Kaiser DigiCopy Vario / reprokid
Complete accessory set for scanning film with a digital camera2025 © Thomas Gade
Image: Kaiser Fototechnik
It is very rare that I describe products I have not tested myself. In this case, however, I am making an exception, as I have long been familiar with both the film and slide stages of Kaiser enlargers as well as the LED light panel. The simple copy stand for lightweight cameras also raises no questions if you know the product quality of Kaiser Fototechnik from many years of experience. The manufacturer kindly provided several images. Requesting a review sample to take my own product photos therefore did not seem necessary.
At its core, the topic concerns two products: the Kaiser reprokid copy stand and a set of various components for holding and illuminating film strips and mounted slides for photographic reproduction. This set is called Kaiser DigiCopy Vario. Both products can be purchased individually or as a bundle.
Copy stand reprokid
Digitizing slides and negatives with traditional film scanners can be very time‑consuming. Modern digital cameras offer a much faster alternative. For a classic setup, you need a suitable light source, appropriate holders for the film material, and a stable copy stand in addition to the camera. For a long time, complete solutions — as well as user‑friendly software for converting negatives into positives — were lacking in the photographic market. In the meantime, the range of available options has improved significantly.Kaiser Fototechnik, known for high‑quality accessories for both analog and digital photography, still offers traditional darkroom enlargers in addition to copy stands. The DigiCopy Vario set is part of the product range and is optionally available with the compact 'reprokid' copy stand. It features a 59 cm column and a relatively small baseboard (32 × 38 cm). It is ideal for use with smartphones or lightweight mirrorless cameras. With heavier DSLR cameras and large lenses, however, the copy stand reaches its load limit. Since it does not have a crank for height adjustment, the locking clamp should be loosened carefully to prevent the arm with the camera from sliding down uncontrollably.
The camera is mounted directly to the tripod thread, while an included clamp also allows smartphones to be attached. Kaiser’s proven negative stage serves as the film holder and includes masks for mounted 35 mm slides and 35 mm film strips. Additional masks for formats up to 6 × 7 cm as well as glass plates are available as optional accessories. Even illumination is provided by a dimmable LED panel (Slimlite Plano) with a color temperature of 5000 K, a color rendering index of CRI = 95, and a generous illuminated area of 22 × 16 cm.
When the negative stage is placed directly on the panel, a special mask covers unused areas. A smaller light source would be sufficient, but the larger panel offers additional possibilities, such as viewing slides and negatives. Novoflex offers a comparable solution with the mobile copy stand “MS‑MR‑COP” (approx. €1,120). In direct comparison, however, the Kaiser system stands out with a significantly lower price while offering similar functionality.
Technical data for the copy stand
Baseboard (W × H × D): 32 × 1.9 × 38 cm
Column height: 59 cm
Load capacity: max. 1 kg
RRP (2025) for the copy stand: €169
Data for the FilmCopy Vario Kit
Scope of delivery: reprokid copy stand and FilmCopy Vario Kit with FilmCopy Vario holder, including format insert for 35 mm slides, 24 × 36 mm format mask, support mat for the Slimlite Plano light panel, plus smartphone holder and dust brush.RRP (2025) for the copy stand with the FilmCopy Vario Kit: €549
Image: Kaiser Fototechnik
The set includes a light panel as well as a negative stage with masks for 35 mm film and mounted slides. The negative stage originates from Kaiser’s traditional darkroom enlargers.
Various masks for the film stage allow optimal adaptation to multiple film formats. They can be purchased as optional accessories.
Removing dust
Dust is a persistent problem when digitizing slides and negatives. While some film scanners and their software can automatically detect and retouch dust particles and scratches, this function is largely absent when using digital cameras. Special dust brushes from photo retailers are often expensive and not always particularly gentle or effective.
A surprisingly effective and inexpensive alternative can be found in drugstores. The Swiffer Duster dust magnet reliably removes dust from delicate surfaces without creating static charge.
Evaluation
The Kaiser DigiCopy Vario set is aimed at users seeking a straightforward and cost‑effective solution for digitizing slides and negatives without having to build their own setup. In combination with a high‑quality smartphone or a compact mirrorless camera with a macro lens, the set provides all the components needed for a practical method of camera‑based film scanning. The dimmable LED panel and the copy stand can also be used for other tasks.The Kaiser reprokid is the manufacturer’s smallest copy stand. It is a response to the emergence of similar products from other manufacturers offering specialized tools for digitizing negatives and slides with cameras.