Copy stand for SL2?

[ymc226]

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My only prime lens for the SL2 is the 50 Lux; otherwise, I have all the 3 zooms.  Is it possible to "scan" 35mm, 6x6 and 6x9 negatives (all B&W) using the SL2 and the 50?  If so, can you point me in the direction of specific equipment.  Before digital, I self taught myself beginning in my 40s and developed and printed in my basement.  Now I have volumes of negatives I would like to digitalize and I understand using a camera would be quicker and maybe more detailed than using consumer grade scanners.  I had some negatives drum scanned but this is not economically prudent.

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[michali]

12 hours ago, ymc226 said:

My only prime lens for the SL2 is the 50 Lux; otherwise, I have all the 3 zooms.  Is it possible to "scan" 35mm, 6x6 and 6x9 negatives (all B&W) using the SL2 and the 50?  If so, can you point me in the direction of specific equipment.  Before digital, I self taught myself beginning in my 40s and developed and printed in my basement.  Now I have volumes of negatives I would like to digitalize and I understand using a camera would be quicker and maybe more detailed than using consumer grade scanners.  I had some negatives drum scanned but this is not economically prudent.

Have a look here: Essential Film Holder for Camera Scanning

I've been digitising my slides using a slide duplicator from my film days. We used these to duplicate slides by photographing them, the duplicator also has a manual zoom function for cropping purposes.  It has an M42-T mount which I use with an M42-SL mount adapter on the SL & now with the SL2, with a tripod.

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Edited September 27, 2020 by michali

[Donald M]

I use this stand (http://www.rotscout.de/index.php/de/) for copying 35mm slides with the SL + 100mm Apo Macro and 6x6 slides with a Hasselblad + 120mm Macro. Pictured here with the Hasselblad. The stand is very heavy and built like a tank. It weighs ca. 30kg! I use the stand with a Kaiser LED light box (film copy vario kit: http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_1_produktanzeige.asp?nr=2458) for 35mm, I also use the one for 6x6. Both camera and ground plate can be adjusted, which makes it quite easy to change the camera and the 35mm or 60x60mm kit.

Once the sharpness is dialed in, you can start copying with quite some speed! Because it is all copied in RAW you are able to correct the slides afterwards. Always beware of stray lights while copying. 

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[Photoworks]

I am using Negative Lab Pro plugin for Lightroom , helps to get better color results in Lightroom .

https://www.negativelabpro.com

In a few days Sigma has a new lens for L mount, 105mm Macro that probably does a great 1:1 reproduction .

Personally I don't use a stand. I rigged a tripod over a plexiglas and a flash under that. 
The flash give you the benefit of cutting down ambient light  and have consistent exposure at night and day.

The Lightbox can work, but it is often low quality bulbs and get you banding and uneven lighting. On top of that you will have ambient light reflecting on the top of the film, so you can only do it in the dark.

you can hold film in place with something like this

https://www.abdicamera.com/shop/fc-35120

I use this, but it is overpriced 

https://www.negative.supply/35mm

 

The best recommendation is to get some Besler AIR, it is dry and has no oils.

 

To scan the film in camera DMG has many benefits is exposure and contrast that the drumscan does not give you.

 

 

[dkCambridgeshire]

Novoflex Castel Cop Digi is an excellent system for copying negs / slides up to 6.5mm x 7cm 

https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/macro/focusing-racks/cross-focusing-racks-castel-cross/castel-cop-digi-2439.html

... a Novoflex focusing rack is an integral part of the apparatus but is an optional extra ... the older Novoflex focusing racks are often listed on ebay ... all Novoflex racks have the required female connections for the rods. Most non-Leica macro lenses including manual focus legacy macro optics easily adapt to 'L' mount but may also require extension tubes. Enlarging lenses can also be used. Your 50 Lux 'as is' would not be a suitable lens for copying. A Leitz R 60/2.8 macro with tubes or Leitz Macro Elmar R 100/4 with tubes and R to L adapter would be fine. A Canon FD 100/4 macro plus tubes would easily adapt to L mount and would be a cost effective option. I use C7 Canon FD to L mount adapters ... their FD to L mount adapter costs $50 but is often available 'used' / 'ex demo' on their website https://c7adapters.com/en/products/category/l-mount__leica_panasonic/29?page=2.  ... Cheaper L mount adapters are available via ebay and Amazon 

This s/h Novoflex bellows c/w Novoflex 100mm macro lens would be ideal ... but needs an L mount adapter ... the Castel Cop digi rods would fit into the front of the Novoflex bellows ...   https://www.ffordes.com/p/PX-IV47BQ43382/macro-equipment/bellows-105mm-f4-macro.  ... lens likely made by Staeble and needs stopping down for optimum resolution. 

 

dunk

Edited September 27, 2020 by dkCambridgeshire

[Stuart Richardson]

I am not sure about the 50mm Lux SL, but I was astonished to see that the APO Summicron 50mm SL was more than a good macro lens, but a superb one. Have a look at the close up performance MTF in the data sheet. It is exceptional. I am certain it is better than any FD lens. It was on par with my 120mm APO Marcro Summarit S. I should say that my use is primarily with 4x5 and 8x10 film, so I imagine that it is not capable of focusing close enough for 35mm without a tube, which I believe are not available for L mount. If you are looking for a killer macro for the SL system, the 120mm APO S is the lens to get...they are cheaper used than the native S lenses, though the adapter can be expensive if you do not search for awhile.

Regarding a copy stand, I have also mostly been using my tripod, though I have a camera stand that is more convenient when I am at the studio. The biggest advantage to a mirrorless camera in this setup is that you can use the electronic shutter, which eliminates all vibration. I have found that when doing copy stand work with the Leica S, even with mirror pre release there is enough vibration from the shutter to cause softening. It is subtle, but it is there at the speeds you are likely to encounter. I discovered it once by inadvertantly using P mode, and the camera picked f2.5 at a higher shutter speed, and the 2.5 photo was sharper than the 5.6, which had a speed around 1/15th or 1/8th. With the electronic shutter this is not an issue, unless you run into flickering with your light or strobe.

 

Edited September 27, 2020 by Stuart Richardson

[ymc226]

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On 9/24/2020 at 9:06 AM, BJohn said:

 

Thanks for the replies.  I will look at all the options as they are all very helpful.

[ymc226]

Not having shot macro for reproduction before, what focal length would be more appropriate to cover the 35mm, 6x6 and 6x9 negatives, 70mm or 105mm?  I am looking at the L mount 70mm macro and the soon to be announced 105mm macro as recommended by Photoworks.

[Karl Delandsheere]

On 9/27/2020 at 11:51 AM, Donald M said:

I use this stand (http://www.rotscout.de/index.php/de/) for copying 35mm slides with the SL + 100mm Apo Macro and 6x6 slides with a Hasselblad + 120mm Macro. Pictured here with the Hasselblad. The stand is very heavy and built like a tank. It weighs ca. 30kg! I use the stand with a Kaiser LED light box (film copy vario kit: http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_1_produktanzeige.asp?nr=2458) for 35mm, I also use the one for 6x6. Both camera and ground plate can be adjusted, which makes it quite easy to change the camera and the 35mm or 60x60mm kit.

Once the sharpness is dialed in, you can start copying with quite some speed! Because it is all copied in RAW you are able to correct the slides afterwards. Always beware of stray lights while copying. 

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Hi Donald, that’s a nice kit! Do you have a price range in mind for the Rotscout repro pod you are using? I don’t see any info about price on their website.

Cheers!

[Donald M]

Hi Karl, I have bought it in Germany, price inclusive copy film base (Led) ca. €1000 to 1200 depending of the chosen options. They make 3D printed film copy bases for 6x6, 6x7 and 35mm (filmstrip and (Gepe) framed film). I think it is the Rolls-Royce of film copy stands in terms of quality and stability… if interested you should connect heinrich@rotscout.de for details. 

[John Smith]

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Do you really need more than this kind of lightbox, a macro lens, and a tripod?

Edited June 9, 2022 by John Smith

[frame-it]

2 minutes ago, John Smith said:

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Do you really need more than this kind of lightbox, a macro lens, and a tripod?

+ something to keep the film flat and straight, and through which it can slide through one from side to another so you don't have to move the camera or the whole lightpad, and a few pieces of cardboard to minimize glare on the sides

 

 

[John Smith]

30 minutes ago, frame-it said:

+ something to keep the film flat and straight, and through which it can slide through one from side to another so you don't have to move the camera or the whole lightpad, and a few pieces of cardboard to minimize glare on the sides

 

 

Gotcha. Thanks.

 

[Jean-Michel]

All sorts of solutions exists, as per the posts above. I prefer a non-camera approach and recently replaced my Nikon 5000 scanner (it died) with an Epson V850. I can now scan every from tiny old negs to 8 by 10 negs or transparencies. The scanner only cost about $2000 Canadian. Results from my scans with the Epson are, for my purposes, as good or better than drums scans that I used to pay up to $50 to $100 per image in years past. 
Epson also has a less expensive model that would work ok for occasional work. 

[caissa]

There are endless possibilities.

Instead of an expensive macro lens or an SL Summicron for 5000$ I found an enlarger lens (from Rodenstock, Apo rodagon N 2.8/50) the most convenient (when used with a bellows I have from the R system).

Edited June 9, 2022 by caissa

[charlesphoto99]

1 hour ago, John Smith said:

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Do you really need more than this kind of lightbox, a macro lens, and a tripod?

I would pass on that, and for a bit more get something truly bright, even, and purpose built (I have the Kaiser above and it's now just a pricey slide viewer). 

https://cinestillfilm.com/collections/scanning-finishing/products/sunray-copybox-ii-scanning-film-workflow-set

https://cinestillfilm.com/collections/scanning-finishing/products/ns-light-source-basic-pro-led-lightbox-95-99-cri-for-camera-scanning?variant=31966667767882

[Karl Delandsheere]

On 5/5/2022 at 9:56 PM, Donald M said:

Hi Karl, I have bought it in Germany, price inclusive copy film base (Led) ca. €1000 to 1200 depending of the chosen options. They make 3D printed film copy bases for 6x6, 6x7 and 35mm (filmstrip and (Gepe) framed film). I think it is the Rolls-Royce of film copy stands in terms of quality and stability… if interested you should connect heinrich@rotscout.de for details. 

Damn, it took me so long to remember about this thread. Sorry Donald! Anyway, a few months ago, I contacted Rotscout and I think (when the time is right) I'm going to go with their solution. The only question remaining now is wether I get the full kit with their copy bases or prefer the Valoi system. Hard to choose because both looks pretty good and seems to have advantages over one another.

Any thoughts on that?

Cheers!

[davidmknoble]

There are some other great solutions if this doesn't work out with the Negative Supply company in the US.  I use their system for 35mm and 120mm using the M11 or SL system...

https://www.negative.supply

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Karl Delandsheere]

10 hours ago, davidmknoble said:

There are some other great solutions if this doesn't work out with the Negative Supply company in the US.  I use their system for 35mm and 120mm using the M11 or SL system...

https://www.negative.supply

 

Thanks! I'll check it out too.

[LocalHero1953]

On 6/9/2022 at 3:47 PM, charlesphoto99 said:

I would pass on that, and for a bit more get something truly bright, even, and purpose built (I have the Kaiser above and it's now just a pricey slide viewer). 

https://cinestillfilm.com/collections/scanning-finishing/products/sunray-copybox-ii-scanning-film-workflow-set

https://cinestillfilm.com/collections/scanning-finishing/products/ns-light-source-basic-pro-led-lightbox-95-99-cri-for-camera-scanning?variant=31966667767882

Thanks for the link. What are the respective exposures you use for the Sunray compared to the Kaiser. I have the latter, and need exposures of the order of a second at f/8 (ISO 100).

Edited March 16, 2023 by LocalHero1953