Fuji X-E1 as Negative Copier

[jwcat]

If I can post pictures I will. I am just starting using the X-E1 with an Nikkor AI 55mm Micro 2.8 with extension tube as a slide and negative copier. I am very pleased so far. I can focus on the grain of the negative. You can also see my photo stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwcat/.

John

 

[stompyq]

I do this with my D7000 with a very similar setup (mine is the older f3.5 55mm micro). Do you use a copy stand or try to get even with the film plane using a tripod setup? Would like to know more details

 

[coelacanth]

I did that with A7R and Nikkor AI 55mm Micro 2.8 plus extension tube to get 1:1 macro. I like the process, which is surprisingly close to darkroom work. You'd even do a "grain check" with magnification feature of the camera.

I don't have A7R anymore, but I'm planning to use the same setup with different body to do this.

 

[jwcat]

I do this with my D7000 with a very similar setup (mine is the older f3.5 55mm micro). Do you use a copy stand or try to get even with the film plane using a tripod setup? Would like to know more details

I have a small lighted copy stand that the person I bought it from used to copy 4x5 glass negs.

The stand has a rack up and down function that is kind of stable. It is so small that there is not much mass. I have never done macro before and that is a learning curve of it's own. Using the x10 manual focus magnifier of the X-E1 the grain pops in just like using an enlarger grain magnifier. I also have done a few slides with great results. My monitor on my computer is going, so I have been importing the shots into my iPad. I use PS Express to invert the B&W negs and Snapseed for everything else. I expect better output from my computer with the programs I have on there, but I am happy with my results so far anyway, much better and faster than my old Epson 3200 that I used to use.

 

[jwcat]

I added two shots of my dinky setup to my photo stream.

 

[stompyq]

I scan 35mm as a quadrant. Essentially 4 overlapping frames to cover the entire 35mm image. The stitch them together in PS. The resulting resolution is quite high and the results are on par if not better than the Nikon coolscan 4000 that I used to have

 

[jwcat]

I have read about that and intend to try that when I get my computer going. I have to make some jigs to hold the slides and negs, including one that allows me to maneuver the pic around in a controlled manner.

 

[marek_]

Has anyone compared the quality of the images one gets by using a digital camera, in this case a XE-1 compared to say a Plustek 8100? I'm looking to get a scanner for 35mm. I've already got a Epson V600 which scans B&W 120 good, B&W 35mm fairly well, Colour 120 just about okay, and colour 35mm abysmally. I've heard and read good and bad things about the Plusteks. Some people say they are as good or better than the old Nikon Coolscans and Minoltas, some say they don't come close. They're guaranteed to be better than a flatbed for 35mm, but how much better, if better are they than a aps-c sized digital camera?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Monochrom]

i´ve been using a beoon copier with my m9...and it´s incredible how these devices squeeze info of each negative!!!

Results are sometimes as good as a native m9 file! :O

 

[marek_]

Hi Monochrom,

Checked out your thread relating to the beoon copier - nice results and nice simple set-up. I was looking into few leica kits for macro and copy work. I've just got a XE-1 and have a selection of M lens, and a few enlarger lens which could work nicely for macro copying. Good to see you can get good results with such a set-up.

Mark