My DIY scanning rig

[tikiman]

I have some spare time yesterday, so I setup and timed myself on doing a roll of color neg 135 with 24 exp that was cut to 6 exposure per strip.

Film & slr: Fujifilm Superia 200 exp24, Leica R8, summicron-R 50mm f2. I usually put a bunch of heavy book on the film for a few days so that it will be flat when I scan.

dslr setup:
Canon 7D + 20mm macro extension tube + EF 50mm f1.8 II + VF cover + L-bracket + level bubble(the inbuilt electronic level goes messy when camera is horizontal)

dslr setting:
Manual mode, 1/30 sec, f8, custom white balance, iso100, M jpeg, remote with mirror lock up. how I got the the shutter speed is through trial & error to get the right exposure inside a dark room.

Parts made from cardboard box:
I used a box I found in my storeroom. Shoe boxes is good as long as it fits a light source, which is an iPad for me. I cut a 3cm x 6cm hole in the centre of the box. Why this dimension, well I arga arga... as long as it is wider than one exposure itself. I then use part of the box to make a film holder to a six exp strip. I scotch them together on one side so that I can fold it. I use 4 binder clips to hold down the film in the holder. (will see in subsequent pictures)

tbc...

 

[tikiman]

I setup my tripod and inverted the center column, then set up the ballhead and dslr as seen on the picture below, making sure that the camera is leveled, and the VF cover is fixed.

I put the box directly under the the camera and through the live-view, adjusted the box, then tape one side of the box down to fix the position. On the iPad, I used this apps, Softbox Pro ... it was free when I downloaded it. Or you can use Digital Grey Kard apps (free)... the grey card is rubbish, but the white card can be a light source. Please note that your iPad must set to the brightest.

I put the iPad inside the box and a piece of wax paper on top to do custom white balance.

Next up is to put the film in the holder and use a blower to remove any dust on the film (I take about 1 on this). I then use 2 rear lens cap to prop up the holder, turn off the light and start test focusing. I usually let it auto focus first, then set to manual and adjust a little bit more. After that I usually side the film, zoom check (& adjust) and shoot. It took me less than 2 mins to do each strip.

tbc...

 

[tikiman]

I took about 1 hr to do everything... including photographing the process and packing up.

The final work are download, crop, invert & adjustment.

I use CS2, and the actions are:
1) Image->Adjustments->Invert (Ctrl I)
2) Auto Level (Shft-Ctrl-L)
3) Auto Contrast (Alt-Shft-Ctrl-L)
4) Auto Color (Shft-Ctrl-B)
5) Image->Adjustments->Match Color -> Click Neutralize box -> Click OK

thanks for viewing. C&C welcome so I can improve on the process....

 

[hazmee]

Bloody awesome! Love to see more scans in high res!

 

[ahdede]

Thank You! I always scanned my film but ended with the dusk in the picture, making it very ugly (My Scanner was not built for scanning neg) I photoshop. Tmr Gina try making that kind of film holder

 

[oceanpriest]

Thank you! The custom white balance with wax paper and match color neutralize are really helpful!

 

[tikiman]

Thanks for the reply. I started with AWB and Av mode, but it gives me different reading and exposure. It was a nightmare to tune on PS.

So i worked in M mode and test different shutter speed using f8. 1/25 and 1/30 was roughy ok.

I also do my scanning in a room that is pitch black when light is off. So it maybe different for anyone who use a room that is not completely light seal.

 

[azzurri]

thanks for sharing your rig! it's really helpful and informative :thumbsup:

 

[ricohflex]

Good.
Inventive.
How do you ensure film flatness inside film holder?

Noted that your Canon camera has a spirit level but you also need to ensure that the plane of the film holder is exactly horizontal.
The 4 paper clips may not have precision equal spacing.
Maybe make a box.

 

[tikiman]

The film is as flat as I can get from putting a stack of magazines or heavy book for a few days.

Film holder is made of cardboard from the cover of the box, oso quite flat.

Yes, I forgot to mentioned. I also used the spirit level on box. The table is already level... otherwise things will start to roll off

Yes the binder clip positions not equal.

Actually trying to find a opaque plastic box to cut a hole in it, and a 2nd hand film holder.

thanks for input.

 

[321654987]

yes please upload more scans. looking to do this myself!

 

[traceylee]

Nice job... maybe you can upload some more of your results, i'd be interested to see!!!

 

[tikiman]

Thank for showing interest in my diy scanning rig. Sadly i have sort of abandon it as i have got myself a flatbed scanner to scan films and my family's old photos. Like the "Highlander" - 'There can only be ONE', the scanner has chop up the space meant for the rig on my work table. I am unable to show anymore examples of negatives taken with dslr, but if any csers need help explaining, please post on this thread, i will try my best to answer. Thanks