Digital camera scanning: bellows with negative holder or copy stand?

[fdonadio]

Hello, fellows!


I have looked around, also ran some Google searches, but didn't find any solid answer.

Mostly, I want to scan black and white 35mm negatives. Medium format (6x6) is desirable, but not my priority. Large format can be done with a good flatbed scanner. I don't need the quality of a drum scanner, just enough to evaluate my shots on screen, to decide which ones to print. Having a "digital index" of all my negatives and even having small copies (4x6", 10x15cm) printed are also interesting ideas.

But I would still like to get the best quality I can, because my time isn't free. The time spent looking at a computer screen could be better used for other stuff, if you know what I'm sayin'.

I will be using my Nikon Z6 II. I understand I have several options in terms of gear. Whether I use a 55mm or 105mm Micro-Nikkor, I will need to use an extension tube or bellows. Nikon bellows can use a slide/film holder attachment, which looks very nice, but is only useful for 35mm film.

From my research, the 105mm would be the best option for doing both 6x6 and 35mm.

So, on to my questions:

1. Is there any advantage in using bellows (in comparison with extension tubes)?

2. Besides being able to use several different sizes of originals, is there any advantage in using a copy stand?

3. Is parallelism (between the original and image sensor) easier to achieve with the slide/film attachment and the bellows, or will it be as easy with a copy stand?

I guess this is it. After that, I have a reason to feed my GAS.


Cheers,
Flavia

 

[loccdor]

1. Is there any advantage in using bellows (in comparison with extension tubes)?

2. Besides being able to use several different sizes of originals, is there any advantage in using a copy stand?

3. Is parallelism (between the original and image sensor) easier to achieve with the slide/film attachment and the bellows, or will it be as easy with a copy stand?

I guess this is it. After that, I have a reason to feed my GAS.


Cheers,
Flavia

I use a Pentax Copy Stand from the 70s for this.

1. Not really if you're using a macro lens that has a good focal range already. The bellows can add dust and aren't necessary if the lens is pretty close to being in focus. My 50mm Pentax SMC D FA 50mm f/2.8 macro lens can do 1:1 which is fine up to 35mm. For half-frame, I add a 20mm extension tube. I recommend you use a lens optimized near 1:1 and designed for that purpose for best results.

2. Alignment, uniformity, predictability. Being able to more easily shift the frame if you want to do image stitching for ultra-high-resolution work.

3. A bubble level on the film holder, and a bubble level on the camera back, were enough for me to achieve parallelism. I use a cheap tiny level that isn't even accurate, but as long as I get the same (shifted) reading in both locations, it still works.

 

[Paul Howell]

I use a bellows and slide duplicator, I use a Pentax brand M42 with adapter for Minolta Sony A mount. The only advantage of a bellows is to get a really close up crop. The slide duplicator I get really good diffuse lighting. Downside is that you will need to use a tripod, I usually use my set outdoors late in the day with a white wall as a backdrop. I think the ultimate in using old analog gear would be a dedicated Pentax (In the U.S) Honeywell slide duplicated stand, has a built in flash, bellows. Should work with a mirror less digital and adapter. I think it made in both M42 and K mount.

 

[runswithsizzers]

3. Is parallelism (between the original and image sensor) easier to achieve with the slide/film attachment and the bellows, or will it be as easy with a copy stand?

If the slide/film attachment are well made (as I would expect from Nikon gear) then alignment should be built in, and easy. Getting everything lined up and parallel can be somewhat fussy and time consuming when using a copy stand.

 

[250swb]

@fdonadio definitely a copy stand with a light pad which opens up all the options of film formats. People spend too much on specialist copy outfits that will only do 35mm when something far simpler and cheaper is just as good or better. That said I did buy a really good Kaiser copy stand which makes setting up and height adjustments easier than my previous 'basic' stand. If you are using a Nikon Z I recommend the 105mm, not only for it's exceptional performance stopped down but also auto focusing. If not that then the 60mm D, you won't get AF but it doesn't cost too much and is nearly as good as the 105mm. For aligning everything get a free bubble level app that will give you a surface level and put your phone flat onto the LCD screen to adjust the camera angle.

 

[mwdake]

I use a home made copy stand, sturdy purpose built ones seemed too expensive.
I have a super clamp with stud mounted to it and a micro focusing rail which gives enough travel to cover 35mm to MF 6x7. I tried a tripod head as well but that seemed more than was needed.
I use a Nikon 55mm macro with M2 tube and use a mirror on the baseboard to align it.