Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
For copying art work the standard way was to cross polarise, e.g. polarising filters over the lights and circular polariser over the lens, rotate till all the flare goes.
On the digital front a second hand P45 with a v hasselblad is probably the best and most cost effective solution, I did shoot with the phase one scanning back it was perfectly fine, but the problems outweighed the benefits
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
The new Pentax is the 645Z.
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
We use LEAF Medium Format Digital Backs mounted on Sinar P2's to photograph paintings: http://www.rauantiques.com/fine-art/paintings/
One thing to think about if you are thinking of shooting film is that Polaroid and Fuji quit making 4x5 instant film so having a quick preview is no longer an option with film. I would say the way to go for any level of commercial copy work would be with MFDB's; either Phase, LEAF, etc., on a view camera. The benefit is that you get Live View with which you can easily assess your polarization, composition, etc. The Live View screen on my computer is about 8x10 and, even though it is in black & white, one can easily see the effects of the lighting.
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Thom Bennett
....Polaroid and Fuji quit making 4x5 instant film
I guess i should tell the fuji rep to not sell or market any FP100c...
How could anyone calibrate anything with polaroid instant material is beyond me, but the fuji stuff which is really accurate, is alive and well.
Regardless of the above - you are correct, there is no comparing digital capture with any film capture in this day and age.
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
koh303
I guess i should tell the fuji rep to not sell or market any FP100c...
How could anyone calibrate anything with polaroid instant material is beyond me, but the fuji stuff which is really accurate, is alive and well.
Regardless of the above - you are correct, there is no comparing digital capture with any film capture in this day and age.
Get the rope!! :)
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
"How could anyone calibrate anything with polaroid instant material is beyond me, but the fuji stuff which is really accurate, is alive and well."
Oh, not talking about color calibration, just checking the lighting. I thought the 4x5 was gone and only the 3.25x4.25 was available.
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Thom Bennett
"How could anyone calibrate anything with polaroid instant material is beyond me, but the fuji stuff which is really accurate, is alive and well."
Oh, not talking about color calibration, just checking the lighting. I thought the 4x5 was gone and only the 3.25x4.25 was available.
It's available for import from japan (the 4x5) but still the 3.25x4.25 is big enough that you can see what's happening.
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
after months researching this subject,my studio is full of art being prepared for shipment .It will be reproduced in house on a better light scan back.The agencies I have talked two still consider the better light back to be state of the art.Their second choice is a drum scanned 4x5 e-6.Thay do not want any other type of file for fine art reproduction. I think it also depends on what you are going to do with the art, that is what are the clients expectations .Since I want my work reproduced on the highest level in preparation for on line sales I had to resist the urge to use my 4x5.
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
Used Leica S2's are down to about $7,000. I think I'd go that way, but of course, that's me. Different tools for different people...
Re: Is Betterlight Still the Standard?
The Betterlight will still give the best results. Most other systems will flavour your files somewhat - kind of like a colour cast from film and / or processing. Sadly, some clients are insisting on faster cheaper solutions. So stitching DSLR and medium format files has become common place.