Automatic slide scanner with a DSLR and a slide projector for fast and easy scanning of mounted 35mm slides.
The system consists of several standard components that are tied together by an interface box and a Raspberry Pi with python control software. All hardware is lined up at an optical bench for optimal and parallax free transfers. Mounted 35mm slides are placed in a Kodak Slide tray and the number of slides is selected at the touch screen. The chosen number of slides are then scanned automatically whereafter the projector is reset
For those who have the basic components in their studio, it is only necessary to add the interface board and software in order to get started if you own a RPi, digital camera, slide projector, bellows and lens.
Complete system equipment list example (with Nikon DX camera)
- RPi4 with 3.5" TFT touch screen
- Control Software (slidescan.py)
- Easydaq USB4SRMxN Interface board in custom case
- Optical Bench (for Kodak S-AV 2050, see drawings)
- Kodak S-AV 2050 slide projector w. opal glass as heat filter
- Nikon D200 or similar DX camera
- Nikon PB-6 Bellows Focusing Unit
- Nikon BR-2A Reverse lens macro adapter ring
- Nikon 105 mm lens (reverse mounted)
- Nikon DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder
- Nikon EH-6 AC Adapter
- Nikon MC-22 Remote Cord with Banana Plugs
- 6P DIN slide projector remote cable
- USBA-USBB cable
- Image processing software such as Lightroom or Photoshop is recommended for scratch removal etc.
The optical bench is made of MDF wood as a combination of sandwiched 13mm and 22mm pieces. All electronics are mounted on top of the bottom plate besides the bellows in order to make the unit portable although it is heavy. This ensures that line up is unaffected by transport or earthquakes.