bit fiddly to get the film inserted at first, moreso with 120 than 35mm, and even more if you are using the brush accessory. With 120 it helps to wear lint-free gloves.
- While the advancer works well and definitely speeds things up even on cut rolls, once you do a batch of strips you'll quickly want to find a way to scan before you cut.
- The system has "tight" framing, so you're not seeing much rebate around the image frame on the film. This is a good thing for flatness. This is a bad thing if you want social media followers to instantly know you're a boss Portra 400 shooter (that was sarcasm). This also is a bad thing if your macro lens is too wide like my 28mm, as the edges of your film frame will overlap the mask. I wish I had realized this in advance since I would have adapted a 100mm instead.
- Pay close attention to what's included or not in whatever version of the kit you choose. IMO they should include the alignment mirror in bundles but they do not. Fortunately I found some other small mirrors laying around.

So while I'm obviously in the process of working out my process, the 360 is a piece I'll be sticking with and adapting to. Results are very good so far, much sharper and faster than any dedicated film scanner or flatbed I've used in the past. I wanted to have more resolution (and blow a ton of $), so I've got an A7RV arriving tomorrow and a Sigma Art 105mm macro waiting for it to solve my focal length problem. With the unavailability of my local college darkroom for summer quarter I'm back to home developing, so that solves the cut negative issue. I should be 100% good to go for B&W which is my main thing, but my color inversion process with Negadoctor needs some work.

 

[IMoL]

This is minor but the advancer squeaks, kind of annoying

I had this issue as well - it didn't bother me that much, but it drove my wife up the wall I solved it by a) applying a VERY small amount of sewing machine oil to the area where the advancer shafts go through the holes in the frame and b) adding a tiny bit of play when screwing on the handles to the shafts - I went from having them tight to the frame to having maybe 0.5mm of play (the natural tendency when we assemble, of course, is to make things nice and tight). Now there is no squeak.

 

[grantb]

I had this issue as well - it didn't bother me that much, but it drove my wife up the wall I solved it by a) applying a VERY small amount of sewing machine oil to the area where the advancer shafts go through the holes in the frame and b) adding a tiny bit of play when screwing on the handles to the shafts - I went from having them tight to the frame to having maybe 0.5mm of play (the natural tendency when we assemble, of course, is to make things nice and tight). Now there is no squeak.

Good suggestions, I've been meaning to give the lube job a go and I'll back those knobs off a bit too.

 

[IMoL]

To reply to the original question - I have the 360 (and various masks) and won't be changing my scanning setup any time soon. I have used it with various digital cameras (everything from M4/3 to a Nikon D800) and it works really well. I don't use a copy stand - I actually do my scanning on a tile floor and I have one of my tripods dedicated to the task. The tripod has a "macro arm" so I can have the camera at the right angle and height and still keep it stable. Having a small mirror for alignment is a great help - it doesn't need to be the valoi one, any small hand mirror with a flat back can be used.

re: the camera - I had great results with a 20MP M4/3 camera, so the 18MP Canon would be fine to start with at least. More important than the camera is the macro lens - if on a budget - look at old manual focus lenses that can be bought quite cheap and adapted to your camera (I suspect some of the old Canon FD lenses could be adapted to your 4TI - I am guessing, I have never been a Canon guy).