DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

How to “scan” your film shots with the Nikon ES-2 digitizer and your camera

Mar 7, 2020 by John Aldred 10 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

YouTube video

The Nikon ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter was announced way back in August 2017, along with the Nikon D850. It looks like somebody finally bought the $140 plastic tube, though, because a sort-of review and how-to has been posted to DPReview.

The D850 came with a feature specifically designed for use with the ES-2, and so does the new Nikon D780, which is what’s used in the video. Although you don’t have to use one of these two cameras. You can use it with any camera, as long as you have a macro lens.

Using your camera to “scan” film, rather than a flatbed or drum scanner has become quite popular over the last few years. It allows you to get through a lot of them rather quickly, and cameras have gotten to such resolutions now that they can handle them rather well.

The benefit of using the D850 or D780 is that it has a mode specifically for “scanning” negatives, which will automatically invert the shot, as demonstrated in the video. The problem is, this only works when shooting jpg. Although, with the Nikon Picture Control Editor, you can create a custom picture style for just about any Nikon to invert the shot and apply whatever default tone curve you like, as long as you’re happy with jpg.

If you’re shooting raw, you’ll still need to invert it yourself on the computer – although, this is the way most people do it, and it’s the way you’d have to do it with just about any non-D850/D780 camera anyway. Going this route offers a lot more control and options over your contrast, colour (if shooting colour) and tone than shooting jpg and letting the camera decide.

I’ve scanned a lot of my old film shots with the Epson Perfection V700 in the past. But even at 4800dpi, those scans resulted in about 30-megapixel images. And it’s a bit of a faff to deal with when you’re not scanning regularly. I usually wait until I’ve stockpiled 20-30 rolls over a few months, then develop and scan them all at once (chemicals don’t last forever once opened!).

Cameras have had higher resolutions than that for at least 8 years now since the D800 was released, and even the fairly modest (by today’s standards) 24-megapixel cameras can produce “scans” far better than most people need. Although, the V700 (and its more recent replacements) does still have the advantage of being able to scan anything up to 8×10 large format sheet film.

I don’t use the ES-2, though, not with that $140 price tag, especially when it’s limited to only shooting 35mm film. It’s easy enough to make your own equivalent (this one can easily be modified for DSLRs and a macro lens). There are even 3D printable ones out there for a wide range of formats, including 110, 35mm and 120 medium format roll film.

3D Printed film scanners by Eckerput, Jwang149 and thatjoshguy

Personally, I tend to go with the copy-stand and lightbox technique these days, as I already own both of these things already. You could easily do it with a camera on a tripod with a speedlight or continuous light under a sheet of white acrylic, though.

How do you “scan” your film? Did you buy an actual scanner? A device for your camera? Or did you make your own?

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

How to quickly and easily “scan” negative film with your digital camera and a copy stand How to “scan” film using your DSLR and process it in Lightroom The Cameradactyl Mongoose lets you scan a 36 shot roll of film in less than a minute The Film Carrier Mk1 is yet another film holder for “scanning” your film with a digital camera

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: Camera, Film Photography, Nikon

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

« These stunning composites will make you fall in love with Indonesia
This is how to use Photoshop to add a moon to a photo »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Learn photography

Recent Posts

  • AstrHori new 28mm f/13 2x Macro Periscope lens sees round corners
  • Sony World Photography Awards under fire for age limitations in Student contest
  • 5 ways to find inspiration when the weather is sad and grey
  • Photographers, keep an eye out for auroras around the world this weekend
  • How to make beautiful frozen soap bubble photos this winter

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy