The Basic Light Source Mini is more compact, 4+ stops brighter than our 4x5 Light Source Basic, comes in at 97 CRI which is great for both black and white and general purpose color film scanning, less expensive and integrates with nearly all Negative Supply accessories. This light is perfect for users who scan 35mm and 120 film and need a very bright, color accurate light source that’s built to last.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about how CRI and TCLI should be used to compare light sources for film scanning purposes. We’ll break it down for you!

CRI is a metric used to tell us how a light source renders color based on human perception. What this does not tell us is how this light will render on film or in our case, a digital camera. The TCLI value will give us a more complete view of color accuracy and more directly relates to film scanning.

CRI is often the metric given when comparing light sources in our industry, though TCLI is perhaps more critical.

The TLCI value is averaged from the 24 colors from the MacBeth Color Checker Chart with the maximum value of 100 being the best. Light sources that score a 90 or higher are often seen as high quality light sources that will cut down on post production time.

After extensive testing we’ve determined the following:

4x5 Light Source Basic 99 CRI: Scored a 98.3 for TCLI and 99.0 CRI

Light Source Mini 97 CRI: Scored a 98.0 for TCLI and 97.3 CRI

That means that scans from either of these light sources will show effectively no difference even in tricky color scenes. If you’re scanning 35mm and 120 film our Light Source Mini 97 CRI is absolutely the right choice for you.

Features:

• Backwards compatible with all Negative Supply accessories for 4x5 Light Source Basic

• Illuminates an image area large enough for all formats up to 6x9 120 film

• 97 CRI light rating for high color accuracy

• 18,000+ LUX

• Custom in-house designed and in-house finished acrylic that increases brightness, CRI rating and improves light uniformity

• 4 stops brighter than our 4x5 Light Source Basic and equal in brightness to our 5x7 Light Source Pro

• Brightest, most color accurate light source on the market for film scanning in its price range.

Includes:

• Light Source Mini 97 CRI

• International AC power supply with domestic and international power adapters

• Instructions

• Optional: In-line power switch which adds a quick on and off button to the Light Source Mini

PRODUCT DIMENSIONS (L x W x H):
7.5 x 4.8 x 0.8 (scanning area - 3.75 x 2.5)

*120 film will need to be scanned with longer than a 60mm+ full frame equivalent lens