Mixing hardware for camera scanning

After 20+ years of using a dedicated 35mm film scanner and an Epson flatbed scanner for larger film, I going to try my hand at digital scanning. I've got some bits-n-pieces on order, but not sure what to do with the camera/lens combo. I have a really nice Nikon 60mm f/2.8 AF Micro Nikkor, but only have Nikon film bodies. I do have a Canon 5D Mark II which I could use with the Nikon lens via an adapter. Anyone know of any issues going this route? Or, should I just bite the bullet and buy a Canon Macro lens?

Thanks for your help.

After having used many different combinations of cameras with a 55 Micro-Nikkor 2.8 Ai-S, I just moved to a autofocus Sony FE90G 2.8 Macro for my A7II. In short, having a native autofocus lens for camera scanning film does make it easier. The Nikon 60mm Macro is a good choice for scanning with the option of adding a ES-2 film holder. You could get a DX Nikon body like a 7200 for about the same price as a macro lens for your Canon with the option of leaving set up as a dedicated scanning camera. Add a copy stand and a good light source, emphasis on good. If you don't want to pay the price for an ES-2, a Lomo Digitalzila is a cheaper option, just ensure to block the extraneous light from your light source. There are many excellent resources on the web to help with the learning process. Hope this helps and have fun.

Sounds like you have a good start. I'd try to use the Micro Nikkor if it can be made to work. Why spend the money if what you have will do the job? You can always re-evaluate later, if necessary.

You still need a light source, some way to hold the camera, some way to hold the film, and the adapter.

Next, you'll need to work out your magnification and focusing distance, which may be a factor in deciding how you are going to hold the camera.

I am unfamiliar with Nikon gear, will that Micro Nikkor focus to 1:1?

Start with the understanding that either you are

1. shooting 24mm x 36mm slide/neg to FF size sensor, or
2. shooting 24mm x 36mm slide/neg to APS-n size sensor, or
3. shooting print to FF or APS-m size sensor

#3 is the simplest, you merely need to 'shoot close', do not not need necessarily 'macro' (1:5 reproduction, or larger)...fitting even 4x6" print to FF sensor is only about 1:4.23 reproduction (fit 152mm long image onto 36mm), or about 1:6.8 reproduction (152mm long image on 22.3mm)
#2 requires that you have macro capability for about 1:1.59 reproduction scale
#1 requires that you have macro capacility for 1:1 reproduction scale

In any event, you need good illumination. With a print, a light source to each side (left, right) at about 45 degree angle to the item being shot. With neg or slide, a diffuse source of even light trans-illuminating the neg/slide being shot. And a tripod or copy stand to mount the caemra at a fixed distance from what you are shooting.

Adrian, in the next post, states correctly that I got #1 mixed up with #2 (now corrected)

wiltw said:

#2 requires that you have macro capacility for 1:1 reproduction scale
#1 requires that you have macro capability for about 1:1.59 reproduction scale

Click to expand...

You have these backwards. #1 requires 1:1, #2 does not.

Thank you all for the responses.

I have a copy stand on order that should be arriving today and an Essential Film Holder that will be coming along some day soon. Though I don't have a Kaiser Slimlite Plano panel, I have one that I think will work for now. I decided to start with a lens adapter to use my Nikon macro lens on my Canon 5D II body, rather than spring for a Canon mount macro lens. My plan is to gain some experience with digital scanning, then replace/upgrade pieces where I see a weakness. As of now, I'm thinking that I'll be scanning only MF (6x4.5 to 6x9) with this setup. I'll leave the 35mm to my dedicated film scanner and LF on the Epson flatbed. This may all change, of course, as I gain experience with digital scanning, but that's the current plan.

Alan9940 said:

Thank you all for the responses.

I have a copy stand on order that should be arriving today and an Essential Film Holder that will be coming along some day soon. Though I don't have a Kaiser Slimlite Plano panel, I have one that I think will work for now. I decided to start with a lens adapter to use my Nikon macro lens on my Canon 5D II body, rather than spring for a Canon mount macro lens. My plan is to gain some experience with digital scanning, then replace/upgrade pieces where I see a weakness. As of now, I'm thinking that I'll be scanning only MF (6x4.5 to 6x9) with this setup. I'll leave the 35mm to my dedicated film scanner and LF on the Epson flatbed. This may all change, of course, as I gain experience with digital scanning, but that's the current plan.

Click to expand...

Once you get up and going and start getting some scanned film under your belt, you'll be in a good spot to evaluate what's working for you and what isn't. For me personally, if you've got at least 20MP for the camera sensor, you've got enough resolution for most uses, then it's all about reducing usage friction and increasing consistency and repeatability.

Adrian Bacon said:

You have these backwards. #1 requires 1:1, #2 does not.

Click to expand...

Yup I got them backward in the writing of item number

A 24mm x 36 mm slide copied onto 24mm x 36mm sensor takes a 1:1 reproduction scale copy on sensor

A 24mm x 36mm slide copied onto 15mm x 22.5mm sensor is 0.625x magnification copy, or 1:1.6 scale on sensor