Frequently Asked Questions About Using a DSLR with the Illumitran
More and more people are asking me if they can use their Digital SLR cameras with an Illumitran slide copier. The short answer is yes you can, but there are several variables you must address to determine which pieces of equipment will be needed to give you the best results. Interest in digitizing is growing, so stop back occasionally to see if there are any updates.
FAQs
1. Will my DSLR work on an Illumitran copier so that I can digitize my slides and negatives? Yes, but you will need to determine if your camera and macro lens can be mounted to the bellows adapter rings so that they can be physically attached to the bellows, or if you will need to use an alternate method. The adapter rings are metal opposites of the lens and camera mounts, so that you connect the bellows adapter with the lens mount on it to the camera body, and you connect the bellows adapter with the camera mount on it to your lens. Some models of DSLRs can use the older manual lenses, and some cannot. Some modern lenses will work on older manual cameras, and some cannot. Since there are so many different DSLRs available, you must do the research to see if your camera and lens can be safely used on these older mounts. Adapters for many different cameras and lenses were made over the years. I have a few extras for sale on the main copier page, or you may find some used camera dealers online that carry them. (Note: If your camera body can accept manual lenses, but your modern lens won’t work, use an enlarger lens on the bellows instead. It will work just as well as the camera lens.)
2. I have heard that the Illumitran has a high sync Voltage (also called trigger Voltage) to trigger the flash, is it safe for my camera? All Nikon DSLRs can tolerate up to 250 Volts on the sync circuit, so they are safe. Canon DSLR cameras released AFTER the 1st Canon Rebel (300D) and all 1D series can tolerate up to 250 Volts. Cameras released at or before the 1st Canon Rebel (300D) can only tolerate sync Voltages up to 6 Volts (these are the D30, D60, 10D, and 300D, please note this is the D30 and D60, not the much later 30D and current 60D). A Voltage regulator such as the Wein Safe-Sync Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe High Voltage Sync Regulator (SSHSHS) should be used on these earlier model Canon DSLRs. For other DSLR camera models you will need to research their sync Voltage limits.
3. Did Bowens make camera adapters for DSLRs? No. Bowens stopped making the Illumitran before DSLRs were anywhere near affordable, so all of their adapter rings are for the older purely mechanical cameras and lenses.
4. What if my DSLR cannot accept the older manual mounts? The early models of the Illumitran slide copier actually did not have a bellows and stand. They were intended for use on a photo copy stand. Using a copy stand or tripod can sometimes be easier than using the camera on the bellows, because you are not limited in how close or far away you can get to slide.
5. Do I need a CCU to properly digitize slides? This is a personal choice and depends on your personal work flow. Some people are really into manipulating their digital images in photo editors, and some people hate using them. The Contrast Control Unit (CCU) works the same for digital images as it does for film based images, and when properly setup will lower the contrast in the copied image (every time you take a photo of photo the contrast increases, it doesn't matter whether it done digitally or on film). If you want to reduce the number of corrections that you will have to make to your images after they are taken, then a CCU will help. If you prefer to just capture the image straight and make all of your corrections to the digital image, then a CCU is not necessary.6. Do I need filters to properly digitize slides? Just like the CCU, use of filters is a personal choice and depends on your personal work flow. Filters will get your camera image fairly close to the original, but you will have to go through the color calibration process as described in the instruction manuals which takes time. Also, if color is really important to you, you will need to recalibrate for each different film brand and ASA that you will be digitizing. Remember when you were shooting the original slides how you picked the different film brands and types depending on what you were shooting? Some films were warm, some gave you bright green foliage, some did flesh tones well, ...etc. Getting the filters right on one type of film does not mean that it will be correct for all the others. So, using filters will get you digital image closer to the original, but if the color is critical they won't be enough.
7. What model of the Illumitran is best for digital cameras? Since digital cameras are more flexible than film cameras for making exposure adjustments, any model will actually work quite well with your DSLR. If you want to use a CCU then you will have to get a model 3 or 3S as they are the only models that have the extra power supply for the CCU. If you are going to use the Illumitran with a tripod or copy stand and just want a base unit, go with one of the older, less expensive units and save some cash.
8. Can I shoot negatives or un-cut film on the Illumitran copier? Yes you can, but you will need the appropriate film holder. Since most people did not use the un-cut film holders, they were often set aside and lost, so are harder to find. I sometimes have them for sale in my Illumitran Copier Parts for sale list. (Note: If you are using either the mounted slide or un-cut medium format film holders, you will have to use a tripod or copy stand to get the camera far enough away fill the entire frame.)
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