I’m currently re-configuring my setup which was a Nikon D800e + Sigma 70mm DG Macro. Great results, but I plan on getting an A7R IV for bird photography and figured, why not just start using it for film scanning as well? So the D800e is sold and I figure before I buy an e-mount Sigma 70mm macro (that I’m sure I’ll be happy with), I’d go down the scanner lens rabbit hole.
Due to all of the talk on here about scanner lenses being the absolute most best perfectest amazing lenses for this job, I thought I’d give it a go. I’ve read a few of Mr. O’Toole’s articles and have seen lots of great close up photography of things that are not film. Could anyone post their setup and results of actual film scanning with a DiMAGE 5400 lens and a camera?
The Minolta DiMAGE 5400 lens is such a great piece of glass. The quality is superb. BUT it won’t work with the A7R IV as it doesn’t cover full frame sensors. The scanner works be scanning along the side of the smaller side (24mm) of the film.
So unless you don’t want to stitch 35mm scans, you should be looking for another lens to use.
Yeah I’m kind of over stitching It isn’t terrible but let’s be honest, these 35mm negatives don’t need that kind of love. How about certain enlarger lenses, then? I have a Nikon PB-4 bellows that I can either keep and pair with something else, or just go with another 70mm Sigma since I know it’s quite the bang for the buck.
I wrote things up in the following threads, mainly recommending the Schneider Kreuznach 120 Marco Symmar (see the second link for the right magnification level) or the Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon D 2X 75mm/4.5, which is the consumer version of the lens inside the Flextight scanners. Both lenses cover digital medium format easily, so can’t go wrong on either of them.
I appreciate it! I’m going with the Rodenstock. Just so I’m clear, it uses M39 screw mount, right? Which is great because I have an M39 to F adapter already.
When I first started camera scanning I got a used Nikon Micro Nikkor from KEH for pretty cheap, and it’s really sharp. I had to get an extension tube for better magnification.
I used it on a Fuji X Pro 1 with an adapter and had pretty good results considering how flimsy my setup was. Terrible light source, very bad film holder etc.
So I’d do that, look into vintage Nikon macro lenses. Mine is specifically a Nippon Kogaku Micro-NIKKOR Auto 55mm f/3.5 with a Nikon M2 extension tube.
I run Sony’s native 50mm Macro @ F8 - really damn happy with that glass! But I also use horisontal setup as I have copy stands…so 50mm is good working distance for me.
Test scans are looking pretty good. Still playing around with the setup. A few negatives with the bellows:
Having the bellows mounted to the copy stand is allowing for a lot of shake and vibration so I have to be careful when making an exposure. Just slows me down a bit.
Back to manual focus. Kind of a pain
You lose quite a bit of light with the bellows. I’m used to getting much, much faster shutter speeds, but this was to be expected. Just pointing it out.
Hey @AMC6131 so sorry, I haven’t checked in here in a while.
For the bellows I used a Sony E to Nikon F mount adapter. The lens is M39 thread mount, so I use an F to M39 for that end of it. That’s really just because this is a Nikon bellows, but there are other types out there. However, I really like the Nikon bellows series. You can get them for a decent price used. Very well built.
It isn’t terrible but let’s be honest, these 35mm negatives don’t need that kind of love. How about certain enlarger lenses, then? I have a Nikon PB-4 bellows that I can either keep and pair with something else, or just go with another 70mm Sigma since I know it’s quite the bang for the buck.
I will see if I can find a 60mm macro Nikkei maybe.
