Film Carrier 35MD

Assembly and Operational Instructions

Your new Film Carrier 35MD allows for automatic advancement between frames when scanning 35mm film. As with all Film Carriers, the best experience occurs when scanning full rolls of film. The 35MD is available as a pre-built system, or an upgrade kit. Features of the 35MD include precision control knob, forward and backward frame selection buttons, and a capture button that automatically advances to the next frame. Additionally, you may turn off this auto advance feature after capture, and set custom frame spacing. Advancement between frames is designed to get the frame almost completely centered, however manual adjustment using the control dial works to ensure precise alignment. Below we will discuss how to operate the 35MD, and how to install the upgrade kit on your existing Film Carrier MK1.

Note: Those with silver drive roller shafts may find the knob hard to remove. Please reach out to us if you are unable to remove the knob, or install the pulley.

What’s Included

Safety Tips and Best Practices

• Never attempt to install or take apart the Film Carrier 35MD with power connected.

• The Controller Module has very sensitive electronic components inside, do not disassemble this unit (doing so will void warranty).

• If your 35MD appears to operate in an unexpected manner, disconnect power and reach out to the Negative Supply team.

• The Film Carrier 35MD is designed to operate in a dry environment, do not operate or plug in the unit if it has been exposed to any liquids.

• Always disconnect power from the Motor Drive unit when not in active operation.

Triggering Your Camera’s Shutter

The Film Carrier 35MD includes the ability to trip the shutter on many common capture methods. For those using a camera with the standard 2.5mm remote plug, you may use a 2.5mm to 2.5mm cable to connect the body of the control module to your camera. For most cameras, this may require your camera to be pre-focused or in manual focus mode.

For those with a camera that does not include the 2.5mm port, the Negative Supply USB Shutter Trigger is an alternate method. This adapter emulates a keyboard so that your computer can receive a command from the control module. This device “presses” the F12 key (Configurable in most applications to act as the keyboard shortcut for capture. Example: Capture One), and the space bar (for EOS utility). To use, first plug this adapter into your computer, and exit out of the keyboard setup screen, you will not need to configure this module. Next, plug in the module to your 35MD control module using the 2.5mm to 2.5mm cable. Now, because you have configured your application (like Capture One) to respond to F12 for keyboard shortcuts, each time you press the center button on the 35MD control module your computer will trigger the camera. This adapter is not meant to connect to a camera directly with USB.

Programable Modes and Features

There are two settings that can be changed to set up the Motor Drive for best use. After disconnecting power, all settings are reset to defaults.

Auto Advance with Shutter Actuation

By Default, after pressing the center shutter button, the 35MD advances to the next frame. This makes it quick and easy to rapidly scan film, eliminating additional button clicks.

Steps to Disable Auto-Advance

1. Hold the center shutter actuation key for 5 seconds.

2. The lights will flash off briefly to let you know it’s okay to release the button, and confirm the setting has been changed.

3. Repeat these steps to re-enable auto-advance, or simply power off the device.

Custom Frame Spacing

By default, the 35MD operates with a pre-set frame spacing that works with most cameras. However, some cameras sold have frame spacing that may slightly differ. To compensate for that, we have created a method for setting a custom frame spacing. As a reminder, this can be re-set to default when powering down the device (unplugging the power cord).

Steps to set custom frame spacing

1. Center your first frame within the Film Carrier aperture.

2. Press and hold the silver control dial for 3 seconds. The lights will begin to glow, and then stay bright.

3. Use the control dial to manually advance to the next frame. It’s important you center this frame just as you did the first.

4. Press the left most control button once to enable precise movement using the dial. Use this to precisely center the frame.

5. Once you are satisfied that you’ve centered the second frame, press and hold the silver control dial until the lights glow and then stay dim.

As a reminder, even with custom frame spacing set, you may still need to manually center frames should they be slightly out of alignment.

Motor Drive Installation Instructions

1. Confirm parts List using the list above.

2. Remove knob using the 1/16" gold hex key

3. Remove the two M6 Bolts using the large silver 4mm hex Key from the knob end. Do not remove the other two

4. Install the pulley onto the shaft using a business or credit card to provide space between the body and pulley. Tighten with the 2mm blue hex key

5. Remove the M4 screw from the engraved side of the film carrier closest to the pulley using the 2.5mm silver hex key.

6. Remove the magnetic motor housing cover, providing you with access to the internals of the motor drive unit.

7. conform that the three motor mount bolts are slightly loose, but do not remove. Confirm the motor will slide back and forth.

8. While holding the 110mm GT2 belt on the pulley facing up, align the belt on the motor shaft pulley and rotate the motor body into position.

9. Carefully pull the motor cable so that the motor body will push flat against the film carrier body

10. Insert the two M6x70mm bolts through the motor body, and into the film carrier body. Finger tighten with the large silver 4mm hex key.

11. Lay the entire unit on a flat surface, in the orientation it would be when scanning, and press the motor drive down until the unit does not wobble.

12. Tighten the two M6x70mm bolts using the large silver 4mm hex key.

13. Slide the motor to the right using very slight pressure, introducing tension to the belt. Tighten the three motor mount bolts using the silver 4mm hex key.

14. Replace the motor cover and plug in the motor drive unit into the Analogue Compute Module.

15. Plug in power into the compute module, and press the forward and advance buttons, confirming the rollers inside the unit are moving.

16. Using a test piece of film, confirm everything is functioning properly.