How To Copy 35mm Film with DSLR Camera

Updated 30/08/2010 – I have now written my step by step guide on scanning negative film

Updated 16/09/2010 – Please see my colour and black and white negative copy results pages

How to get film into lightroom?

I describe how to incorporate film into a digital workflow

Last year I decided to experiment with a film camera and purchased a Nikon FM3a. The camera produces excellent results, but there is the problem of incorporating the film images into my otherwise completely digital workflow.

After googling the issue which many other film photographers have faced I read several web articles about using Digital SLRs to capture developed film, utilising macro lenses. I own a Nikkor 105mm 2.8 Micro lens and a Nikon D300, so I set about photographing my 35mm films so that I could store them with the remainder of my digital workflow.
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Posted in Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Full Frame, Lenses, Lightroom, Nikon Nikkor, SLR, Software | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Mac Photo File Management

OS X Finder Structure

The Folder Structure I Use

Managing image files can be a tricky affair. Where do I store my current working copies? Where do I store my photos from two years ago? Do I store my JPG and RAW files separately or together? Do I allow my image management software decide where to store my images?

Image file management is platform independent.  Windows or Mac users can follow the same basic principles to keep their files in good order and retraceable.  I will give you my take on image file management:
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Posted in Apple, Software | Leave a comment

Lightroom 3 Mini Review

Lightroom3 ScreenshotLightroom 3 represents the most significant update to Adobe’s photo management and processing tool. Although the list of updates appears to be a set of incremental improvements, Lightroom 3 is much improved offering than it’s predecessors.
The updates includes the new and improved features:

  1. New RAW conversion engine (same as ACR 6 for Photoshop)
  2. Incredible Noise Reduction features
  3. Improved Non-destructive editing
  4. 64-bit compatibility
  5. Lens corrections
  6. Flickr integration
  7. Improved Image watermarking
  8. Improved curves tool
  9. Tethered shooting (currently limited to selected Canon and Nikon DSLRs)
  10. Support for video files (organization and tagging only – not editing)
  11. Perspective correction adjustments
  12. Film grain simulation filter
  13. Comprehensive importing, organization and exporting, with multiple output options (DNG, TIFF, JPEG)
  14. Easy synchronization of adjustments across multiple images
  15. Offline library management (i.e. if your images are stored on an offline external drive)
  16. Photoshop integration

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Posted in Adobe, Lightroom, Software, Zoner | Leave a comment

Zoner Free – The Lightroom / Aperture Alternative

I have recently discovered a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom or Apple’s Aperture, Zoner Free.

I don’t know about you, but one of the biggest headaches created by taking hundreds of photos over a weekend is sorting out the good from the bad during the following week! Zoner Free; from Zoner; provides all the organisational functionality that Adobe and Apple’s offerings provide at no charge.

Zoner Free allows one to automatically perform the usual photo touch-ups such as red eye and colour balance correction, as well as containing more advanced features such as GPS tagging of photos taken with non-GPS enabled cameras and producing 3D images.

When you are happy with your photos you can either leave it at that as I normally do! Or create a web gallery, upload to Flickr or Facebook.

If you’re needs are fairly simple, Zoner Free is a very affordable (free!) way into professional style bulk photo management. For those with more complex needs, Zoner Free may better serve as a testing package prior to ordering one of Zoner’s more feature rich non-free products, such as the home and professional editions; which still represent excellent value and more complete functionality when compared against the Lightroom and Aperture.

Click the image below to go to Zoner’s site.
Screengrab of Zoner in Action

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Posted in Adobe, Aperture, Apple, Free, Lightroom, Software, Zoner | Leave a comment

Canon EF-S 18-200mm IS

Please find below a compilation of my favourite reviews of the all in one 18-200mm EF-S IS wide angle to telephoto lens for APS-C cameras.

Lots of people seem to be looking for information on Canon Lenses – and I’m only too pleased to help!

Canon EF-S 18-200mm IS Review Ken has written an informative and fun review of the Canon super do-it-all x1.6 camera lens.
Click the link to the left for more…….

DP Review Canon EF-S 18-200m IS DP Review has written a very thorough review of the Canon EF-S 18-200mm Lens. This review includes technically asssessed sample images.
Click the link to the left for the full report….

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Posted in Canon, Lenses | Leave a comment

Bruce Percy’s New eBook

Bruce Percys Nocturne Front CoverBruce Percy has released new ebooks entitiled ‘Nocturne’ and ‘Simplifying Composition’. These books are popular, follow the link on the left to Bruce’s store

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Posted in ebooks | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm DP Review has written a detailed review of the Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4-5.6 lens for the new Micro Four Thirds format cameras.
Follow the link to the left for the full review……

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Posted in Lenses, Micro Four Thirds | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Canon Powershot S90 Review

Canon S90 Review has posted a review of the Canon Powershot S90. This little camera has been reported with high regard recently.
Follow the link for the complete review…..

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Posted in Canon, Compact, Digital Cameras | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Nikon 105mm AF-D Lens Review

Nikon 105mm MicroI recently purchased a second hand Nikon 105mm AF-D Micro lens.

Check out the Bay Images Blog for a great review of the lens.

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Posted in Lenses, Nikon Nikkor | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment