Film Scanning

Hi-res digital negative scanning.

My bespoke film scanning set-up

Digital camera & Lens

Nikon Z7 with a Sigma 105mm 2.8 DG MACRO HSM – using a Nikon FTZ MK1 adaptor

Negative Processing

The negative conversion takes place in Lightroom using Negative Lab Pro.

Adjustable copy stand

Nikon Z7 mounted on a Benro 3DWH geared head attached to an old Durst M301 enlarger stand – this set-up allows precise alignment of film plane to sensor

Negative holder & backlight

I use a Kaiser "slimlite" plano LED light box with a CRI=95 to backlight my negatives.

I shoot 35mm – 6x7mm format film and use a range of "The Essential Film Holders"a brilliant solution to keep the negs flat.

Calibrate/Adjust Neg to Sensor

In order to ensure the sensor plane is parallel to the negative I use "Vlads Test Target"

The Benro geared head gives me 3 way control: using the focus peaking control of the

Z7 ensures corner to corner focus of the negative.

And this is my simple, very effective digital scanning process – my Epson V850 is redundant