The easy120 has been a ride to work on - between not wanting to ‘ruin’ the idea of a compact 35mm scanning device with making it bigger, to getting excited about having an integrated, easy to use multi-format scanning unit.
Late towards the development, I put a mirror inside the easy120 need to check the alignment of the pre-production units to ensure they were meeting the required tolerances. As soon as I turned on the camera and saw the reflection of the lens in through the camera, a big smile spread on my face. The cross in the middle of the screen was right in the middle of the lens aperture. I picked up the unit, held it horizontally, at an angle, shook it - and the cross didn’t move from the middle. This is when I got really excited about this system - here we had a self-aligning, all-metal unit with a powerful, high quality light inside. It was the kind of device I would have killed for when I was in university and first started tinkering with my own film holders that eventually became VALOI.
What the easy120 is not
Price
We have had some feedback about various aspects of the easy120, one of them is price. I mentioned being in university and how exciting it would have been to find this then - but I also know that it would have been a lot of money to put down for a scanning device. We know this is not for everyone - while we want to make accessible products, products that everyone can use, we have the luxury of having a larger product line-up than before. We can now design with fewer compromises on this new product while being able to offer a more affordable alternative if the easy120 is not for you. If you are a university student and the new release is stretching your money, what about splitting it with some friends or finding a local photography club to convince about camera scanning?
Universal and finished
Another question we get a lot is: What about THIS format? What about THAT application?
While the easy120 can handle at least 8 formats at launch, with the right accessories, it is not a universal device. It will never take 4x5 film. At launch it will also not take the smaller niche formats, such as Minox (we have the easy35 available for these formats). They might come, but at launch not everything is there.
This includes the much desired 120 border-scanning holder: This is something we have put considerable energy into making a satisfying solution for, but we have not yet found one that we are satisfied with. The combination of avoid film scratches, having great film flatness and not having any film to grip onto leaves the question on where to compromise.
There will be more products release in the easy120 system, as we are by no means finished. However, we want to release this product into the world and see it in use. Then we will add more to it in the future.
Compatible with any lens
The easy120, the size of the format and the length of some macro lenses, mean that the unit is not compatible with any lens. Specifically, it is not compatible with the longest focal lengths. For those of you that are curious, I have included a preview of the information we will provide about lens compatibility - please read it before emailing us. You can find that right at the bottom.
Launch date, shipping date and prices
We have finalised what we think will be the launch date, shipping dates and prices for the easy120 release. That does not mean nothing will change, but it means we are confident enough in the information to present it to you.
The pre-order will launch at 10AM CET (Central European time, 4AM East coast US) on the 31st October 2024. It will be available on Kamerastore.com as usual, and we have partnered with Cinestill to open the pre-order from their pages too - their exact launch time might vary due to time zones. The pre-order will be open for approximately two weeks or until we sell out of the first batch. Once that happens, we will move the shipping window to January/February.
Right now, it looks like we will be ready to start shipping the units out starting in the first or second week of December 2024. This means a mere 4-5 weeks wait for those who order the units first.
Finally, the prices we have at the moment are found below. The retail prices are the prices they products will sell at in the future, and the pre-sale price are the prices you are getting as our early patrons, if you wish to part of the pre-sale.
Retail price | Pre-sale price | |
Main body inc. 120 Universal Holder | 549€ | 490€ |
easy120 Advancer | 99€ | 89€ |
6x7 Holder | 65€ | 58€ |
6x6 Holder | 65€ | 58€ |
6x4.5 Holder | 65€ | 58€ |
35mm Standard holder | 75€ | 67€ |
35mm Panoramic Holder | 75€ | 67€ |
Goodbye, see you soon!
So, that’s all we have for now - that was all the content we have for you about the easy120 launch and development. It has been an interesting approach to be more public about our development process, and I think a positive one for the product as it has shaped our view on what the final product should be and should contain.
We hope you would like to join our limited pre-sale. If you are not already signed up to our newsletter list, I would recommend doing that, for as mentioned, it is a limited sale and the prices are the only discount available on this product for a long time to come (it will not be included in any end-of-year sales). As usual, if you have any comments or questions, we are always excited to engage with you now and in the future.
PREVIEW (subject to change): Information about lens compatibility
The easy120 is compatible with all system cameras (cameras with interchangeable lenses), including digital medium format cameras. We don’t recommend the use of any fixed-lens cameras.*
*Acceptable results can be achieved with high-end fixed-lens models like the Leica Q3 (28mm and 43mm) when scanning medium format.
The easy120 has two limitations on lens compatibility:
The filter thread on the lens must be one of the following filter threads: 39mm, 46mm, 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm
When focusing on the film you want to scan, the distance from the front of the lens to the film (working distance) must be smaller than 310mm. You can test this on your own, by placing the format you want to scan on the table and trying to focus on it, then measure the distance from the front of the lens to the film.
Maximum extension from filter ring: 315mm*
The following tubes are included and can be used to adjust the distance between film and lens:
2x 100mm
1x 50mm
1x 25mm
1x 12mm
*This number includes distances not related to the distance tubes.
Approximate compatible focal lengths
Note that because there are many factors at play, we cannot guarantee that your setup will be compatible - we will do our best to advise you but the safest way is to measure it yourself using your lens and desired film format (see above).
Maximum focal length for APS-C sensor: 70mm
Maximum focal length for FF sensor: 105mm
Maximum focal length on MFT sensor: 50mm (60mm lenses can be used for scanning 35mm only)
Maximum focal length for GFX/Hasselblad X sensor: 120mm
I'm so excited to try this thing
I can't wait to scan my film negatives 😍
I already have a CRI 99 light source for up to 4x5 scanning. Will there be a version that allows to use your own light source?
I am excited for the pre-release, any chance we will be seeing some Youtube Influencers' early previews/reviews? Would just like to be able to see how the system works, especially with all of the holders as dropping $530+ for the system is a massive investment.
I have experienced a lot of issues with vignetting on the easy35. Is this an issue that still persists with the easy120?
Is it certain that there will be a holder for border scanning in the future? For me, this is an important point.