What Lens?

[jcbenner]

What are the relative merits of using a 50mm focal length vs. a 100mm focal length for the purposes of camera scans? The set-up length will be shorter and more convenient with the 50mm, but what about the image quality?  Any differences?

Thanks,

John

[peterkrogh]

John,
Several good reasons to use shorter lenses:

1. Better ergonomics - shorter distance from camera to film stage
2. More depth of field at same aperture - should help with edge-to-edge focus
3. Easier to shade the lens - whatever is backlighting the film needs to be protected from hitting the lens elements directly.

Peter