DIY Copy Stand

The world of DSRL/Mirrorless film scanning is expensive one of the top expenses can be buying a copy stand. This DIY Copy stand can save you hundreds of dollars, making it easier to invest in our items like lenses, DSLR scanning masks, and more. This setup was under $65 which is the perfect budget for a starter copy stand.

Items showed in Video

SmallRig Super Camera Clamp Mount

FOTYRIG Camera Level

KitchenAid Classic Rubberwood Cutting Board

1/2 in. FPT Black Iron FPT Floor Flange

1/2 in. x 18 in. Galvanized Steel Pipe

Shutter Release cable.

Camera Used:
Camera: Canon 6D
Lens: 17-40mm EF
Mic: Rode VideoMic GO II

[andydreadsbmx]

This is actually a solid idea, the removable pipe is handy. I have been using a tripod and I'm really digging this method without breaking the bank.

[sushi_donut]

Just FYI for anyone scanning 4x5 on full-frame w/ 90mm macro: You will need 28-30in to cover the negative 😁 Really dope idea, Eric! Thank you for sharing 💪

[mgman]

I just built one and works great I bought a 2x2 3/4 plywood, the flange and an 18" pipe at home Depot for $40 and had the cut down to 18x24 the same size as my mat.
I bought a used super clamp and neg carrier off eBay the whole cost was $90
Thanks for the idea

[WeTheDylan]

Thank you so much man, made it this afternoon, turned out mint. Great design. No more hours spent setting up the cantilevered tripod to get the right height. My back also thanks you.

[Jeff-mxj]

I went to Lowe’s and found a very solid cutting board there. Instead of steel gas or galvanized pipe, I went with a piece of 1” Structural Pipe and the accompanying base fitting as well as an end plug. It looks much better. I also put some Scotch no-slip pads on the bottom of the board as well as on the bottom of my light box to keep everything from slipping. The pipe is 36” but can be cut down with a hack saw or grinder.

[drawshot]

Great solution. I've been gathering some of the equipment necessary to digitize some of my old negatives, and I might make my own copy stand like you did.

[glennnakamichi]

Great video! What you are actually using is “black pipe” which is used for gas. This is a good choice for this project. Galvanized pipe is used for water and is coated with zinc which makes it silver in color. The zinc coating makes it resistant to rust. Galvanized pipe is more expensive.

[kangamangus]

Excellent video. I think I'll just mount this straight onto my cheap ikea desk

[lilkngstr]

Mine is similar to yours. I used a monitor stand that attaches to the desk and bolted a clamp onto it to hold the camera.

[slothsarecool]

I gave up on camera scanning for night photos, it was so hard to get good blacks (with my setup at least)

[eduardojoachim]

Thank for sharing this ideal. Would you mind advising model número or referente for the smallrig clamp/ball head assembleia? The one I finde in my área are not recommended by sellers to firmly holding a DSLR câmera.

[BruceKorb]

A couple of points:
1. don't snug any of the screws until you have them all in place. I noticed you struggling a bit.
2. If the cutting board wood has all the strips running in one direction, it'd be good to screw and glue some strips on the bottom side crossways to the alignment on the board. You want to prevent warping.

[ChefAlexSocci]

Tysm for making this video. Ive been thinking about making one of these for years. Do you have any recommendations for a camera for scanning under $300?

[adolfocelso]

Thank you so much for sharing such precious knowledge! Why scan negatives with the macro lens? What would be the best lens for scanning photographs?

[JS-wzkm]

I like your idea, I think I will try to make one. I use this to copy old family photos and use a black acrylic as a background to increase contract. I'm adding no-glare acrylic glass to flatten curled images and two led lights on stands. I tried a few negatives, but converting them to positives has been more of a challenge than I anticipated. What light table and negative holder are you using?

[esotericist]

i picked up a durst c35 enlarger + a bunch of other darkroom bitz, for £20 - and bought a DSLR clamp for £6 and a spirit level thing.

What lens is going to be berst for scanning both 35mm and 120, using a nikon d5200 (DX). Thanks.

[seconds]

I can't imagine how you attached it😢

[kevindederichs]

which lightpanal did you used and which "Filmholder" you used for it?

[nikkiwinston]

what camera do you have? will you make a scanning tutorial?

[chromakeyblue]

Eric, great idea. Which lens are you using and camera?