CineStill CS-LITE Camera Scanning Light Source with CS-Litemask

Introduction

95+ CRI Light For Digital Camera Scanning

The CS-LITE Camera Scanning Light Source is a compact LED light source specifically designed to provide film photographers with higher-quality light output and improved color management when scanning their favorite 35mm and medium format films with a digital camera.

The CS-LITE features a CRI of 95+ for high color accuracy and a brightness of EV 15+ to provide sufficient illumination for even the densest of negatives. What sets the CS-LITE apart from other light sources on the market is its ability to adjust color temperatures to properly suit different types of film, such as color negative, color positive, and B&W. These are controlled directly from the built-in remote control of the CS-LITE.

CS-LITE Color Temperature / Calibrated for:

• Cool Light Mode forColor Negative film
• White Light Mode forB&W film, Slide film processed in CineStill D9 DynamicChrome 1st Developer 1:1
• Warm Light Mode forSlide film processed in standard E6 chemistry or CineStill D6 DaylightChrome 1st Developer

Cool Light Mode for Color Negative Film Scanning

The Cool Light mode reduces the orange mask that is present in color negative film like CineStill 800T, 400D, and 50D, providing color-balanced scans with better color separation and less noise.

White Light Mode for Black & White Film Scanning

The White Light mode is ideal for scanning B&W, as well as slide film that has been processed with the warm-tone 1:1 dilution of the CineStill D9 DynamicChrome 1st Developer.

Warm Light Mode for Slide Film Scanning

Lastly, the Warm Light mode is perfect for scanning slide film that has been processed with standard E6 chemistry (or the CineStill D6 DaylightChrome 1st Developer), as the tungsten-balanced light can produce richer tones and enhanced color separation, especially within the red channel.

Features:

• High quality LED light source for digital camera scanning of photographic film
• CRI of 95+ for high color accuracy
• Brightness of EV 15+
• Adjustable to 3 different color temperatures to properly suit different types of film (color negative, B+W, slide)

Compatible With:

• CS-LiteMask: The CS-LiteMask is a universal film carrier mask compatible with brands like VALOI, Negative Supply, and Lomography. It blocks excess spill light around the edges, reducing reflections and ensuring even lighting for your scans. Designed to fit VALOI 360 carriers perfectly, it creates a stable and compact setup. The CS-LiteMask is included with the CS-LITE.
• CS-LiteBrite+: The CS-LiteBrite+ includes two sheets that boost light direction and color accuracy for camera scanning. One sheet alone increases brightness by over 60%, and stacking both correctly raises light output by 130%, making scans sharper and clearer. Note that the CS-LiteBrite+ is sold separately from the CS-LITE.

Dimensions:

6.5 x 4.4 x 0.8″ (L x W x H)

Camera Scanning Considerations:

Camera Body

Just about any semi-modern, interchangeable-lens digital camera will work great for camera scanning. There are many mirrorless or DSLR options to choose from with large lens catalogs, tethered capture capability, and excellent image quality. Some high end cameras can even use pixel stitching to deliver extremely high levels of resolution.

Macro Lens

For camera scanning, the one real requirement is that your lens focuses close enough to capture the entire frame. 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-sensor bodies, 1:1 lenses focus even closer. 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, its generally best to use your macro lens stopped down 2-3 stops from wide open, as this gives a good combination of depth of field and sharpness.

Software for Negative Conversion

There are a few plugins and standalone programs for converting captured negatives into positive images. Some older and some newer, all of them try to harness the color science based in darkroom paper to various degrees. After all, even a professional lab scanner is essentially a digital camera and a light source. Most of the options presented here allow you to download a demo version to try before you buy and determine which one best suits your workflow.

• CS Negative+ Software requires Adobe CC/Mobile for Prosumer (FREE)
• SmartConvert requires Mac/PC for Consumer ($$)
• FilmLab requires Mac/PC Consumer for Consumer ($$)
• Negative Lab Pro requires Adobe Lr Classic for Prosumer ($$)
• LaserSoft NegaFix requires SilverFast HDR 8 for Professional ($$$)
• ColorPerfect requires Adobe Ps for Professional ($)

FAQ:

Why are the CS-Lite color modes important for camera scanning?
Achieving accurate color when camera scanning color negative film can be challenging, even with high CRI lighting and advanced software like Negative Lab Pro or FilmLab. The key is capturing a well-exposed and color-balanced image initially, minimizing the need for heavy adjustments that exceed the files bit depth or software limits. The CS-LITE addresses this with three built-in color modes: Warm for slides, White for black and white film, and Cool for color negatives.

Product SKU:

CSLITEV1

In The Box:

CineStill CS-LITE Camera Scanning Light Source
CineStill CS-LiteMask Universal Carrier Mask