KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

I'm thinking about buying a 105mm Nikon Macro lens for portrait and close-up/macro photography. I'd like to also copy 35mm slides.

As this is a crop camera, at 1:1 I'll get only about 2/3 of the slide image, right? How is the set-up different for slide copying on a crop camera with this lens?

Can someone point me to what I need? I attempted a search on the macro list, but was quickly bewildered.

Thanks,

Alan

jim quist Loc: Missouri

If the slide copier is attached to the end of the lens you will get the entire image.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

You can completely copy a 35-mm slide (36mm x 24mm) to an APS-C sensor (24mm x 16mm) because both are essentually 3x2 format.

The requirement is to position your original 35-mm slide proper distance from lens/camera set-up so that you capture maximum coverage without cropping any of the slide image. Proper slide illumination will also be required. Commercial slide copiers are set-up to this standard.

Blasthoff Loc: Life halved NY and IN

1:1 of a "Full Frame" or 35mm image is larger then a DX sensor , so no it will not fit. What you will need to do is move back (ie: create more space between slide and lens), until the entire slide fits the DX frame.

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Thanks, that's what I was suspecting. Is the ES-1 Slide Copier the correct one for use on the 105mm lens? From the picture, it looks like there must be more parts, beside the additional distance required.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/slide-copy-adapters/es-1-slide-copying-adapter-for-52mm-thread.html

I type this as I'm looking at a film side copier for my old 35mm Miranda camera. That I just dug out of a closet. I have bellows, reversing rings, extension tubes, AND a slide holder. Too bad I can't re-use some of this.

I machined Miranda bayonet mounts and tubes when I shot film (40 years ago). I could possibly machine a part or two for a Nikon copier to allow me to use my bellows. Bellows has bayonets on each end. Wishful thinking...

Alan

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The adapter works with 35mm/full-frame ( I had one), but I think you'll need more space than the adapter allows for DX cameras. ...

I used it with the 55mm macro and the PK-13, as the instructions specify....so using it with a 105 is probably not going to work as you'd need more working room.

The distance is adjustable, but not that adjustable.
From Nikon's website:

Attached to the AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D lens with the BR-5 Ring or the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 lens, this adapter enables duplication of 35mm film.
Attaching the ES-1 to the Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 lens and extension tubes, you can copy 35mm slides.

Blasthoff Loc: Life halved NY and IN

Only if the "slide copier" were used on a "Full Frame" camera. 1:1 of a 35mm slide is larger then a DX sensor, hence, a cropped image would be produced. You need to create a little more distance between slide and lens (less then 1:1) to record the entire frame on a DX camera.

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Thanks for the numbers. Looks like a lot of extension to get the 105mm out (135mm or so) to where it will focus and fit the frame.

I wanted to have another justification for a 105mm Macro lens, but maybe I should look at a 60mm Macro instead.

How about a reverse lens mount ring? I turned on my D3300 with the lens off, and the camera told me so and would not give me an image at all. (I was considering just using a 50mm Miranda lens reversed, and make up an adapter to the Nikon body.) I played with the Miranda lens (reversed), bellows and slide holder for a little, but couldn't remember how it was set up in the past.

CAN you reverse a Nikon lens? I have a 35mm 2.8g that could be reversed. Have to figure out the tubes needed.

Thanks for the help guys,

Alan

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

See if the Fotodiox Miranda lens to Nikon adapter will let you attach your Miranda bellows to your Nikon body. If you still have your Miranda lenses you should be good to go.


Jerry

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Wow! What a discovery! Thanks for the reply. I never dreamed there was a lens adapter.

I have a lot of fast Miranda lenses, and I'd love to try some of my long lenses on my D3300 body, even if I'd have to work in manual. (film was always manual anyway!)

And if I can hook up my Miranda bellows, well, that would be great! I also have reversing rings, extension tubes, automatic extension tubes, etc.

Thanks,

Alan

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

OOPS!

I corresponded with Fotodiox:

I see "-Not compatible with Nikon APS system- " on the compatibility chart.

And got this reply:

That is because it has a corrective glass for a full frame camera and will not work with APS-C camera

Alan

Leonb Loc: NYC

Alan, I think that you should buy a 40MM Nikon macro lens as this would work quite well with the setup that you are planning to do your copying in. The lens is only $200 + and you can't beat the quality for that price. I have copied nearly 300 slides using a 3 tripod setup. One tripod for the camera (I used both the D7000 and the D 600). The second tripod for the copier, and the third for the flash. You might get away with other light sources if you do not have the flash, but that is purely up to you. Once you get the setup -up and running you can get the time for copying each slide down to 10-12 seconds. Any questions?
Leon

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Hi Leon,
Sounds like a good plan. I have a 35mm, so my plan was to get a little longer lens that was also good for portrait. 60mm work? I think I need an extension in the slide holder for that lens. More thought there.

You're using FX cameras(?), my D3300 is DX, of course.

I have an SB700 flash, as well as a couple of tripods and a light stand, so covered there.

Thanks,
Alan

Blasthoff Loc: Life halved NY and IN

Why all the "Rube Goldberg?

Although I haven't done it, it seems to me all you need is a spare tripod, an inexpensive sliding rail (you can get cheap plastic ones used for Macro on ebay) and rig up a simple means of holding a slide to something mounted to the rail. OR, you could put the camera on the sliding rail and use a "fixed" mount for the slide. Just adjust position and distance to fill the frame in camera, PROBLEM SOLVED. You can then place any sort of diffusion material at any out of focus distance behind the slide to be copied and use any light or flash behind it for perfect even illumination. Oh, and by the way, it is best to use a good macro lens that is corrected to have a flat field even focus. By the way, the 55mm or 60mm Micro Nikkor is also about the perfect portrait focal length for a DX camera. In fact, I use a MF 55mm Micro Nikkor myself as my DX camera replacement for the 85mm & 100mm I used to use for 35mm FF film portraits. The 105mm will make fine portraits except that the working distance you need WILL quite often be a frustrating problem with informal portraits in confined places with a DX camera.

Am I missing something?

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Thanks for the comments.
I hear what you're saying. I'm torn between 60mm and 105mm. Portrait vs Macro vs slide copy needs.

I can easily machine up an "optical bench" (slab of aluminum drilled and tapped for threads, plus adjustable 1/4"-20 standoffs). so setup is no problem.

I've read that the 60mm is a little close for "serious" macro work, but then I'm not THAT serious.

Still thinking.

Alan