Jesse, what lens do you use for copying negs ? Do you need any attachment ? Copy stand ?
Thanks,
First, a little background. I had considered buying a Flextight X5 at one time. However, I was concerned about the maintenance, the amount of time to scan, Hasselblad's future, and I was not sure there would be an improvement over using the Leica S. My suspicion that the Leica S would be just as good was based on the image quality and detail that I was already achieving in landscape and architecture prints. For example, I did a 2 meter by 1.33 meter print of the Monte Rosa Massif and Gorner Glacier in Switzerland, for a client. The Monte Rosa hut, which takes up about 2cm of the print can be clearly seen.
I then did some quick and dirty tests with Leica S and Summarit-S 70mm lens. At the time I had S24, S30, S70 and S180 lenses. The S70 provided the closest focus, but was clearly inadequate for this purpose. The result was good enough that I purchased the APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120 lens.
I do the negative copy work with the S120 lens. I use a tripod, with ballhead and nodal rail. I level the tripod, then the camera, which is pointing down. I level the LED panel as well. The emulsion is facing the camera. I had considered a copy stand, but decided that since I would also have to ensure alignment with it, that I may as well do it with a tripod. I have not completely ruled out a copy stand.
With this setup I completed a project of copying over 1,000 negatives in a little more than a week. The grain of the film can be seen in the files. 4X5 and 6x6 negatives reproduce superbly. 35mm is not as good because the 120 lens only goes to 1:2 reproduction.
Theoretically, a drum scan should be capable of more detail, however, once the grain is visible I do not expect more detail will make a difference in image quality. I intend to confirm this with a local lab that does drum scans.
With respect to reproducing the brightness range of the negative, I have not yet had a negative whose density range was beyond the latitude of the Leica S. The limiting factor, as in the darkroom, is the paper or other output medium.
It is a long answer, however, I wanted to communicate how I arrived at this method.
Regards,
Jesse