Need Nikon/alternative copy stand setup for once in a lifetime project.

Because of shipping weight the Leitz stand is for local pickup, but that was the first actual copystand to come up in my eBay search.

There are lots of study old "Spiratone" and other copystands around with flexible, adjustable mounts. The price new was usually under $70 way back when, and those regularly turn up. Few of the ones I've seen on local or other lists cost more than that today used. A cheaper way to ship them is to discard the footboard and make a new one for the post when it arrives.

Though out of production, the 2 or 4 light Manfrotto Mini Repro stands are sturdy and not overly complicated. I use one to copy 120 b&w negs on a light box. No complaints.

Some enlargers, I suspect mostly the lower priced ones, are designed to convert to a copy stand.

 

Specifically, they have the usual 1/4-20 thread built-in.

 

What they don't have that good copy stand have is built-in lights.

 

Usual coy stands I know have two lights, one on either side, which makes somewhat even illumination across the stand.

 

But two appropriate lamp holders with lamps probably work fine, too.

What they don't have that good copy stand have is built-in lights.

 

A couple of goose-necked desk lamps, even with ordinary bulbs, will work better than the rigid bar type of lights often built-in.

 

As for the rig, the task is essentially the same as slide copying, except that the scale is different; and light is under the slide and over a larger opaque subject.

Spiratone copy stand with accessories for slide copying..

I had one of those Spiratone copy stands with the lights. It was great and easy to use.

On my last move I gave it to Godwill along with other things I wanted to get rid of.

 

 

http://jdainis.com/copystand.jpg

Tethering: AFAIK Adobe only support Leica M (240) & Canikon cameras. Only one of the latter brands shoots without memory card straight into Lightroom, but a card is less than $20...

My Fujis came with a "collect images via WLAN" software but nothing promising on (PC!) screen live view.

Shooting tethered with Olympus seems an option according to Joe Edelman (prolific educator type on YouTube) but requires Olympus software + Capture One running simultaneously.

Copy stands: PZO sold a separate part to convert their enlarger columns. - The Leitz thing JDM linked is an inspiring example for a DIY conversion of an enlarger.

Light: I firmly recommend getting hold of a used copy of "light science and magic" practising with whatever might be at hand and breaking out of the 45° from two sides print reproduction lighting scheme.

"Light: I firmly recommend getting hold of a used copy of "light science and magic" practising with whatever might be at hand and breaking out of the 45° from two sides print reproduction lighting scheme."

I totally agree with Jochen. Even lighting is needed when copying photographs or documents. For three dimensional objects such as rocks I would simply use natural lighting from a window on one side and a white reflector card on the opposite side for fill.