When I reviewed the Epson Perfection 3200 scanner last year I commented on the fact that the 120 holder would only allow; two 6x45, one 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 frame to be scanned at a time. The Perfection 4870 scanner has an improved 120 holder which will allow three strips of 120 film to be preloaded. The frame size has been increased to accommodate 6x12 format negatives, but it still only allows; two 6x45, one 6x6, 6x7, 6x9 and 6x12 to be scanned. This should do for most single shot scans, but if you want to scan in a whole strip of film then your stuck, unless you lay the film on the glass platen - not ideal.

Doug Fisher put his thinking cap on and not only designed but also manufactured a medium format film holder, the MF Film Holder™. The holder is a solid construction made from 4mm thick "matte finish plastic", with a single film channel and three T-Lock film holders.

The film channel is within ANSI width standards, although I found there was a bit too much slack on the sides of some films. The length of the opening (202mm) allows a strip of; four 6x45, three 6x6, two 6x7, two 6x9 or one 6x12 frame to be scanned. I would have like the opening to be increased to 220mm, this would allow three 6x7 frames to be scanned (my lab cuts 6x7 film into three strips of three and one of four). This holder was originally designed for the Perfection 3200, but now the 4870 has come onto the scene with a larger TPU, I would hope to see a modified holder.

Doug's MF Film Holder™ on the Epson Perfection 4870
The T-Lock bars in position	A tight fit now........

The film is held flat by Doug's T-Lock bars, these should be positioned between the frames of each shot. Fitting the T Locks is simple, push the small bars down and apply a slight pressure, this keeps them firmly in place. The concept is simple, but a couple of problems spring to mind. The T-Locks are small and are not fixed to the holder, this means they could be misplaced at some stage. I would have preferred a holder with no removable parts. Although the T-Locks are firm now, they are going to become subject to wear, and will get looser as time goes on. Although the holder is rigid, on a couple of occasions when I picked it up by the recessed corner, the T-Locks fell out. There is a slight amount of give in the holder which can cause the bars to slip.

For actual scanning, the holder placed the film well within the scanners optimum focus area and it produced some very sharp scans. The T-Locks in between each frame didn't cast any shadows and didn't cause problems when scanning with Digital ICE.

The complete image, area in circle used for sharpness test
Scan made with the Epson 120 holder	Scan using Doug's MF Film Holder
Excellent film flatness enables quality scans and prints to be made (section of a 10x8 print)

Verdict.

Doug Fisher has designed an excellent product, I tested the holder against several scans I made with the supplied Epson 120 holder and on every occasion Doug's MF Film Holder produced a sharper scan. Now if Doug can make a 220mm length aperture, and re-design the T-Locks he will have every Epson owner knocking at his door.

A great product well worth the asking price of $24.95. Purchase via Doug's web site.

Doug has excellent instructions on using the MF Film Holder, these can be found at MF Film Holder

© Vincent Oliver 2004 www.photo-i.co.uk
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