Using a digital camera to photograph slides and negatives

[peterwaller]

As I don't have a scanner I was wondering if it is possible to use my digital camera (Canon 20D) to autograph my negatives. I seam to remember seeing years ago a SLR attachment that would allow you to photograph a slide. Has anyone tried this with a digital camera?

[tuckeruk]

Certainly the principle is sound.

Unfortunately the 'slide copiers' you mention will not be useful on cropped sensor DSLRs due to the crop only allowing you to copy a central portion of the slide.

I used a macro lens with a lashed-up DIY slide holder (at an adequate distance from the lens) to quickly achieve this:




Other samples here: http://www.pbase.com/tuckeruk/scans

Hope that helps.

[talleyfamilyphotography]

OK, tuckeruk, you've got me motivated. After dropping off box of slides to the local camera store and having them converted to digital files (at about $2.00 US per slide), I'm going to try your trick to see if I can get some more of them "scanned" in.

[adalberto_tiburzi]

You can try my technique


http://www.pbase.com/image/28341273

Canon 300D + 18-55 kit lens handheld (both camera AND slide).

Hope helps

[talleyfamilyphotography]

I had decent results by making a "lightbox" of sorts with a translucent plastic container in front of a halogen desk lamp. Used my macro lens to zoom in on the slides. However, I had to run it full zoom (300mm) to get the slide to fill most of the frame. My lens, a Tamron 70-300mm LD Di II with 1:2 Macro is not known for its sharpness at 300mm. Still, the results were acceptable after applying some USM in Photoshop.

Here's a sample. This is me at about age 8 (circa 1968) with my first camera.

[quinn23]

http://www.pbase.com/lowthian/digitizing_old_slides

[quinn23]

http://www.pbase.com/lowthian/digitizing_old_slides

[goodlistener]

Pete, by chance this came to my attention today and its relevant to your post. I have never used one, but for $69 the upside potential seems huge.

[goodlistener]

I forgot to pase the web link in for a slide converter.

/www.opteka.com/productdetail.asp?productid=4124

[dang]

I've gotten the slide copy section for my bellows today, and it works great, even allowing cropping. I'm using the Pentax Bellows II, with the 50mm f/4 Macro-Takumar. Here's a shot of the set up. They're very reasonable these days, but have to be used with adapter.

I've added more information which can be found here: http://dangphoto.net/m42.htm

[ronnie_14187]

This is about as cheap as you can get.
Length of 2" pvc pipe, a simple holder made from wood and finally a thread adapter where one end screws into the end of the lens and the other side that is glued into the PVC pipe.
Drop a slide in, hold up to a light source and click. Since the holder moves with the image, shutter speed is not an issue. All images come out sharp. Well as sharp as the original slide.
Here is an image of the one I made.
http://www.pbase.com/ronnie_14187/image/68630599

Here are a few I have copied:
http://www.pbase.com/ronnie_14187/image/36165804
http://www.pbase.com/ronnie_14187/image/66943056

[dang]

Of course, probably the easiest way as Phil & I have discussed between us.. is to purchase an inexpensive scanner that has slide copy ability. They can be found in most all computer stores for less than $100.00 now.

It's much like deciding what camera to get.. it depends on how much you'll be using it, wish to spend or what you already have on hand. Example being, the slide attachment was only $15.00, and an easy way to go since I already had the bellows for macro work.

I like the idea of making your own too. Nice job on it, btw. Could you tell us what size adapter ring you used to fit inside the tube, & focus distance you're setting your lens too? I'm assuming closest, which is reverse of the bellows due to the extension between body & lens.

[misschuff]

Go well Ronnie. I love it. I've inherited my father's slide collection and have a 'scanner/printer' although haven't fired it up to do this.

We've just bought a Canon 300D (rebel in the US) and starting to play. I've copied your pic of the tube and will ask MDH (my darling husband) to put one together. We're encouraging our our 15yr old is starting to play with the DSLR and this is another thing she can do 'the hard way' before showing her the easy way (with the scanner).

Thanks for the pic and no copyright on that I hope.

Carlitla