Switching to the Nikon Z7II for DSLR Film Scanning
Sometimes the gear we start with isn’t the gear we end up with. When I first built my DSLR film scanning setup, I was using a Canon EOS M6 Mark II paired with a Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Ai-S Micro-Nikkor lens, PK-13 extension tube, and an F-to-EOS M adapter. It was a compact, capable setup that worked well for my first scans.
But as my photography business began to grow, I needed a more versatile camera — one that could handle both my daily work and my film scanning workflow. That’s when I made the jump to a Nikon Z7II.
What Changed
The lens stayed the same — the Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Ai-S Micro-Nikkor with PK-13 extension tube — but the adapter changed to a Nikon F to Nikon Z adapter to mount directly to the new body.
The Z7II brought a few notable upgrades:
Higher resolution — 45.7 megapixels meant larger, more detailed files that could handle bigger prints and more aggressive crops.
Lower native ISO — starting at ISO 64 helped reduce digital noise and preserve the natural grain of the film.
Pros
Bigger files, more detail — a huge advantage when archiving negatives for long-term use.
Cleaner scans at low ISO — especially noticeable with fine-grain films.
Dual-purpose investment — one camera for both professional shoots and film scanning, reducing gear redundancy.
Cons
Weight — the Z7II is noticeably heavier than the M6 Mark II. On my DIY copy stand, that extra weight introduced a slight flex in the vertical support. While it’s not enough to ruin scans, it’s something I have to watch for when making micro-adjustments.
No permanent setup — because I use the Z7II for my daily work, I can’t leave it permanently mounted to the copy stand. Every scanning session starts with reattaching, rebalancing, and refocusing the setup.
The Workflow
Aside from swapping the adapter and rebalancing the setup, my scanning workflow stayed the same:
Mount the camera on the macro rail.
Align the negative in the holder.
Adjust focus manually.
Capture RAW files for conversion later in Negative Lab Pro.
The real difference comes in the output quality. While the EOS M6 Mark II was capable, the Z7II feels like it unlocks the full potential of the lens, the copy stand, and the entire scanning process.
What’s Next
Next up: the 3D printed holders start to show their limits, and I begin exploring more robust options — including commercial film holders from Negative Supply.
See you in Post #5!
— Steven
Hollyridge Photography
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