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Digital
storage of film proofs with a Copy Box
OK - OK , You caught me ! This isn't a Kiev60 help tip , everyone can
use this great idea.
But when I came across this idea I just knew that It had to be included
here on these pages as it can really help save time and frustration.
It has happened to me a little too often recently, going through my
boxes of negatives trying to find a certain shot and I come across
damaged negatives.
Damaged from incorrect storage and too much handling.
Theres no one else to blame as I am totally disorganized , with no real
filing system for my neg's at all.
I just had to do something that solved this over handling issue.
A way to go through my proofs without damaging the film combined with a
real filing system.
Now not all my films have been printed onto paper and I still have a
huge boxfull of older 35mm negatives as well.
What to do with them ?
I do not own a negative scanner and I'me not inclined to spend money to
get them scanned professionlly unless it was to make a real print.
So enter the idea of a budget neg scanner. :-)
My digital camera has a fairly ok sort of macro mode so the plan was to
take pictures of the negative and store those on the PC in a way that
allows easy browsing and cataloging.
After a little experimenting I decided to make a little copying box for
this job.
My digital cameras macro is at its sharpest at around 20cm from the
lens , so a
box of this size would be , most suitable.
Of course to justify the expense of such a large investment I had to
eat ALL of the biscuits myself. SORRY !
The box is about 190mm x 130mm x 55mm in size.
220mm x 150 x 60mm would have been the best and perhaps later I may
make one this size as it suits MY digital camera and the 120 film
better.
On one end the widest flaps were folded over and taped down and the
smaller flaps are taped in their normal position.
Surprisingly the box keeps its shape well and even though it is just
thin cardboard it should be quite durable.
This end will be where the negative will be taped down for copying.
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