KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
I came across a Bowens Illumitran 3 Slide Duplicator, and I'd like to use my Nikon D3300 to copy 60mm film and 35mm slides with it.
It has a bellows, but as I have a 60mm Nikon Macro 2.8G lens, Maybe I don't need it? I think I can just pull it off, and make up a bracket to hold the camera.
Any thoughts?
I use my Nikon or Rodenstock enlarger lenses on my Bowens Illumitran.Works OK for me.
KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
Pablo8 wrote:
I use my Nikon or Rodenstock enlarger lenses on my Bowens Illumitran.Works OK for me.
I have El Nikkor 50mm and 85mm enlarger lens. So I guess I need an adapter?
I was thinking I would use the new (to me) 60mm Nikon Macro lens I just bought.
KM6VV wrote:
I have El Nikkor 50mm and 85mm enlarger lens. So I guess I need an adapter?
I was thinking I would use the new (to me) 60mm Nikon Macro lens I just bought.
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I use the bellows as part of the construction of the Illumitran.
The El Nikkor lenses screw into the plate which fits at the bottom of the bellows. I think it is 39mm thread, and tapered edges to the plate which is held in place with a small screw in the bellows unit. A similar plate holds the camera at the top of the bellows.
KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
Pablo8 wrote:
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I use the bellows as part of the construction of the Illumitran.
The El Nikkor lenses screw into the plate which fits at the bottom of the bellows. I think it is 39mm thread, and tapered edges to the plate which is held in place with a small screw in the bellows unit. A similar plate holds the camera at the top of the bellows.
Thanks,
I'll find out what plates will be on my Illumitran.
KM6VV wrote:
Thanks,
I'll find out what plates will be on my Illumitran.
If your bellows has an M39 lens flange, you can use an M39 T2 adapter and T2 to Nikon flange to mount your 60mm Micro-Nikkor.
KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
RWR wrote:
If your bellows has an M39 lens flange, you can use an M39 T2 adapter and T2 to Nikon flange to mount your 60mm Micro-Nikkor.
I haven't seen the mount yet, the Illumitran is to be delivered Wednesday, March 2nd.
I think my 50 & 80mm El-Nikkor enlarger lenses will fit. The camera board will be another matter.
KM6VV wrote:
I haven't seen the mount yet, the Illumitran is to be delivered Wednesday, March 2nd.
I think my 50 & 80mm El-Nikkor enlarger lenses will fit. The camera board will be another matter.
I assumed you had it in hand. No telling what the previous owner used. You can always ask more questions if you get stumped. One thing, though. I just noticed that your Mircro-Nikkor is a g lens - bummer if you want to use the bellows. Your El-Nikkors should be easy to mount. Let us know when the unit arrives.
KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
RWR wrote:
I assumed you had it in hand. No telling what the previous owner used. You can always ask more questions if you get stumped. One thing, though. I just noticed that your Mircro-Nikkor is a g lens - bummer if you want to use the bellows. Your El-Nikkors should be easy to mount. Let us know when the unit arrives.
Oh yeah, the 2.8G lens will need the contacts. But for simple copy work of a 60mm x 60mm film, I can just use the 60mm lens about 8" away from the film. I would like to try the El-Nikkors as well.
Previous owner had little or no idea what he had.
Lots to play with!
Thanks!
KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
Well, I got the Illumitran today. As advertised, with a contrast control unit.
I need slide holders for 35mm, and 120mm roll film.
There are no camera or lens adapter rings, although at this time, I think I just want to use my 60mm Macro lens. I'm also missing the opal filter.
The flash and model lights are working, and so is the CC flash. I don't have conventional sync cord, so I tried an acorn slave trigger. I got them to flash, although I'm not sure they were in sync.
Without a slide holder, and just with the camera hand held over the copy stand (I need to make up a bracket), I couldn't get any kind of exposure (blown out). Then I realized, no iTTL! I'll have to work the exposure out in manual.
So I have some parts to buy, maybe a bracket or two to make.
KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
Next question is about the contrast control unit. I have one, and it appears to be functional. I understand it's use in pre-flashing film to reduce contrast. Does this work for digital?
I have a couple of theses units. The Contrast control unit will work with digital, but you do have digital controls now and may not need it.
The D800 with it's 36 megapixels will out perform the Nikon LS4000. I know because I had the Nikon scanner.
The micro nikkor is a good choice as are enlarging lenses.
As the Illumnitran was built for slow ISO [6] slide duping films you will need to throttle back the light output to prevent over exposure.ND filters or polarizers will do the trick. White lighting plastic works if the original [Opal] plexi-glass is missing.
What I love about these units is their speed of operation. One can copy a hundred slides in an hour. Try that with a scanner. Dedicated slide scanners will take many more hours to do 100 slides. Also edge to middle sharpness was never good with the Cool Scans. Here the illumnitran shines if your camera skills are up to the task as you the operator have manual control...
KM6VV
Loc: Central Coast, CA
Thanks for the reply. I'll look for the white plastic, better then having to order the opal glass. I do have polarizers, can they be placed below the slide?
As I don't have the lens and body adapter rings any way, and will be using a macro lens, I'm thinking about adapting a stepper motor driven carriage to the Illumitran. Stuff I already have. Maybe make something that would also double as a Stackshot.
Yes you can put the polarizers below the slide and it is best to put it below the 3 inch square lighting plastic as well. But your pola is most likely round.
Also if you can find a set of Ilford's 3 inch Cibachrome filters it is wise to use the UV filter from the package.
BTW Bowens never used the flashed opal glass...only white perplex. The nice thing about the perplex is that scratches can be polished out from plastic, and if you drop it it won't break!
Which adapter rings do you need? Nikon? I was given 36 various assorted Illumitran body and lens adapters plus a complete unit to see if I could sell them.
If any one needs something i can put a list together.
I was lucky enough to buy my used rig 36 years ago complete with all the film holders and the 4x5 inch mixing box, spare flash and modeling tubes.
Another thought,
I can supply photos and design dimensions for you to build your own film holders. I built a black mat board and foam core mounted slide holder that fits.
It took about 15 minutes.
One can build colour ICC profiles to help manage your colour management.
I also have all the original manuals and sales brochures that could be copied and provided in PDF form.
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