Recommended Accessories

Light Panel

The light source is one of the most important things when creating a camera scanning setup. Consistent light creates evenly lit images, and full spectrum light allows for great color correction. Chances are, if your light source isn’t high CRI or has dips in the spectrum, your colors will be very hard to correct. There are many light panel options out there, but the very best offer consistent, full spectrum light with a brightness high enough to capture images at moderate shutter speeds. Kaiser makes a great line of panels, called the Slimlite. We have used this as it offers great light and a solid price.

Camera & Lens

Camera Body

Just about any semi-modern interchangeable camera will work great for camera scanning. There are many mirrorless or DSLR options to choose from, with the most convenient offering tethered live view capture to your computer. The Canon T2i is probably the cheapest option out there with tethering and large lens selection, and new cameras like the Sony A7 series are now very affordable with great IQ. High end setups may even use the new full frame Panasonic mirrorless cameras with pixel stitching.

Macro Lens

For camera scanning, the one real requirement is that your lens focuses close enough to capture the entire frame, without having to digitally crop. For full frame cameras and capturing 35mm film, the term 1:1 designates a lens that will reproduce the 35mm frame exactly onto the full frame digital sensor. With crop bodies, 1:1 focus even closer. There are also options to use extension tubes for older macro lenses. We have had excellent results with an inexpensive Nikon 55mm macro from the film days, using a simple extension tube to get 1:1 on our full frame bodies. Higher end, yet affordable options include the excellent Sigma 70mm ART Macro. The Outside of reproduction factor (1:1), also look out for lenses that are sharp, have good color reproduction, limit internal reflections (modern coatings), and have very little vignetting. Finally, it’s generally best to use your lens stopped down 2-3 from wide open, as this gives a good combination between depth of field and brightness.

Camera Stand

Our favorite option for a camera stand is something you already own, like an old enlarger with an adapter plate. However, if you must purchase something, we have created the Pro Riser. This compact camera stand works best with mirrorless and midsized DSLR cameras and features lead-screw height adjustment for quickly and easily raising and lowering. Because of this adjustment option, it is impossible for your camera to “fall” or “descend uncontrollably” into your workpiece.

Software for Conversion

Negative Lab Pro

A fantastic Lightroom Classic plugin, NLP quickly converts negatives inside your existing LR workflow with excellent color reproduction and speed. With a huge user base and large continued development, this application is used by many working professionals and amateurs alike.

FilmLab Desktop

Launched on the same day as our Film Carrier 120, this software is currently in beta. Features include image conversion without the use of other software, and Mac/PC compatibility. With color science based on darkroom printing, the interface will feel easy to use and streamlined.

Contributors

Saxon McClamma: Co-founder Negative Supply

AJ Holmes: Co-founder Negative Supply

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