Valoi Camera Scanning System

[Ed_Ingold]

I recently popped for a camera scanning system by startup company Valoi (Finland). There are two systems. One is the Valoi Easy35, which attaches to a macro lens with metal tubes. The light (LED) is built-in, and has adjustable color and level controls. At present, only mounted 35mm slides and film strips can be used. Although manual, the system is very ergonomic and quick to use. The film gate has a unique "S" configuration, which keeps the film very flat in the image area. Valoi indicates a 120 version of the head is being developed.

The other system is called the Valoi 360 system, which is basically a copy stand with a sophisticated base, which can be used with all film formats, from half-frame to 4x5. There is a simple film transport mechanism for use with film strips. The base has a flat LED light source, also with color and level adjustments. It would be ideal for full-roll strip scanning, but works well even for strips of 4 or 6 (the longer, the better). 120 film, in strips of 3, is tricky, because the thin film base is difficult to push into position.

I have both systems, which I use with a Sony A7Riv and Sony 90/2.8 Macro lens. Throughput is 4-6 rolls per hour, without breaking a sweat. I use LightRoom and "NegtivePro" plugin for conversion. I attached a photo of my son using the Easy35 system, mounted on a Novoflex copy stand. The monitor is used to center the film and focus the camera accurately, an Atomos Shinobi 7 HDMI/SDI.

Edited May 28 by Ed_Ingold
Info on the monitor

[paddler4]

Interesting. I looked at their site, and the stuff looks very well made but pricey.

In addition to the "easy35", they sell an "easy35 slide holder" that the video says replaces the original holder in the easy35. They explain the benefits of the replacement but don't describe the original. Are you able to scan slides with the original holder?

[Ed_Ingold]

Cardboard mounts are a tight fit in the original Easy35. Plastic mounts load easily. In either case, you start them at a slight angle (tilted toward the camera). You can't grab them and pull them out. Instead you have to push them out with the next slide. You can remove the last slide by pushing it out a little from the input side with your finger or another slide.

I have a Nikon ES-1 (slides) and ES-2 (slides or film strip with holder). The Easy35 is easy to use, and does not require a holder for film strips. The entire assembly is much more rigid, and doesn't have a sliding tube for focusing. The built-in light is great for convenience and consistency. (I use a 4x6 LED light panel with the Nikon holders.)

The Easy35 is plastic, but 3D printed, accurate, and very rigid. The extension tubes are aluminum with 62mm filter threads. I bought a Pelican V200 Vault case with dividers to hold the entire kit securely (except for the copy stand). A piece of gripper cloth keeps the 360 film holder from sliding around.

Edited May 30 by Ed_Ingold

[paddler4]

Many thanks

[Ed_Ingold]

So far, I've scanned about 600 color negatives with this system. The superbly sharp Sony 90mm macro with a 60MP camera is grain-sharp throughout. NegativeLabPro is the best negative conversion program I've found. Once you have aligned and cropped the images, you can do the entire set as a batch. Each frame is analyzed and converted separately (and non-destructively).

[Ed_Ingold]

The Easy35 comes with a strip film adapter, which can be used with strips with 2 or more frames. This adapter snaps out of the Easy35 and can be replaced with a 35mm slide holder, which is an extra cost option.