VALOI easy 35 - Any other backers?

[skylight1b]

I'll admit, backing this was an impulse decision because I had been looking for a scanning setup very much like this. How are you all feeling about it?

VALOI easy35 on Indiegogo

 

[logan2z]

Seems very similar to the Nikon ES-2...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1357884-REG/nikon_27192_es_2_film_digitalizing_adapet.html/overview

The problem with both of these devices is that I'd need a digital camera to use them

 

[skylight1b]

Seems very similar to the Nikon ES-2...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1357884-REG/nikon_27192_es_2_film_digitalizing_adapet.html/overview

The problem with both of these devices is that I'd need a digital camera to use them

Agreed! The Nikon version is one I had thought about getting, but it seemed cheaply made and I wasn't sure if I could mod it to fit the lens/camera setup I have. I have a digital camera I bought about 10 years ago that I don't use much, so this will probably become its dedicated use if they reach their goal. I definitely wouldn't want to buy one just for this.

 

[JerseyDoug]

I am backing the VALOI easy35. The way it flattens the film in the gate without contacting the image area is ingenious, and the built-in color controlled light source is a major advantage over alternatives.

I already have a digital camera setup for scanning 35mm film, based on a Fujifilm APSC camera, a 50mm enlarging lens, and a Leitz BEOON copy stand. I have been using it for several years and am very happy with its operation and with the results. If the IndieGoGo campaign succeeds and I receive an easy35 I will set it up with the same Fujifilm camera and a Fuji macro lens and compare its usability and resulting scans with those of my BEOON setup and pack one of them away.

 

[albireo]

I'll admit, backing this was an impulse decision because I had been looking for a scanning setup very much like this. How are you all feeling about it?

VALOI easy35 on Indiegogo

Not sure. I'm sure that with a bit of faffing one can get decent results from these DSLR scanning gadgets.

However - I happen to follow a few people on flickr who (for some reason) always very proudly announce they use complex/expensive DSLR scanning setups and calibrated monitors etc for their posts. Their scans are uniformly dire.

I'm sure it's due to the inherent variability which is part & parcel of DSLR scanning, but it's also possibly because many people underestimate how crucial proper negative exposure and development are for a good scan. There are some true masters of hybrid photography out there, and all they use is 200$ V550s.

 

[skylight1b]

Not sure. I'm sure that with a bit of faffing one can get decent results from these DSLR scanning gadgets.

However - I happen to follow a few people on flickr who (for some reason) always very proudly announce they use complex/expensive DSLR scanning setup and calibrated monitors etc for their posts. Their scans are uniformly dire.

I'm sure it's due to the inherent variability which is part & parcel of DSLR scanning, but it's also possibly because many people underestimate how crucial proper negative exposure and development are for a good scan. There are some true masters of hybrid photography out there, and all they use is 200$ V550s.

Good points. My hope with this is that it will be a quick and consistent alternative for archiving the huge backlog of negatives I have. The idea of doing it all with a flatbed scanner has been daunting and the cost to have it done professionally would be well beyond my budget.

 

[reddesert]

I think it looks useful and hopefully they succeed. The Valoi includes its own light source, unlike the ES-2. Of alternatives, the Nikon ES-2 has always struck me as rather expensive for what it is. There are a zillion slide copiers out there left over from the film era, but at 1:1 they aren't ideal for scanning 35mm, unless you own a full frame digital camera, plus they are rather slow optics (some usability issues like needing a bright light to focus, etc). Setting up a copy stand accurately for DSLR scanning is harder than it seems and takes space.

DSLRs depreciate rapidly due to upgrade fever and the bottom has mostly fallen out of that market, so if one had this device and a macro lens, an APS format DSLR body would be a relatively inexpensive part of the setup.

 

[skylight1b]

Full funded!

They mentioned adding a couple design changes, so I'm curious to see what those look like.