When using the VALOI Easy 120 for camera scanning, one problem I often run into is lens creep. In vertical orientation—where the camera rests on the lens, and the lens sits on the Easy 120—some lenses tends to slowly collapse under the combined weight. This causes both the focus and magnification ratio to drift, making consistent scanning difficult.
That said, I like the simplicity and reliability of Easy 120 as it solves the major issue – necessity to perform time-consuming alignment. Once the system is dialed in, the alignment is given and focus stays when film is fed through the holder any number of times. There’s no need to fight skew or tilt like with tripods or most copy stands. Mechanically, it’s a solid platform for both 35 mm and medium format work. See my article Full Metal Jacket… about using APO Rodagon lens inside enclosure I constructed from RAF Camera spare parts. Article is not pay-walled.
Creep happens for most of lenses unless lens isn’t internal focusing type. When I use a helicoid for fine-tuning distance between the lens and the camera or film, the problem doesn’t go away. VALOI recommends placing the rig horizontally, resting it on its front side, do be completely honest - I am not thrilled.
While this removes vertical load from the lens, it introduces another issue: bending at the joint between the lens and the distance tubes. That small amount of flex can be enough to throw off alignment.
Why I Added a Rail Bracket
To counteract that bending, I was thinking about telephoto lens support and while casually searching B&H site I encountered a promising lens support bracket: the INNOREL LBK400M, a 15.7" Arca-Swiss compatible unit with an adjustable vertical column. For 28 bucks it cost less then rail of that length along.
The rail lies under the VALOI – camera assembly, and the camera mounts to the column. The column can be raised or lowered to match the camera sensor center and center of film gate, which keeps the whole system geometrically correct and offloads stress from the lens front element.
Here’s how I assemble the setup:
- I mount the camera (Canon EOS R) in a full cage. That gives me a rigid mount for the Arca plate and a clear center mark for sensor alignment.
- I place the Easy 120 vertically on the desk and install the camera and lens.
- I insert Vlads Test Target into the film holder.
- Using the lower helicoid, I set the desired magnification.
- I use the upper helicoid (or the lens focus ring) to bring the image into sharp focus. See the video of the process here
- I unlock the rotating collar at the base, align the frame in the viewfinder, and then lock the collar back down.
- Finally, I attach the rail, adjust the support column so the camera stays and rail runs parallelly to VALIOI distance tubes.
Once everything is locked in, I can rotate the entire assembly into a horizontal position. The geometry holds—nothing shifts. The camera and lens stays aligned as support column keeps camera properly oriented and does not allow lens to sag down.
How I Verify Alignment
To verify that there’s no bending stress, I check whether the helicoids still rotate freely. The Easy 120 base isn’t locked to the rail, so it can slide slightly along the X-axis. I’m considering adding a locating pin to fix that axis and further improve repeatability.
I am using pre-production Easy120 unit so it may look slightly different from what many of you have.
If either one binds or feels tight, I know something’s off. But if they move smoothly, I know everything is correctly aligned, and there’s no unwanted stress on the system.
Aluminum foil you see under collar is to make lock work better 
At this point, I remove Vlads Test Target and load in film. Scanning can commence immediately without further ado.
Here is the Medium article going with more details.