Raspberry Pi film scanning / telecine

[radiant]

I've always been interested doing a automatic film scanner with Raspberry Pi + the camera module. I've built some tests but failed with the mechanics.

I found few articles on this which give some light that it could a doable project. This one is done for 8mm but could be done on 35mm film also:

https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/how-to-make-a-raspberry-pi-film-scanner/

The interesting part is the "new" HQ camera which has following specs:

Sensor: Sony IMX477R stacked, back-illuminated sensor
12.3 megapixels
7.9 mm sensor diagonal
1.55 μm × 1.55 μm pixel size
Output: RAW12/10/8, COMP8
Back focus: Adjustable (12.5 mm–22.4 mm)
Lens standards: C-mount
CS-mount (C-CS adapter included)
IR cut filter: Integrated2
Ribbon cable length: 200 mm
Tripod mount: 1/4”-20

Available for example here: https://raspberrypi.dk/en/product/raspberry-pi-hq-camera/

12.3 mpix is not that much, but probably would do fine for "contact" scanning - a rough scan to see how the film looks like.

Also there are some other possibilities such as bracketed exposure to maybe increase details? I don't know.

One of the lenses they sell to the camera is here: https://raspberrypi.dk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200408-PT3611614M10MP.pdf

Has anyone seen film scanned with this combo? I couldn't find any examples.

 

[MattKing]

For clarity, because "film" is a word with multiple meanings in this context, the linked item is designed to scan small format motion picture film.
It would probably be suitable for 16mm still film. It might also be suitable for 110 still film.

 

[radiant]

Same principle in all cases. Of course 36 frames of 135 film is pretty fast to scan, but automatic film feed wouldn't hurt.

 

[MattKing]

The concern, of course, is that you would need to change the optics/focal length in order to image the much larger 35mm frame.

 

[radiant]

The concern, of course, is that you would need to change the optics/focal length in order to image the much larger 35mm frame.

For sure. I've actually done some macro shots with the cheaper Raspberry Pi camera lens and it works fine.

For these lenses that go with the high resolution camera I don't know if it is possible to make such shot for 35mm frame.