Features
-
High CRI of 95 to ensure accurate color reproduction
5.5x7.0 inch light area
Nearly 9.5x brighter than many competing brands at given price point
High quality metal construction
Includes fiber reinforced plate for mounting with Pro Mount MK2 for a seamless design
Product Details
Introducing The Negative Supply Light Source Basic & Light Source Pro models, specially designed for camera scanning
Negative Supply exists to create tools for film photographers around the world that want to spend more time photographing and less time scanning. Their products allow you to digitize negatives using your digital camera and a macro lens in as little as 5 minutes (or less) with tools you may already have.
Good scans start with good light. While most of the systems currently on the market work OK, Negative Supply wanted to create something specifically for the camera scanning community. With a high CRI and brighter bulbs, the Negative Supply 5x7 Light Source Pro makes scanning film with a digital camera easy and straight forward. Additionally, with an aluminum frame and high end components, it fits within the Negative Supply design ethos.
HIGH CRI, ACCURATE COLOR
Accurate color starts with full spectrum light. The Light Source Pro options have all been designed using the latest LED bulbs with either 95 or 99 CRI, this allows for more accurate and true to life colors when capturing slide or negative film.
SUPER BRIGHT LIGHT FOR FAST CAPTURE
A brighter light source allows for higher shutter speeds and sharper images, and additionally allows faster workflows, so you can spend more time taking photos, and less time scanning. The Light Source Pro options are up to 9.5x brighter than many competing options.
2 Unique Designs:
![]()
Brighter And Better Light For Camera Scanning
Light Source Pro (95 CRI edition), benefits from having a solid construction of featuring aluminum framing and black anodized hardware. This light table is built to last, and we look forward to this becoming an integral tool for Negative Supply users across the globe! The Light Source Pro series includes mounting brackets for solid positioning, marrying perfectly with our Pro Mount MK2 or used on its own with a 35mm Film Carrier MK1 or Film Carrier 120.
Features
- High CRI of 95 to ensure accurate color reproduction
- 5.5x7.5 inch light area
- Nearly 9.5x brighter than many competing brands
- High quality metal construction
- Includes metal plate for mounting with Pro Mount MK2
- Includes international power supply cord
LIGHT SOURCE PRO - 99 CRI
UP TO 5X7 & 8X10 FILM
Brighter, Better and Bigger Light For Camera Scanning Up to 8x10 Film
Light Source Pro (99 CRI edition) is the most advanced light source for camera scanning, with direct diffusion, two sizes for film up to 5x7 or 8x10. The Light Source Pro has been compared to others on the market, and verified first hand using measurement tools that the LEDs are capable of outputting 99 CRI. The Light Source Pro series includes mounting brackets for solid positioning, marrying perfectly with our Pro Mount MK2 or used on it’s own with a 35mm Film Carrier MK1 or Film Carrier 120.
Features
- High CRI of 99 for accurate color reproduction and fidelity
- Ideal for archival work, professional users, and photographic labs
- 5.5x7.5 - 9.5x11.5 inch light area suitable for up to 8x10 film
- Nearly 9.5x brighter than many competing brands
- High quality metal construction
- Includes metal plate for mounting with Pro Mount MK2
- Includes international power supply cord
Comparisons:
![]()
![]()
In House Testing:
Light Source Pro achieving 99 CRI, and Light Source Basic with 95 CRI
When compared to a currently available light source from another manufacturer, The Light Source Pro outputs more consistent color through all channels, while our Entry light source matches or exceeds others in all areas.
Recommended Accessories:
A negative holder keeps the film in place for image capture. The film needs to be completely flat for sharp photos. This is the key to good camera scans. It holds your precious film flat and safe. Spare no expense.
Our favorite option for a camera stand is something you already own, like an old enlarger with an adapter plate, or a sturdy tripod with an invertible column so you can mount your camera underneath. However, if you must purchase something, Negative Supply has created the Pro Riser. This compact camera stand works best with mirrorless and midsized DSLR cameras and features lead-screw height adjustment for quickly and easily raising and lowering. Because of this adjustment option, it is impossible for your camera to “fall” or “descend uncontrollably” into your workpiece.
Camera & Lens
Camera Body
Just about any semi-modern interchangeable camera will work great for camera scanning. There are many mirrorless or DSLR options to choose from, with the most convenient offering tethered live view capture to your computer. The Canon T2i is probably the cheapest option out there with tethering and large lens selection, and new cameras like the Sony A7 series are now very affordable with great IQ. High end setups may even use the new full frame Panasonic mirrorless cameras with pixel stitching.
Macro Lens
For camera scanning, the one real requirement is that your lens focuses close enough to capture the entire frame, without having to digitally crop. For full frame cameras and capturing 35mm film, the term 1:1 designates a lens that will reproduce the 35mm frame exactly onto the full frame digital sensor. With crop bodies, 1:1 focus even closer. There are also options to use extension tubes for older macro lenses. We have had excellent results with an inexpensive Nikon 55mm macro from the film days, using a simple extension tube to get 1:1 on our full frame bodies. Higher end, yet affordable options include the excellent Sigma 70mm ART Macro. The Outside of reproduction factor (1:1), also look out for lenses that are sharp, have good color reproduction, limit internal reflections (modern coatings), and have very little vignetting. Finally, it’s generally best to use your lens stopped down 2-3 from wide open, as this gives a good combination between depth of field and brightness.
Software for Negative Conversion
There are a few plugins and standalone programs for converting negatives into positives. Some older and some newer, all of them try to harness the color science based in darkroom paper to various degrees. Many professional scanners have used LaserSoft applications or some proprietary/built-in software to emulate darkroom printing. After all, even a professional lab scanner is simply a digital camera and a light source. The applications below do the same thing for converting negatives captured with you digital camera rather than a digital camera built into a scanner. We recommend choosing the one that best suits your workflow.
