Recommended Macro Zoom lens for 35 mm Slides copying: I would like to photocopy my old film slides. I would like to capture the film only. The method I'm using is wasting too many...

stanlittle Loc: Oakland, Arkansas

I would like to photocopy my old film slides.

I would like to capture the film only. The method I'm using is wasting too many megapixels.

What (affordable, under $200) macro auto focus lens would focus just on the film?

My homemade gadget

wasted megapixels

What I am left with after cropping

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Your idea is not bad. What's bad about it? You mean negatives don't you? I'd just modify your idea a little so that you can capture the whole negative and don't waste any pixels.

stanlittle Loc: Oakland, Arkansas

I cannot bring the slide / negative close enough to the camera and still be able to focus to capture the film only. This is why I was asking about a macro zoom lens.

djenrette Loc: Philadelphia

There are several choices, but for a DX camera Nikon makes a 40mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor that works well with a simple screw-on slide copy attachment. It is called the ES-1, screws on a 52mm thread, and you push slides or film strips into it and fill the whole frame. I don't know if Nikon still makes it, but I wouldn't trade mine considering all the slides and film I still have to copy.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

stanlittle wrote:

I would like to photocopy my old film slides.

I would like to capture the film only. The method I'm using is wasting too many megapixels.

What (affordable, under $200) macro auto focus lens would focus just on the film?

Why use a lens at all?
There are lots of slide duplicators out there that are a "T" mount design. You simply attach them to your particular body via the correct T-mount, insert your slide, focus the duplicator via its extension focusing, and shoot the image.
These can be had for less than $50 and work great. I have one that is over 30 years old and still use it on my DSLRs from time to time.

stanlittle Loc: Oakland, Arkansas

This is why I love this forum. I am such an amateur, I try every trick my mind can come up with, when there are simple answers right here.

Thank you.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

stanlittle wrote:

I would like to photocopy my old film slides.

I would like to capture the film only. The method I'm using is wasting too many megapixels.

What (affordable, under $200) macro auto focus lens would focus just on the film?

Have you considered extension tubes? Auto focus and TTL metering should not really be necessary for slide copying. A manual tube set is $20 at B&H.

stanlittle Loc: Oakland, Arkansas

I made an extension tube using a body cap with a hole drilled through it. I put it in one end of a 2" rubber PVC cuppler. I inserted an old Minolta 50mm prime in the other end. It's a bit too powerful as it will only focus on a small portion of the slide.

lbrandt79 Loc: League City, Tx.

stanlittle wrote:

I would like to photocopy my old film slides.

I would like to capture the film only. The method I'm using is wasting too many megapixels.

What (affordable, under $200) macro auto focus lens would focus just on the film?

Have you considered a service to scan them for you. I just had 680 negatives done for less than 200$ from Scan Cafe and they did a great job, have had previously about 500 slides, they are reasonable, it takes about 6 weeks but I found it was well worth it. I think most of us that have negatives and slides that we want scanned will only do it once anyway. I have a nice Epson Scanner that I now use rarely.

Bill gomberg

Good advice .
' Nuff said .

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

I had a lot of slides from when I was overseas and purchased a scanner that would accommodate slides. It worked perfectly.

lbrandt79 Loc: League City, Tx.

02Nomad wrote:

I had a lot of slides from when I was overseas and purchased a scanner that would accommodate slides. It worked perfectly.

I also did the same thing, have an Epson and have been very pleased with it. The downside is the time it takes and that it is going to be a one time scan usually and now I have a Scanner that I rarely use.
And...the same slides and negatives I had scanned with my Epson, I sent them to Scan Cafe also and they were much better. If I had it to do over, I would have put the bucks I put into my scanner into this service.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

stanlittle wrote:

I made an extension tube using a body cap with a hole drilled through it. I put it in one end of a 2" rubber PVC cuppler. I inserted an old Minolta 50mm prime in the other end. It's a bit too powerful as it will only focus on a small portion of the slide.

Since you said you were using a zoom lens, I was talking about extension tubes for it. Your homemade tube is obviously too long for the 50mm lens.

Superman6869 Loc: Iowa

Just use printer, that has the feature. Spend less. And you can go it for someone else and make money.. If wanted to.

Superman6869 Loc: Iowa

@02Nomad :thumbup: :thumbup: