Negative Supply makes some of the nicest film scanning gear on the planet. And now they’ve updated the Basic Riser Mini MK3 to match the build quality of the rest of their line. The new copy stand is better in every way but it’s missing one thing… Hit the jump for more!
Negative Supply Basic Riser Mini MK3 Is Better In Every Way
Negative supply has built a solid reputation for making top of the line film scanning gear that includes negative holders, light sources plus a range of excellent copy stands. But their entry level to the system – the Basic Riser Mini always felt a bit flimsy compared to the rest of their gear.
Not anymore!
Negative Supply has updated the Basic Riser Mini MK3 to include a sturdier upright column as well as a more robust head that can now handle cameras as large as the Canon 5D Mk III. Everything is made from solid steel, aluminum and carbon fiber. This thing is built to last!
Basic Riser Mini MK 3 Features
The Basic Riser Mini MK3 now features the same build quality and rigidity as their more premium copy stands but in a smaller size more suited to 35mm scanning. The new copy stand includes the following features:
- Scan 35mm or 120 film with standard or short telephoto macro lenses (up to 100mm for 35mm and up to 70mm for 120 film)
- Anodized metal central column and hybrid carbon fiber composite and aluminum head design
- Steel base with black powder coating
- Bolt on rubber feet for better grip and dampening
- More robust head design with integrated 1/4-20 camera mounting point and window for camera mounting
- Supports crop sensor or full frame mirrorless cameras or DSLRs (NOT meant for gripped cameras)
- Fast assembly/disassembly for easy storage, travel, etc.
- Compact footprint for any size workspace
- Dimensions: 9in x 9in x 17in (max riser height 16in)
The Basic Riser Mini MK 3 is the most affordable copy stand for the Negative Supply film scanning system and the improvements bring the quality on par with the rest of the system. This makes this copy stand a great choice for anyone looking to scan 35mm film who still wants a solid foundation.
Pricing And Other Concerns
The Basic Riser Mini MK3 is a solid copy stand that maintains the quality and usability that people have come to expect from Negative Supply. But this doesn’t come cheap.
The copy stand alone retails for $299 USD. This is clearly a premium product and as a copy stand alone it looks like a solid choice. But film scanning involves more than just attaching a camera to a copy stand so Negative Supply has created the Essential Kit For 35mm Scanning.
The Essential Kit includes the Basic Riser Mini MK3 as well as their excellent 35mm film carrier plus a high CRI light source. The kit sells for $449 USD and apart from a camera and lens it seems to include everything you’d need to start scanning.
But it’s missing one very important feature.
The Essential Kit For 35mm Scanning
One of the most critical parts of camera scanning is getting the camera exactly parallel to the negative holder so the entire negative is in focus without any kind of distortion. This is often referred to as levelling and it can be a simple chore if you have the right tools.
But the Basic Riser Mini MK3 only allows you to attach a camera to the stand by using a single screw. There’s no tripod head so there’s no ability to adjust the camera’s position once it’s attached to the stand. Even a tiny amount of flex in the mounting point can put the camera out of alignment.
The solution is to use leveling feet on the negative holder or light source to “fine tune” the alignment once the camera is attached. This let’s you tilt the film holder assembly to perfectly match the angle of the camera’s sensor. Unfortunately the Negative Supply Essential Kit for 35mm Scanning doesn’t include this feature.
Analog Resurgence suggests folding a piece of paper and placing it under the feet of the light source to change its angle and get it parallel with the camera. But the thought of relying on folded paper to keep my negatives stable while scanning gives me the willies to say the least.
Of course, you could jerry rig a little metal plate with adjustable feet and rest the light source and negative holder on that. But you just paid nearly $500 USD for a scanning set up and you shouldn’t have to patch together something as fundamental as this.
Frankly, the ommision of any kind of levelling base on the Essential Kit is a glaring oversight that can have a profound effect its usablity in the long run. The company should at least offer it as an option!
The Last Word
I’m a big fan of Negative Supply products in general. But it really bothers me that they don’t include any kind of levelling option for their entry level gear. Even an optional accessory base with screw feet that allow you to raise and lower each corner of the light source and film holder would fix the problem.
If you just need a copy stand then the new Basic Riser Mini MK3 looks like a solid choice.
But if you need a full scanning solution the choice isn’t so clear. The Essential Kit for 35mm Scanning is $100 USD more than the excellent Valoi Easy35 and that comes pre-levelled out of the box. So you have to wonder what advantages the Negative Supply product offers.
All in all I think this is an excellent update to the Negative Supply’s mini copy stand. But it’s difficult to recommend that product over something like the Easy 35.
The Basic Riser Mini MK3 is available directly from Negative Supply:
What’s your take on the updated Basic Riser Mini MK 3? It is a welcome upgrade? Or do you prefer an all-in-one solution like the Valoi Easy35? Post your ideas in the comments below and keep the conversation going!