OpenTube

The Essential Film Holder v3.2, do you need to spend more to scan your precious negatives !!!!!

Martin Henson

8,470 views

In this video I take a carefull look at Andrew Clfforths latest version of the Essential Film Holder, from self assembly to comparison negatives with the Valoi 360, full in depth review, designed and built in the UK with over 50000 units sold since its launch in March 2020, enjoy. If you enjoyed this content, please consider making a contribution at
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s...

The Essential Film Holder
https://clifforth.co.uk/index.php

Photokit Free download at
https://www.pixelgenius.com/

Gallery Support Channel
https://martinimages.photium.com/yout... (Password = support)

My contact page https://www.martinhensonphotography.c...

Personal Website
https://www.martinhensonphotography.c...

Visit my Black and White Learning forums
https://www.digitalmonochromeforum.co...
Large Format Forum
https://www.5x4.co.uk/

Contrast Grading Tutorials
Buy my detailed Contrast Grading tutorials, for digital and film users
Visit my shop below to buy my Contrast Grading tutorials, enter code YOUTUBE at checkout to receive a 33% discount
https://martinimages.photium.com/cont...

MUSIC CREDITING
YouTube Studio Music

Open sequence
Photo by Marek Piwnicki on unsplash

20 Comments

@ramarren 1 year ago

I've used many scanning/film holder solutions over the years since 1995, and decided to try the EFH when Andrew first released it. I haven't looked back since.

I frequently leave the 35mm holder above a 6x6 or larger (it's just convenient that way), but never stack two medium format holders to avoid any shading. My light source is a very thin LED or Flourescent unit that actually fits under the holder in between the legs. A little bit of tacky putty on the end of each leg lets me lock the whole setup nicely in place, and afterwards just balls up and goes into its own plastic container so it is always clean.

Also, since I tend to scan whole uncut rolls, to stop the occasional film jamming when first feeding the film into the holder, I just cut the leading end at a slight angle on the rebate/leader... then, it cannot jam.

@sara505sings 1 year ago

After using a variety of homemade rigs and masks, I finally bought the essential film holder and it works absolutely great for 35 mm, especially for uncut film. I develop my film, leave it uncut and can just basically zip it through the essential film holder in a matter of minutes. Highly recommended.

@robertyoung1777 1 year ago

Check out the Negative Supply kits too. They aren’t crazy expensive.
Thank you Martin!
Quality scanning is a big issue for us photographers who are serious about our beloved FILM.

@lensman5762 1 year ago

I don't have the EFH stuff, but one way of speeding the changeover of the negative ' holder' is to dispose those silly plastic wing nuts and just use steel bars instead. The weight of the steel bars will hold the holder flat. Looking at it, they look like M5 plastic studs, so the steel bars will need to be drilled to M5. This way you' d just lift the bars and get on with the change over.

@jopollack6528 1 year ago

A great, informative video, thank you for that! Also, thank you very much for the German translation of the audio track. Best wishes from Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Jo 😊

@luna01010202 11 months ago

Thank you for demoing the EFH. I am patiently waiting for mine to arrive.

@ianlainchy 1 year ago

Sold! I've been 3D printing holders for each format, but, they're not ideal and held together with tape. I've ordered one, but will make some knurled brass nuts for it, instead of the wing nuts, unless I can find some nylon knurled nuts. Superb though :) Can't wait to receive it.

@druszaj 1 year ago (edited)

I've used mine for a year. Works well for 35mm, doesn't hold film flat enough for medium format. Doesn't have a great design to prevent extra light penetration, you kind of need to jerry-rig it a bit to reduce the light that bounces around - especially true for color negative.

@ИльяФомилия 1 year ago

thanks for unpacking this probably good kit 🎉❤

@kstrohmeier 1 year ago

I enjoy using my Essential Film Holder and my scans improved when I upgraded my light source from my wife's old first generation iPad.

@vin424242 1 year ago (edited)

I have the E F H and a couple of film masks, can't fault it for the price, just need to order another mask, i don't stack the masks and cut down the bolts for easier removal of the wing nuts

@billkaroly 1 year ago

The Rebel was the fourth DSLR from Canon. D30, D60, 10D and then the Rebel.

@thomaschipman 1 year ago

i know that it is a much smaller market, but for selfish reasons i do wish andrew offered a version of the EFH capable of handling 6x17.

@RR7BA 1 year ago

At 20:15 you mention the film getting stuck, i.e. not engaging properly. You say that "Andrew recommends (inaudible) the sharp corners of the lead negative". Can you clarify as I have this problem using this system?

@InTime-2024 2 months ago

There appears to be a lot of stray light around the essential film holder. How do you ensure that the ashtray lights do not interfere with the scan quality?

@BenjiDalton 1 year ago

I could tell the one on the left was not as flat immediately. The one on the right was sharper in places due to less warp. That said, it was very minor. The essential film holder gets you most of the way there and is the best bang for buck. It's the principle of diminishing returns. Unless you are very picky or your use is for professional archival or very large prints, I'd say the essential film holder is a great value. And I'm sure it will be a step up from an epson flatbed scanner in many ways. I've gone ahead and ordered an essential film holder as it will meet my needs and I find the valoi a bit too dear in price.

@billkaroly 1 year ago

You should set up Memberships.

@rastcheck6037 11 months ago

Great review!! How do you compare these camera scanning systems to a Epson V850 in terms of quality and easy to use? Thank you 😊

@kfalconry 2 months ago

It's the worst. I ordered and paid three months ago, but it still hasn't been delivered.

@migranthawker2952 1 year ago

I do digitise my existing films, but I can see no point in taking images with a film camera, then digitising the negatives/positives. Why not just use a digital camera in the first place. I went from medium format to digital and I will never go back.