Suggested backlight sources for scanning film with DSLR

[gihlsong]

Yes, that’s correct. I was originally planning to replace my old RaLeno PLV-S192, but I ended up returning it because there was a problem with the product. In fact, the PLV-S192 worked perfectly well for scanning 4x5 color slides and black & white film, so I decided not to purchase the P260C again. Then I came across an article about a DIY lightbox, which piqued my curiosity.

Let's see your DSLR film scanning setup!

[Gihl_201112_0035_PS_01] Linear guide rail slides and linear guide bearing blocks have also arrived. This setup is used for 1x2 or 2x2 multi shots of 4x5 film.

Diffuser for DIY scan light source

[Gihl_220328_0001] This is the lighting setup I use when capturing 4x5 black and white negatives. (1x2 multiple captures). I use a 3mm thick acrylic plastic sheet. Although you can’t see it in this photo, I put a rubber pad between the acrylic plastic sheet and the LED panel. I use 2 pieces of Tru Vue museum glass. When I scan, I turn off all lights in the room. Also, I scan 4x5 films with a large black mask.

[Harry]

Thank you, I remember your rather wonderful micro-adjustable platform now! You might want to look at the information on the light box that Darrell Davis built if you haven’t seen it before, it’s over on the Negative Lab Pro FB forum, you have to join but that’s just a formality:

Facebook

Because it’s FB it’s quite hard to find everything but he built the first one back in 2018 and then gathered enough interest to make a batch this year using the best components, particularly the LEDs.

I see that the information on his first version is over on the ‘Digitizing film with a digital camera’ FB forum.

Facebook

He provides a lot of background information if you go back and seek it out.

[VladS]

@Lets see your DSLR film scanning setup!

Linear guide rail slides and linear guide bearing blocks have also arrived.

Can you please provide more details about these pieces and where they come from. Look very nice!

[gihlsong]

Thank you for the useful information!
I’ve been having problems accessing Facebook for the past few months. I have my own personal Facebook page, and I’ve been active in several forums there, but at some point I started having trouble with the verification process and have been unable to log in.
So, unfortunately, I can’t use Facebook at the moment.
I miss Facebook..

[gihlsong]

• https://aliexpress.com/item/1005009031855182.html

For the Z-axis manual linear translation stages, I used the LZ60. They are very inexpensive, but remarkably precise. They are also very well made. If you search around, you may be able to find an even cheaper supplier.

For the rails, you can find various options on AliExpress by searching for “Linear guide rail SGR.”

[VladS]

Thanks a lot! Appreciate the pointers.

[Digitizer]

@Digitizer

The background I used to mostly compensate the film mask has sRGB 177-139-254

I dug deeper just a little bit and got the following:

The violet shown compensates the mask of Kodak Safety Film 6014 when captured at +2 exposure, which is below any clipping. Screen (backlight) was set to about 100 cd/m2.

RGB Values are for sRGB, screen is an iMac’s that can do the values as shown.

With that background, scans are white balanced from the start and due to my camera set to UniWB, I can set exposure to +2. Different film stock has different masks, so this hue will not work the same in every case. But you’re free to test it with your stuff, using a colour managed tablet as a backlight.

Note that the colour shown by the forum software is slightly off.

[VladS]

I have an app in Python which allows one to control the color of second screen/projector via sliders and even vingnetting across screen.

If anybody interested I can publish the source