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Post by zou on May 21, 2023 13:28:54 GMT
I've decided that I'm going to 'upgrade' from my Epson flatbed scanner to a digitisation process using my mirrorless camera. Initial tests have proven that the quality is much better for 35mm 'scans' but I haven't tried anything larger as I don't have a suitable light source yet. I've been looking through the various options for film holders/masks and I *think* I'm going to get a Pixl-latr AND Valoi 360 35mm holder. The former could technically do everything I need on its own but the Valoi seems a far neater solution for roll films.
Anyone here using either system, or an alternative? Also keen to hear recommendations for a light source.
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Post by andy on May 21, 2023 16:23:31 GMT
LED light board?
What lenses do folk use for this? A 100mm macro wouldn't be my first choice.
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Post by zou on May 21, 2023 18:14:21 GMT
With my 50/4 macro lens and an extension lens I'm basically at 1:1.
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Post by peterob on May 21, 2023 18:19:59 GMT
I have an old lightbox (Jessops) which I used when digitising 110 negs but it was a heck of a struggle. The Epson flatbed works well for 35 mm but the saving is in the conversion to positive because the Epson software works well. The 110 conversion was a real pain, mainly because it was no possible to get a good colour reference for the mask.
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Post by andy on May 21, 2023 18:43:52 GMT
With my 50/4 macro lens and an extension lens I'm basically at 1:1. Sounds like a good choice. I guess the ultimate setup could well involve a 50mm and some belows. When I looked at the sites for the film holders they seemed to be using 100mm f/2.8 macros close to 1:1, which I guess is fair enough as loads of potential customers will already have something like that, but I'm curious as to what the best available setup would be. |
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Post by zou on May 21, 2023 18:58:25 GMT
Re-reading my message, that should of course be extension tube, not extension lens.
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Post by andy on May 21, 2023 19:04:08 GMT
Re-reading my message, that should of course be extension tube, not extension lens. I hadn't noticed the mistake  |
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Post by peterob on May 21, 2023 19:19:04 GMT
As we are on to other equipment.
Camera/lens wise I used a 5Ds tethered and the canon 100 mm macro all set up inverted on a tripod. The lightbox has a raised strip cown one side that a negative strip could fit in so I just moved the lightbox around to centralise the target frame centrally.
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Post by zou on Jun 3, 2023 18:42:40 GMT
I've got the Pixl-latr now and I'm happy with the results for black and white, but I still need to source a better back light. Colour though is another kettle of fish entirely. The only decent software I'm aware of which might make things easier has a lifetime price of $200 or a monthly subscription that costs far far more in the not even very long run. Sigh.
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Post by velocette on Aug 31, 2023 8:58:38 GMT
I've used a quite old Epsom flatbed with Vuscan for some years as the scanner software opted out at Windows 8. Probably done 5-600 using negs/plates/prints and transparencies going back to the 1920's in various formats which makes the flatbed a must. I find Vuscan meets my needs as anything more sophisticated would just take too long and I can pick the odd file that needs amendment and clean it later. I've always lusted after a 'proper' scanner but the variation in formats has always ruled it out. Some of the quality from my fathers negs and slides, mainly 6X6 is amazing.
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Post by peterob on Aug 31, 2023 9:24:49 GMT
Just a thought. Has any of this AI image processing enhancements in Lightroom/Photoshop and possibly Epon Scan software improved dust removal ? I keep reading about how wonderful the improvements have been for smart removal of unwanted objects but I can't try it myself until I change my computer. If dust removal was down to one click that would be great. Even with digital ICE I spend so much time spotting out scans that my enthusiasm for doing more wanes pretty quickly, especially as I am taking scans into LR for indexing and its spot removal isn't great in my version (11.5, ACR 14.5).
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Post by Kath on Aug 31, 2023 9:39:37 GMT
I'm still using a very heath robinson set up of an old biscuit tin, ancient film holder nabbed from some 'junk' darkroom equipment being discarded by a local school, 100mm macro lens and an LED light board. Haven't tried anything but 35mm black and white.
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Post by velocette on Oct 8, 2023 12:32:58 GMT
I find the latest AI improved spotting in Lightroom makes things easier than previously and assume that It's alternatives have made a similar improvement.
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Post by peterob on Oct 8, 2023 13:05:41 GMT
I find the latest AI improved spotting in Lightroom makes things easier than previously and assume that It's alternatives have made a similar improvement. Thank you for confirming this. Must hurry my change of computer to take advantage of it. |
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Post by zou on Nov 16, 2023 11:02:37 GMT
I'm so excited! Saw some software on Kyle McDougall's YouTube channel called 'SmartConvert'. They have a free demo version. It's *just* what I was looking for - one time purchase, standalone software, opens my raw files directly, and the results are 1000000000000000000000000x better than what Vuescan or darktable output, with just a few clicks. It is also an affordable 99 Euros, so I think I have just found my Christmas prezzie to myself.  |
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