Scan Slides with Kodak Carousel Projector (Hack)

[ColSebastianMoran]

I see some dust problems above.

 

[predicolous]

Well that works out pretty well already I’d say. I wouldn’t have thought it would go that fast when we talked about it at first!

When looking for a LED light source make sure to get a high quality CRI one or maybe use a flash. There’s been some discussion going on in the digitalization with a camera group on Facebook regarding the wavelength of the reds and how cheap LEDs have a problem with that
I would rather use a stronger light source and keep faster shutter speeds at f/8 or similar
Another idea: try the light source a pakon F235 uses - i know it’s halogen but don’t remember which. But I’m sure you’ll find it!

Using this as a preview to sort the keepers is a very good idea. If your carousel has a timer it’s a great idea to shoot tethered onto the pc already and maybe use some timer on the camera as well. So every 2 seconds new slide, every other two seconds image capture - you could leave the room or prep a second carousel in the meantime which you could just switch out (if that’s possible). But at 4 seconds / image you might have a hard time keeping up with feeding the turning carousel with new slides I could imagine

Although I finished digitizing our family’s slides this is a very interesting setup!

 

[predicolous]

The beach image already seems pretty sharp when looking at the lower left edge!
Might be it’s just the slide being miss-focused.
Did you check it with a magnifying glass?

(I'd say >30% of my family’s slides were not in focus)

 

[pyeh]

Must say, this method shows a lot of potential for mechanising the feeding of slides. Great idea, Colonel and Predicolous. I also fancy the suggestion of using the intervalometers on the projector and camera and staggering their action.

Brett,
The projector lens doesn't come into play. It's removed and you stick the camera lens right into the chamber.
Have you been laid low recently? too much carousing on New Year's Eve?

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Must say, this method shows a lot of potential for mechanising the feeding of slides. Great idea, Colonel and Predicolous. I also fancy the suggestion of using the intervalometers on the projector and camera and staggering their action.

Brett,
The projector lens doesn't come into play. It's removed and you stick the camera lens right into the chamber.
Have you been laid low recently? too much carousing on New Year's Eve?

Yes what's being done with the Carousel sans lens is interesting, to be honest, I wouldn't have thought of trying that but I was wondering how the results might compare with simply acquiring an image off a screen. It may well be superior. I only tried this once many years ago, the camera was four megapixels worth, and I used the front of my refrigerator as a screen. It worked, but I wouldn't draw any conclusions from my results, given the methodology definitely wasn't ideal! I managed to dislocate a kneecap rather badly recently, and then, because I wasn't smart enough to rest it, did it again. So now I am restricted for a bit until the swelling eases. Thanks for asking, kind of you. 🙂
Cheers,
Brett

 

[pyeh]

Brett, us antipodeans must look after each other. Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Very painful.

I believe taking a photo of a projected slide was once a serious way of slide duplication. It might even have been done for copying movie film or transferring from film to video. I might have even tried it myself once. In any case the copy would be a 3rd generation image.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

...I would rather use a stronger light source and keep faster shutter speeds at f/8 or similar
Another idea: try the light source a pakon F235 uses - i know it’s halogen but don’t remember which.

50 Watt Solux Halogen 12v, 50W EIKO MR16 (GU5.3), with a remarkable 4700°K color temp.

That's 1/4 the heat output. Very interesting idea.

Until (unless) I hacksaw the projector, I'd like to avoid doing anything irreversable. Maybe the Solux will fit directly, changing only the wiring to get 12v.

 

[raid]

This is a very smart idea. I wish you all the luck. Many people here want a quick and easy method for scanning old slides. I do.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

How much contrast in slides? Here's the histogram from the beach scene.

There is more density range in the slide than in color negatives. Camera-scan of slides may benefit from bracketing and HDR. Will do more experiments on this.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Won't the substitution of a cooler light source result in colour temperature and gamut complications? The colour of those old slides shown above looks gorgeous by the way.

How would the results from photographing the projected image on a flat screen compare with what you've done so far?

Yes, I've heard of this, and I think I've done it in a pinch.

Might work, but I'm not going to go that route; I prefer a compact setup rather than one in which I have to darken the room.

Hope you're feeling better!

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

The projector lens doesn't come into play. It's removed and you stick the camera lens right into the chamber.

Exactly. Longer focal length lens allows slide to fill more of the image area.

For anyone who wants to try it at home: 1) rig some kind of diffuser, be careful it could get hot in there, 2) remove the lens, 3) poke your macro lens into the hole.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Next step.
- Same lamp, 300w, overkill but hard to switch-out. It's 3400°K type ELH.
- Better diffuser. Cut from plastic lid for storage bin. Seems color neutral.
- Camera on tripod, aimed more carefully and kept in position. APS camera Nikon D300, 105mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor. With this lens, I can fill the frame with the slide image.
- Bracket exposure. For some slides this helps.

Here's an example, food prep at a beach party 1970, shade but direct sun in background. This is a Kodachrome slide. 10MPx from this 12MPx camera. I think this is pretty good.

 

[pyeh]

Looking good, CSM. Thanks for sharing your experiments with us in this and other photo duplication threads. I read them all avidly.

 

[Huss]

Love this out of the box thinking. How hard is it to ensure planarity between the sensor and the slide?

 

[predicolous]

Here's an example, food prep at a beach party 1970, shade but direct sun in background. This is a Kodachrome slide. 10MPx from this 12MPx camera. I think this is pretty good.

pretty good? that's super awesome ! Take a look back where you started this morning!

it's definitely sharp and has great colors - very good enough to sort out keepers and even good enough to archive nearly keepers i'd say!

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Love this out of the box thinking. How hard is it to ensure planarity between the sensor and the slide?

I frame the shot to include a bit of black border around the slide image area. It's pretty easy to see whether things are lined up.

Is this truly planar? I don't know.

Would be hard to do the usual tests (mirror at subject plane).

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Key is to place a diffuser in the light path. Best place seems to be on the slide-side of the heat absorbing glass (the flat glass, not the convex lens).

Caution: It's a 300w lamp, make sure you are comfortable you won't start a fire. I want to switch to a lower wattage lamp. In the meantime, I plan to limit the run time.

What material for the diffuser? I cut up the white plastic cover of a plastic storage bin. It's about 1mm thick. Passes plenty of diffused light. With the 300w bulb, exposure is 1/1500, f/8, ISO 200. I'll be happy with two or three stops less light and heat.

 

[iphoenix]

I'm watching developments with great interest. I have many slides I wish to convert, and 2 Kodak Carousel projectors - 1 basically for parts (about worn out but complete) and 1 in E.C.
I suspect (hope??) the "parts" one may qualify for modification.
Thanks for your efforts.
David

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Brett, us antipodeans must look after each other. Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Very painful.

I believe taking a photo of a projected slide was once a serious way of slide duplication. It might even have been done for copying movie film or transferring from film to video. I might have even tried it myself once. In any case the copy would be a 3rd generation image.

Yes, I've heard of this, and I think I've done it in a pinch.

Might work, but I'm not going to go that route; I prefer a compact setup rather than one in which I have to darken the room.

Hope you're feeling better!

Thank you guys, you are kind.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I'm watching developments with great interest. I have many slides I wish to convert, and 2 Kodak Carousel projectors - 1 basically for parts (about worn out but complete) and 1 in E.C.
I suspect (hope??) the "parts" one may qualify for modification.
Thanks for your efforts.
David

Whole reason for doing this is the slide transport. Check your worn-out one. The usual failure on these projectors is the slide advance.

eBay or Amazon has solutions for "Kodak Carousel Projector repair"