Slide to Digital Images

[Burt]

I have lots of slides that I would like to convert to Digital images.. I also have a very large number of negatives, in both black/white and colours, that I would like to convert as well...

What would be my best choice of conversion? I did purchase in the past the Kodak Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner, but there was no quality left in the end result..

Is there anything else that I could use to try to retain a decent quality in the conversion??

 

[Marilynne]

Here's a very old thread, but no one updated if it worked.

https://nikonites.com/forum/threads/cool-way-to-convert-slides-to-digital-1000-per-hour.20406/

 

[BF Hammer]

It would be expensive, but your Z7 is the best tool. Expensive in that you will need a good macro lens like the Z MC 105mm f/2.8 plus a film/slide scanning adapter. You will take a photo of each slide or negative focused at macro distance with much higher resolution than those cheap alternatives. You touch up or turn negative to print in post-processing.

Nikon ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter Set | DSLR Camera Accessories | Nikon USA

The ES-2 is a Film Digitizing Adapter that lets you easily convert your film images to digital. Taking advantage of the high-pixel count of the D850's 45.7 MP, the Film Digitizing Adapter lets you convert both 35mm slides and negatives to digital files. Using a lens such as the AF-S Micro NIKKOR...

www.nikonusa.com

Amazon.com

And there are other even more pricey options.

VALOI easy35 Film Scanning System for Digital Cameras

The VALOI easy35 offers the fastest way to scan your film. Attach directly to your macro lens to digitize in minutes with no copy stand required. Enjoy compact designs, professional illumination, and multi-format support.

valoi.co

 

[Burt]

Here's a very old thread, but no one updated if it worked.

https://nikonites.com/forum/threads/cool-way-to-convert-slides-to-digital-1000-per-hour.20406/

Thanks for the link, unfortunately I no longer have the projector...

 

[Burt]

It would be expensive, but your Z7 is the best tool. Expensive in that you will need a good macro lens like the Z MC 105mm f/2.8 plus a film/slide scanning adapter. You will take a photo of each slide or negative focused at macro distance with much higher resolution than those cheap alternatives. You touch up or turn negative to print in post-processing.

Nikon ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter Set | DSLR Camera Accessories | Nikon USA

The ES-2 is a Film Digitizing Adapter that lets you easily convert your film images to digital. Taking advantage of the high-pixel count of the D850's 45.7 MP, the Film Digitizing Adapter lets you convert both 35mm slides and negatives to digital files. Using a lens such as the AF-S Micro NIKKOR...

www.nikonusa.com

Amazon.com

And there are other even more pricey options.

VALOI easy35 Film Scanning System for Digital Cameras

The VALOI easy35 offers the fastest way to scan your film. Attach directly to your macro lens to digitize in minutes with no copy stand required. Enjoy compact designs, professional illumination, and multi-format support.

valoi.co

Thanks for this suggestion...

I already have the Z MC 50. Do you think that would work as well or does it have to be the 105 lens?
On a different note, I'm not sure of why in the US the adapter sells for $163.95 where in Aus it sells for $320. That price is wrong. It should be $229 AUD.. I will have to look into it, or perhaps buy it directly from China..

Edit:
It looks like I will also need to use the ZTF converter. Do you think it will work? Z7 with ZTF and the MC 50?

Edit 2:
There are several cheaper options for the Film Digitizing Adapter ES-2, on Ebay... Again what you think??

Film Digitizing Adapter Es-2 for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Film Digitizing Adapter Es-2. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.com.au

I really appreciate opinion and previous experiences...

Thank you

 

[BF Hammer]

Thanks for this suggestion...

I already have the Z MC 50. Do you think that would work as well or does it have to be the 105 lens?
On a different note, I'm not sure of why in the US the adapter sells for $163.95 where in Aus it sells for $320. That price is wrong. It should be $229 AUD.. I will have to look into it, or perhaps buy it directly from China..

Thank you

The 50mm might be a bit too wide with a full frame sensor. I do remember reading that it would work with a 60mm macro on a DX sensor. That equals 90mm lens on full-frame. But I was researching to use with a D750 and a Tamron 90mm back then.

Really the ES-2 is a plastic holder that attaches to the filter ring of a lens. It would have an extension on end to reach past the minimum focal distance, and the frosted white backing for light to shine through. There are several Chinese items that do that also, many with an add-on LED backlight. It's kind of a one-project item, so I say no loss trying to save a little money.

 

[Burt]

The 50mm might be a bit too wide with a full frame sensor. I do remember reading that it would work with a 60mm macro on a DX sensor. That equals 90mm lens on full-frame. But I was researching to use with a D750 and a Tamron 90mm back then.

Really the ES-2 is a plastic holder that attaches to the filter ring of a lens. It would have an extension on end to reach past the minimum focal distance, and the frosted white backing for light to shine through. There are several Chinese items that do that also, many with an add-on LED backlight. It's kind of a one-project item, so I say no loss trying to save a little money.

I just purchased this one:

35mm Film Digitizing Adapter+LED Light Set Negative Scanner Holder as Nikon ES-2 | eBay Australia

The set is specially designed for negative copying and converts film to digital files. It can be used to photograph 35mm film and is compatible with the following select Canon, Nikon and Sony lenses1: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro USM Lens [requires supplied Adapter 4# and Adapter 2# (2pcs)] Canon...

www.ebay.com.au

According to the specs, by using the adaptor n.3 I should be able to use the MC 50 lens...

Thanks again for helping mate... Truly Appreciated...

 

[BF Hammer]

Share the results please. It will benefit future people researching.

 

[Burt]

Share the results please. It will benefit future people researching.

Will do...

 

[Clovishound]

Here's a thread where I made a slide holder out of foamcore and a lens hood. I mounted it on my Z105 micro and used a hand held flash to provide light. I diffused the light with several things. IIRC, setting up white paper or foam core and using the flash to illuminate it worked fine.

Slide copying

 

[Burt]

Here's a thread where I made a slide holder out of foamcore and a lens hood. I mounted it on my Z105 micro and used a hand held flash to provide light. I diffused the light with several things. IIRC, setting up white paper or foam core and using the flash to illuminate it worked fine.

Slide copying

Thank you for the link. I just read the entire thread hoping to see the slide holder that you made... I couldn't see any...
I have to agree with Needa.

 

[Clovishound]

I cannot easily find the holder I made to post a picture. I did find something somewhat similar on the internet. Link below. It has both a negative and a separate slide holder. This holder uses a tube that slides over the smooth barrel of a point and shoot digital. I used a lens hood and cut a hole in the slide holder box that slid over the lens hood snugly and was secured with tape. For lighting, You can use a variety of sources, from flash to LED to sunlight. Just use something white and neutral, like white paper, or plastic to either diffuse the light from behind, or shine the light on it and have it reflect back to the holder. I believe I ended up using a piece of white foamcore with light coming from a Godox 685 flash equipped with a small softbox. Lots of setups will work for lighting, although you may have to experiment to get even coverage.

homemade slider copier

 

[Paliswe]

I have tried many different ways to photograph slides. The one that I finally got to work well is the one in the picture.
The camera (Z6) is on a tripod pointed down at a white paper that is illuminated. The lens I used is a 60 mm macro (F-mount) where I have mounted a slide holder on the front. Between the lens and the holder is an adjustable tube. I also had a step-down from 62mm to 52mm.
I have a remote release on the camera so I don't have to touch the camera while photographing. The camera was then connected with HDMI to my computer monitor so I got the image on my 24 inch screen
But this wasn't the hard part, it was keeping track of all the slides and sorting them correctly. One pile for those that were to be photographed and one pile for what had been photographed!
I then took the images into LR, adjusted the color and cropped them. Adjusted the angle a little. Then exported to jpg.

 

[Burt]

I have tried many different ways to photograph slides. The one that I finally got to work well is the one in the picture.
The camera (Z6) is on a tripod pointed down at a white paper that is illuminated. The lens I used is a 60 mm macro (F-mount) where I have mounted a slide holder on the front. Between the lens and the holder is an adjustable tube. I also had a step-down from 62mm to 52mm.
I have a remote release on the camera so I don't have to touch the camera while photographing. The camera was then connected with HDMI to my computer monitor so I got the image on my 24 inch screen
But this wasn't the hard part, it was keeping track of all the slides and sorting them correctly. One pile for those that were to be photographed and one pile for what had been photographed!
I then took the images into LR, adjusted the color and cropped them. Adjusted the angle a little. Then exported to jpg.

Thanks for that.. I just purchased a similar kit from eBay, and when I get it, I will post the results...

 

[Burt]

As promised here it is my review of the 35mm Film Digitizing Adapter+LED Light Set Negative Scanner Holder as Nikon ES-2 purchased on Ebay..

The first thing that I notice was that it took only 6 days free delivery from China... Now considering the world situation, that's impressive...

The box was well packaged and also to my surprise heavy, but there is a reason for it...

Not an mm to spare in this box. Everything was wrapped in good plastic protective film/bags, and it could have easily been a brand items, or perhaps JJC is a good brand in China and I was simply not aware of it... But I'm now!

This what you get and to my surprise beside the two slider holder and the backlight, everything else if made of aluminium. That does explain the weight of the box..
I will now set it up for the Nikon with the Z MC 50 Lens and see what happen...

 

[BF Hammer]

Without realizing it I have amassed a few JJC items over time. Good middle-of-the-road type of quality in general.

 

[Burt]

Ok this is the result taken with the Nikon Z7II with Z MC50 lens and JJC negative adapter... I just realised now that my daughter has all the slides, and with me, I only have a huge box of negatives..

This particular negative was taken back in 1990, so 36 years ago... I have no idea of either who took the picture or what camera they did use..
I just took the shot and use ON1 Photo Raw to change it from Positive to Negative and save it to Jpg. Then I rember the file limitition size and used paint.net to resize it for upload... So from NEF to JPG and to JPG again...

I know it is not a great negative, but it was the first that came out of the box, and I was eager to see the result...
Here is the result:

Considering the age of the film, the way it was kept, and the complete ignorance on how to use most of the photographic software, (Just got ON1 this morning) I like what I see! Compare to my previous experience with the Kodak Digital film mentioned in my OP, the difference is HUGE..

Is going to be interesting to see how we go with other negatives that I got from the 70' taken with the Pentax K1000...

I now have a task of about 12000 piece of negatives by 4 pictures each , that I will convert and save on my SSD before I die... I will first have to learn how to use the software, but I can vouch for this piece of kit... Not bad at all for $120 dollars...

This will keep me busy this winter...