In February I accidentally (long story) purchased a bucket list lens - the Nikkor 200mm f2.0 AI. In March I added a new to me camera - the Canon 5DSR. In May I found a new way to scan film negatives that results in perfect color. That prompted me to purchase an "Essential Film Holder" from an engineer working out of his kitchen with his wife in London, because they are swamped with orders. Next (there is always a next) I needed software to convert the scans to get that perfect color - enter "Negative Lab Pro". Which necessitated a used Nikon PG-2 focusing stage, a CRI 95 light panel, plus wireless triggers for the cameras. Straight up it has triggered a renewed energy in my passion for photography resulting in me shooting more images in the last seven months than the previous two years.
This is the new way to scan negatives. You use a DSLR to shoot the negative. Pictured here is the Canon 5DSR (50 megapixel), a 50mm f2.8_Schneider Componon-S enlarging lens (proved better than my other four macro lenses) plus a set of Nikon "K" tubes. The Essential Film Holder, with a light panel providing the illumination. (not pictured is the wireless trigger).
Since an enlarging lens does not have a focusing helicoil that is why a Nikon PG-2 focusing stage was required. Here are some of the results. (click photos for larger versions)
Notice in this 100% crop that even the grains of the Fuji iso 400 film are in perfect focus. No sharpening has been applied, or noise reduction.
