Camera Labs

HI All

I wandered if I could get a few of you to help me.

I have a D80 with 50mm lens, in order to get the sharpest possible images of flat artwork. The work is large - up to 2m by 2.5m paintings, hung on a wall flat and the camera set back on a tripod so i can get F5.6 / F8 and the highest resolution and sharpest image allover as possible.

I have two basic problems, my set up at the moment does not quite give me enough detail to use these reproductions of my work for publication - say a large glossy book, or a large repro in s fine art magazine.
Second problem is when the work gets too big, e.g. 3m wide or so, my studio is not big enough to use the 50mm lens so I have to resort to a 18mm-135mm soon nikon lens, which does the job but there is a loss in quality again. (soft corners etc)

So I am leaning in two directions, a Canon 5D mkII with a standard 50mm lens - which as a full (FX) frame would give me extra room, and of course this camera has much more resolution. Or go for a D700 and use my existing 50mm lens but not get the higher resolution.

But would either of these moves get me a whole lot more details than my current Nikon D80 set up

And - Of course with lots of rumours flying around about the nikon D700 and and 5D MkII possibly being upgraded in the next 6 months, should I wait (I am in no big hurry) and if so - wait for what, Nikon to up their resolution, or even great resolution from Canon and who knows what other surprises.

(of course new announcements might make a 5D mark II much cheaper - but is it enough of a step up from my D80)

sorry perhaps too much info / long dilemma - but interested what any of you would like to add would be really appreciated.

Obviously the camera is mostly for this single activity, photographing detailed oil paintings, so FPS rate or even a built in flash unit are not deal breakers here at all. Its all about resolution (even to the borders), sharpness and even-ness - so negligible distortions, and no vignetting.

in advance - thanks for any advice
andy

Tricky question. Difficult answer. What exactly is it about the D80 output that is inadequate? Is the pixel resolution not adequate? If so, how much more do you need? The 5D2 is certainly one of the value options, the other maybe the Sony a850/a900. Both offer just over double the pixel count, or about 40%+ more per side. Is that enough?

If you have the time and inclination, would taking multiple shots of parts of the painting and combining them again afterwards be an option? If this is something you might do a lot, then possibly invest in a custom rig to hold the camera in pre-determined positions and keep it level to make things easier.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

The 5d mk3 could come out anytime soon but also might not be announced until early next year. If you can wait that long I would because it wil probably have megapixels and will definitely be a much better camera. The 5d mk2 is an old camera, and whilst still a valid option I think it's too close to the release of the mk3 to get the mk2.

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

When the 5D (3) is released, the prices will be sky high, as I always say on here. It is best to wait 6 months or so for prices to fall. If you need the camera now though, that isn't good enough.

I would reccomend going to the camera shop and having a hold of them, and seeing which ergonomics you prefer. This is the prime selling point. It is you that is going to be holding and using it.

This service is free, as well.

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Canon EOS 500D
Lenses: EFS 18-55mm IS, EF 50mm F/1.8 II

@canon 500d if Andy is using a tripod (which I am guessing he is) the ergonomics of the camera is not really that important and as mentioned he is looking for high resolution images.

@ Andy if you can't wait for the 5d mk3 go for the mk2. At 21MP it will give you great images. I have used one before and absolutely loved it

P.S. Don't get cheap glass (unless it's the 50mm 1.. However if you need anything wider than 50mm the only lenses I can think of that will allow you to get the highest image quality are:
Canon 35mmL (if you want a wider prime this is probably the only one)
Canon 16-35mmL
Canon 17-40mmL (probably the best value for money and very sharp)

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

High quality art reproduction falls in the realm of the medium/large format cameras, but the price tag is obscene. Your reproductions pass, obviously, through a post production process anyway so I think that popo’s idea is excellent, to create a composite image using gear that is-I think- much more cost effective than investing in a new system that may or may not reach your requirements.

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Radu
Canon PowerShot S100
Canon 50D , SIGMA 10-20 f3.5 ,Canon EF 24-105 L IS USM, Canon EF 100/2.8 macro Canon EF 50/1.4 ,Canon EF 85 f1.8,Canon EF-S17-85 4-5.6 Old Tamron 28-300 inherited from my Canon Rebel G film camera
Canon580EXII
http://www.errre.net

What about the new Sony A77? 24 megapixels, and at +-$1200 quite cheap compared to the 5D II. The extra money you save, you can use that to buy some really good Zeiss glass, for instance.

EDIT
The Sony: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_SLT_A77/

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Forgot about Sony DSLR's

The A77 with a nice piece of glass would be better than a 5d mk2 with the cheap 50mm

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin