Using bellows with the *istDS

I am trying to copy some slides with bellows (A) however due to the smaller size of the sensor in comparison with 35mm format I am unable to obtain a full frame copy using either 50 or 28mm lenses. Has anyone out there managed to achieve 1:1 copies?

Of course I could try stitching frames in photoshop but I'm feeling a bit lazy!

Do you mean bellows, or a slide copier (or a slide-copier attachment fitted to a bellows)?

Basically, all normal 35mm slide copiers will crop the pictures. However, it is possible to mount a lens on a bellows, then lash up a rig to mount the slide slightly further away, and Bob's your uncle.

G

Sorry, should have said slide copier attached to bellows.

The problem is that the standard unit won't allow great enough distance from the film plane to the object.

As you suggest, I will probably need to lash up some sort of rig to gain the additional distance.

I have that same rig and the problem is that you have to use a flat-field lens like a bellows lens to keep the corners sharp and maintain proper perspective, which is absolutely critical for good copy work. You can't really use any kind of wide angle and get good results. I use a 50 mm macro. You can extend it or not, but I've managed to achieve full frame w/ no probs. If you extend, you can start cropping in the frame. You have to jigger with it, but it works well.

Here's a tip: face a white wall and use the TTL popup to get perfect exposure. Works like a damn. I also hook the camera up to the 'pootah and automate the process straight into photoshop. Only like, 20,000 more negs to go!

Should keep you out of trouble for a while!

Bokeh Bob,

Thanks for the advice. I haven't tried the options which you have suggested but it'll be a bit of fun giving them a go. I've been using daylight and bracketing up to now.

I have als been using a A 50mm f2 and a M 50 f1.7 to date, and have managed to get a max. of approx. 90% coverage of the original slide. The problem I have obtaining 1:1 is due to the extension of the bellows unit. I'm going to try using extension tubes in place of the bellows next.

With regard to the lenses though! the f1.7 is giving me better copies than the f2 lens. However both are producing quite grainy images when processed in photshop. Like you I have a few slides to copy so I need to optimise performance before I get too carried away. How are your images? I know you can't beat slides!

I did some testing of digitizing slides using a macro lens with the DSLR but the results weren't all that good. Instead I dug out my old slide scanner and built an NT PC (the scanner isn't compatible with XP) and the results from that were much, much better. Despite the age of the scanner the results still compare quite favourably with photos taken using the DSLR.