Digitizing Negatives Without A Scanner, Using A Digital Camera

[BeryJensen]

You loose negative latitude and color depth but its okay for some idiot.

[leanvlogs]

what about a blank image on the lcd screen of an ipod, or your PC/MAC Screen instead of the lightbox?

[danalee1000]

@leanvlogs That might work, but remember that all LCD screens make white light by a combination of red, green, and blue light. Zooming in that close to the screen with your camera might reveal each individual colour off of the LCD, as well as the details of your slide or negative. But give it a try...

[leanvlogs]

@danalee1000 Actually, the back-lights for LCD's are white fluorescent lights, or LEDs for "LED tech", but what you say is true because when you see a blank image, that white light pass first trough a RGB filter, and a polarizing system ("open" when it is a white image).

So the solution? Open the LCD, remove and use the backlight.

haah no, but seriusly, ANY white lighted LCD have a totally white BLACKLIGHT & diffuser, so you can use it (as instance, I will try with the LCD of my case's front)

[danalee1000]

@leanvlogs That's a great idea, using just the backlight itself. It should work very well, and the light source should be very even - maybe even better than the lightbox I used.

[leanvlogs]

@danalee1000 I think it would work.. I will give it a try and tell you what happened!

[666alberto]

@danalee1000 hi thanks from italy=) but do you think that instead of using light box (that i don't have) ,

this coul be anyway ok? Placing the white sheet of paper on a flat surface so it is lighted evenly by a desk light or other light source, so that the paper il lighted by the same side of the camera is shooting? (not by back)

[alanvwuk]

Nice video and will give it a go !...Thanks

[stang6D8]

Great video......I am starting my transfer today. Same method. However; my SLR does not get that close. May need a new lense. Thanks again, you saved me few bucks!....G.

[NitsanPictures]

@stang6D8 get some macro filters off ebay. :)

[Featureman]

Good tutorial. Thanks.

[ynnebbenny]

Hey thanks buddy. I am in the process of scanning 126 negatives (bigger than 35mm slides) I was going to use the same process as you, but make a box and mount setup. After looking at your video, I reckon I'll just go simple like you.

My only concern is front lighting on the negative. Does this reflect and deminish the results.

[danalee1000]

@ynnebbenny There's probably going to be some contrast loss with front lighting, so maybe, once you're set up, do your shooting in a dark room. That should minimize the problem...

[MegaMo99]

Hi, thanks, I really liked you video.

regarding the "lightbox", I found a thing called

"Lightbox portable panel slide viewer"

It kinda looks like the one you used except the lightning area is only for one 35mm

at a time which is okay by me, my only question is will it be bright enough

it says:

LIGHT SOURCE: Ø5 White LED x3

Thanks ! :D

[danalee1000]

@MegaMo99 Looks like the light source is just 3 LEDs, so they might be a bit "spotty" and would unevenly light the slide or negative. For casual viewing, it sounds great! But for transfers like I showed, you might find your slides/negs have "hot spots" in them. I dunno...might be worth a try though, you never know.

[MegaMo99]

@danalee1000 I'm not sure rather its worth a try or not, although there is a refund. I'll just keep looking for other methods. Thanks.

[adamax08]

awkward shutter sound there :D

[RiverRogueFilms]

Awesome tutorial Dana. Are you a professor by any chance?