the "Essential Film Holder" - keep your negatives FLAT and no NEWTON RINGS!!

[@aaa0303a]

Great review - thanks. The EFH was my "lockdown project" and it's grown a little since late February 2020 when it was first put on sale. This is now the v3 product incorporating a few changes here and there, and it's now sold around 1,500 units with sales in 30+ countries. The comment about 120 film being a little tricky to get through the "far end slot" is very true, but easily solved. Rather than doing a square cut of your negs, cut at 10-20 degrees - just enough for one corner to engage and then the film will slide in pretty smoothly with no manual location being required. Slippery feet - agreed, though I use a tiny speck of 'Blu Tack' on my own unit (between the bottom of the foot and the light pad), and it stays perfectly still. TBH, I did go through testing out some rubberised feet, they were a little better, but not as good as the 'Blu Tack'! Oh, loved the comment about the website. It's entirely congruent with the concept of the product - 'Essential', not flashy, not over-promising, not misleading, no fancy multi-level basket, no lengthy checkout process...just the key things that you need to know. Overall, a very positive review indeed - many thanks for that, and glad you love the product so much For some tips n trick on using the EFH (and other film holders too) take a look at clifforth.co.uk/howto. Andrew clifforth.co.uk

[@ribsy]

Much appreciated Andrew! Thanks for the thorough reply 😀 I already learned the 120 trick haha but right after the video went live. All in all very pleased. Excited to see what else comes in the future 😁 I will check out the tips and tricks link

[@RJMPictures]

I can't wait to get mine! And i'll be getting both the standard and sprocket hole masks

[@danyeript1884]

This is a great product, I'm now away from home, but I'll be buying it as soon as I return. It'd be really cool to see what you could come up with for 8x10'' and 4x5'' sheet film... (just saying 😅) And great review too!

[@HeapsMad]

Great work Andrew! Very clever idea

[@KA6WNK]

Just found your channel.... very nice. I ordered the essential film holder and am waiting for it to post. Seeing your review, as well as pushing films review, also helped ease my mind that I made a good purchase decision. Thanks for the great tips!

[@ribsy]

yea its a worthwhile product. its the best combo of simplicity and capability. enjoy!

[@ZainRiza]

I want the negative supply one but that one is stupid expensive. This is a very interesting option.

[@ribsy]

yea! it is a beauty of a product. but out of my budget as well haha

[@SinaFarhat]

Interesting solution! I got a pixl-latr so I found my preferred solution! Keep up the good work!

[@ribsy]

cool! how does the pixl-latr work? i was intrigued by it

[@SinaFarhat]

@@ribsy The short version is that is 4x5 size plastic frame that also works with customized gates where you can adapt it so that you can isolate certain parts to also fit 120 and 35mm frames making it as a all one solution. As a bonus if you have 3d printing skills you can make 110 and 127 gates! It is in my mind a great customized platform for scanning just about anything!

[@AntonyBall-h9g]

just bought the kit EFH looking forward to trying it thanks for the heads up.

[@ribsy]

Enjoy!

[@michaeldoyle9904]

Chanced on your explanation of the Essential Film Holder, I am very impressed by the look of it and was even more impressed at your excellent no frills and down to earth description of how to use it, in fact as soon as I have finished adding my comments I intent to order one as I have lots of negatives and slides I need to digitise. Thanks for the superb presentation, I shall look out for more "Ribsy" takes on other aspects of photography, you are by the way a natural in front of the camera!!

[@ribsy]

Great - it will work well for you

[@Garacha222]

You could still use the toilet roll to block light while using this tool. The toilet roll could be improved with black flocking lining the inner walls of the roll as well. This morning, I ordered one of these "EFH" based on this video. I picked the option for other accessories as well, I can use it for 645 format. I hope one of the several options the seller offers fits for a panoramic 35mm film holder I can use on a BRONICA ETRSi. I'm interested in recommendations for the light source

[@ribsy]

yea i def could! i think i'd still have some clearance below my macro lens. congrats on your purchase, i think you will like it

[@erichstocker8358]

I still don't own the EFH (reasons explained in my earlier post)I have the holder made in Taiwan, the negative film supply basic 35mm holder, the pixl-latr, and the lomography holder. I also have an epson 700 scanner with the wet mount holder. Several of my continuing ed students did have the EFH and were extremely pleased with the performance,versatility, and the cost. Their scan came out very well and I detected no discernible issues that might be caused by film flatness. As indicated they were very happy with their purchase. I still get the bulletin from Andrew and he puts a lot of very useful development plan info in that as well as just good pointers to film and scanning. Indeed, in the last one he highlighted Ribsy's new 35mm film. While I have plenty of film holders, I'm thinking of buying one as I show all this in my class with demos of the hybrid film process. Fortunately the school kept their wet lab, so I get to demonstrate that also. Hope this adds additional info about the holder, the company and the owner.

[@ribsy]

Glad your students got benefit from it 😀

[@michaelmaklakov2111]

I ordered mine yesterday. Great job on the review! Thanks! I thought about the Negative Supply equipment, but it is very expensive. Once I get my photos and slides from the past copied, I don't think I will have much use for it anymore. I wish there were a mask for 4x5.

[@ribsy]

enjoy!

[@pushingfilm]

Hey nice review man, and thanks for the mention! 😁

[@ribsy]

thanks! and of course - no prob 😊

[@Twolightsart]

awesome video...you answered all of my questions perfectly...thanks for sharing!

[@ribsy]

great. glad it was helpful

[@kaymoment6486]

Great video. I love your channel and it feels great to watch them. I'm getting back into film photography after a long hiatus and decided I love the process of film...but it's hard to find film communities atound. Everyone shoots digital. This channel is a god send. If it's not to much, can you do more videos on advice for people who want to jump into film and find community? That has really been the hardest part for me, and Covid hasn't made it any easier.

[@ribsy]

great suggestion! i will def consider that. thanks for watching 😊

[@sh0ebox21]

Glad you decided to go for the EFH and are satisfied with it! Happy scanning

[@ribsy]

thanks! i am very happy with it so far

[@joanmichel]

always educating with cool products ~ still getting used to the new look LOL. or the old look.

[@ribsy]

I tried to give people nuggets of wisdom haha - I’m not used to my new look either 😂

[@joanmichel]

@@ribsy #DEAD

[@Raychristofer]

What's up ribs? Good job on this. And yo you don't realize it but you just did a workshop on collaboration and affiliation that I've been trying to accomplish on my channel for years. That was smooth LOL

[@ribsy]

haha thanks! i actually made the video on my own first. the producer liked me feedback so offered me an affiliate link after the fact. either way, i like the product and stand by it

[@4udience0f0ne]

Would definitely like to see you review the Pixl-Latr film holder if you get a chance!

[@ribsy]

same! i really don't wanna buy one though. if someone lends one to me, id be down! haha

[@4udience0f0ne]

@@ribsy reach out to them. Hamish, the owner, is a great guy and might send you a review copy.

[@photohiker81]

Ordered the complete set, thanks

[@ribsy]

Great! Enjoy

[@GraemeSimpsonPhotography]

When I get around to it I was going to try the pixl-latr which seems to work well for 35, 120 and 4x5.

[@ribsy]

Yea I’ve been seeing that as well. Was considering picking that up too. Haven’t seen too much info about it out there tho

[@GraemeSimpsonPhotography]

@@ribsy yeah that was why I held off buying it. Currently use a 3D printed film holder. Works well but has the problem you mentioned of not being able to keep the film totally flat at times. I'm going to go buy it now. Will do a review :)

[@MrSamDrake]

@@GraemeSimpsonPhotography I've been using the pixl-latr alot and I really love it, really good for the price

[@GraemeSimpsonPhotography]

@@MrSamDrake I bought it. It's brilliant. Did a video about it I liked it that much 😆

[@Painterinahurry]

Great video! Placed my order not too long ago. Very keen to give it a go.

[@ribsy]

Awesome let me know how it goes

[@sgroadie6367]

thanks...nice introduction. For 120 roll film, are there side masks to mask 645, 66, 67, 68 or 69?

[@ribsy]

nope - its a single mask for all medium format sizes. you will have space on either side of the image

[@robertgauld8804]

Black electrical tape works if you only use one size of negative.

[@Liamoz01]

been looking into getting this. Great video!

[@ribsy]

great - thanks

[@jimh1946]

Best review on this product!

[@ribsy]

glad you like it!

[@JuanKis]

Thank you for sharing this! What is the exposure you have to photograph those negatives, the light looks pretty dim.... ISO, SS, Aperture ? Again, Thank you so much!

[@ribsy]

hey! so i meter for "normal" exposure and the let the camera decide that. usually f10, ISO 100, and prob a shutter close 1 full sec.

[@JuanKis]

@@ribsy Thank you! That means the shutter speed could be different between frames? My exposure using a video light is about ISO 160 (the minimum on Fuji), f8 and around 1/200sec

[@ribsy]

Yea it varies but not by much. I leave it on aperture priority. I could probably use a brighter light 😃

[@billmarsh7760]

Could you please name the light source you are using? Thanks so much for a very informative review!

[@ribsy]

its a cheap LED tracing pad from amazon. one without any dots

[@billmarsh7760]

@@ribsy Thanks!

[@young-hoongihl3301]

Thanks for the video. Is the diffuser 3mm thick? My LED lights are so bright I'm not sure if a 3mm thickness would be okay.

[@ribsy]

hi! i have no idea how thick the diffuser is, but technically it will diffuse anything below. additionally, the distance between your LED and the diffuser will help, in additional to the distance from the negative. i don't think you'd have an issue.

[@young-hoongihl3301]

@@ribsy Thank you for the information.

[@tmuntenmaker5203]

Thanks for the vid! Nicely put together. What copy stand would you recommend by the way?

[@ribsy]

thanks for watching! i don't own a copy stand so i have no recs

[@Buckeye-ish]

Thoughts on the new basic film holder from negative supply?

[@ribsy]

Never used it!

[@IDaumI]

This is nice for 35 and 120 but looks super lightweight. I went with the Negative Supply Basic Fim Carrier cause it is cheaper and I only shoot 35mm anyway. The good thing is it is heavy so pulling film through won't move it around. I can scan a roll of 36 in under a minute once everything is set up.

[@ribsy]

yea i see what you mean. some heft isnt wouldnt hurt

[@frankwolff2903]

What is your camera, lens setup? Also do you feel that a quality scan with this method is good enough for 11x14 and larger enlargements? Thank you, FW

[@ribsy]

my setup is canon eos r. i def think it could print at 11x14 nicely. especially if you upscale in LR/PS

[@ayenoppa4717]

Thanks for the vid I also have the holder how I am having issue with getting my copystand to level with the holder, any tips? Cheers

[@ribsy]

ahh you try a construction level. get a little home one

[@teddy33131]

if you have an enlarger, you can use the film holder from your enlarger as well ;)

[@ribsy]

yea good point! its cumbersome but would def get the job done!

[@marcisaacs9407]

You are a great presenter

[@ribsy]

thanks! i am trying 😊

[@marcisaacs9407]

Your awesome

[@paulg7002]

If I use a lomography digitalizer will the light source work alright? Just curious because you have an added diffuser on your film holder. I am thinking about getting the same light tablet as yours.

[@ribsy]

I don’t know the link anymore. Just make sure it doesn’t have any marks on it

[@LoopH264]

Is that opaque clear panel necessary? I ask because I don't put panels like that on top of my Kaiser panel and I'd like to see if it does any good. Thanks!

[@ribsy]

It all depends on your light. If your light is very diffused then it doesn’t matter as much

[@EstebanFonsecaAR]

I too bought this holder after pushing film's review, however, after getting it, I sold my camera and couldn't even try it once hahaha :D I'm getting a new canera at the end of the month though

[@ribsy]

Haha I see. Excited for you to try it - it’s so convenient

[@AlvaroEEscalanteAular]

Can you explain something about Negadoctor by Darktable?

[@ribsy]

Never used it!

[@trueblack6760]

NICE! Good and fair review indeed. I love you had invented the toilet paper method.

[@ribsy]

thanks! haha yes the toilet paper method - can't go wrong 😊

[@michaelprzewrocki4195]

Can 70mm frame be made? at least 122mm long frame

[@ribsy]

No clue

[@tylerbeadle-follis3338]

Is this only for DSLR copying?

[@ribsy]

yea, this is only for use with the digital camera scanning process

[@tylerbeadle-follis3338]

Doing Film Things would you think ext tubes or tele converters achieve the same quality compared to a macro lens?

[@caryconover]

Does the leading edge of the film ever catch when inserting?

[@ribsy]

yea it does. but that happens with all holders unless the film is very flat

[@kiataniotis6845]

Hello...is that ok for 110 films?

[@ribsy]

the one i have doesn't - you'd have to ask for a custom mask

[@ayenoppa4717]

I bought this after watching Pushing film a little over 2 weeks ago still haven’t gotten any confirmation of shipping and haven’t even gotten reply email neither hopefully this is just only me tho.

[@ribsy]

ouch. you should reach out and see

[@ayenoppa4717]

Doing Film Things yes I did but no response but I will try it again. Might be a lot of orders after pushing film and you review that why it delayed.

[@Fujioh]

How long did you wait to receive it? I ordered mine on September 5th.

[@ribsy]

Mine arrived very quickly. I live in the UK though, so it was all local.

[@Fujioh]

Doing Film Things makes sense I’m in the US so it’s a bit crazy atm

[@kevangogh]

From my experience, you need a decent air gap between the bottom film and the light source because if there is any scratch, dust, etc on the light source (or diffusion panel) it will show up on the scan. I use f/2.8 on my 100mm macro lens for a shallow depth of field to try and avoid that but if the film is touching another surface, anything on that surface will show up. Currently I have the Digitaliza and I have to suspend a few centimeters above the LED panel to avoid that. For that reason alone this device seems superior to the pixl-latr, which appears to have the negative touching the white diffusor. I do like the way they integrated various film sizes with the gates on the pixl-latr but in the end this looks more solid to me.

[@ribsy]

yea good point. its nice that this product give you some space between the light and the negative

[@kevangogh]

@@ribsy I bought it and used your link BTW...

[@ribsy]

Oh amazing! Thanks for the support 😃

[@wiwythebest]

great video and now a new sub!

[@ribsy]

Thanks for watching 😃

[@tuisitala9068]

This seems quite expensive but it does exactly what you want, ie very easy and quick flat film scanning. I would recommend this to anyone.

[@ribsy]

yea it def does what you need it to do easily and well!

[@plam135]

Why can't we use a plate of glass ?

[@ribsy]

You may be able to but it requires specific glass to void Newton rings

[@JohnFuryATH]

The question is, is it £73-better than the toilet roll? I mean its cool but its also pretty expensive for just holding the film flat.

[@ribsy]

I definitely think it’s 73£ better than the toilet roll. This product drives consistency and really speeds up the workflow. Everything will cost some amount of money, so that doesn’t bother me. I’m what I am chasing is excellent results with relative ease. This gets me very close

[@JohnnyMcMillan]

Seems pretty hefty a price though for what it is. The Lomography Digitiliza is half the price for holding film flat

[@erichstocker8358]

The concept may be interesting but the company is totally worthless as a customer service and product delivery entity. It provides no invoice when ordered online. It refuses to answer any email that requests information about whether it received an order. It provides no information as to whether or if it ever intends to ship the product. The owner fortunately is not thief. Because after the 3rd email requesting confirmation that the order was received and an estimate of shipment, the owner just refunds the money. So, don't expect customer service as the owner is rather a rude, self-centered individual (but again honest). He really doesn't want to produce or distribute these things. I think he did it as a personal project and was surprised by the interest. Still keeps it as a personal project and not as a commercial enterprise. Unless you don't care about communications or customer service and then don't care about customer support, you can order this product. There are other products out there that do the same thing but provide better service.

[@ribsy]

It's unfortunate you had that experience.

[@erichstocker4173]

@@ribsy Yes, I agree that it was unfortunate. However, that experience doesn't invalidate your review or your discussion of the apparent usefulness of the product. Given you video, I am confident that it would have been a very useful product. If one doesn't mind not getting any feedback and just rude responses from the developer then the product might indeed be useful. Indeed, I was willing to wait I just wanted a confirmation that the order was received and in progress. Never got an answer until the cancellation came through paypal. So, folks should review the useful information you present and then read my comment and determine whether the product is worth the purchase experience. I am sure that for many people that it might still be worth it.

[@KA6WNK]

I have had nothing but the opposite experience.

[@monkeysausage2404]

Deleted

[@ribsy]

fair enough. its hard to assign a price value to something that is built. that is purely a manufacturing/business decision. with that said, i do feel satisfied with the product and it is well built.

[@monkeysausage2404]

@@ribsy deleted