DSLR Scanning with Color Enlarger?

[flagellum]

Hi all,

I'm looking to digitize color negatives (6x6) via DSLR scanning, as a dedicated 120 scanner is well out of my price range. I've seen rumors that you could theoretically use a color enlarger head as a light source to neutralize the orange mask of C-41 film. My question is, logistically how is this possible?

I'm looking at a Beseler 23cii with a color head, for example. How would I get a DSLR scanning setup working with this? Is it possible to mount the enlarger head upside down, or would I need to stage my DSLR on the baseboard? Additionally, just how does the color tweaking on these heads work? Would it be a matter of trial and error to get accurate color neutralization?

Anyway, if you have any recommendations (ideally if you're using this kind of setup yourself) I'd greatly appreciate any input!

 

[Godfrey]

While there are some theoretical gains to be had, I find it's hardly worth the effort.

I use a flat panel balanced color temperature light box as a light source, and capture raw files. In Lightroom, I click on a piece of the un-exposed rebate of a color negative with the White Balance eye dropper, and then invert. The rest is just detail adjustment until I get what I want.

It's easy and saves all the work of setting up a color head as a crossover mask removal tool. The results are insignificantly different from that too.

G

 

[flagellum]

That does indeed sound much easier, and is something I was considering me before I went down the rabbit hole of neutralizing color with an analog setup, rather than digitally. So you don't get clipped/otherwise off colors?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Used Epson V500 will do it well.