Better Light, the leading designer and
manufacturer of large-format digital scanning camera backs, has
announced the addition of a new digital scanning back to its SuperModel
family that captures up to 416 megapixels of true RGB image data in
every scan.The combination of
large high-resolution files, extraordinary detail and superb control of
color and tones, has made Better Light scanning backs the device of
choice for a wide variety of advertising, commercial, reproduction and
archival applications since 1994.
Better Light scanning backs are widely
acknowledged for capturing image quality superior to film or fixed-array
digital cameras. Used on a 4x5 view camera or any device accepting 4”x5”
film holders, the capture area is 72mm x 96mm (120mm diagonal), creating
a huge pixel population with the scan movement of its tri-linear sensor.
Each pixel receives pure red, green and blue data so there is no
interpolation of color data, or typical digital artifacts, or moiré
pattern issues to deal with in post-production.
The new Super10K-HS™ answers the call
of museums and similar institutions for larger native file sizes. It has
the ability to create a direct digital image at a native resolution of
10,200 x 13,600 pixels. This high resolution allows scanning of
originals up to 34 x 45 inches in size at 300 pixels per inch without
stitching or interpolation, and generates a 794 MB 48-bit RGB file size.
“This new file size capability will be
of special interest to those portions of the art repro market that deal
with large originals, and who demand very fine detail in reproducing
line art, text, scrolls, and other subjects where absolute clarity is of
maximum importance,” said Better Light President Michael Collette.
“A unique aspect of the increased
resolution possible with the new Super10K-HS back is that its resolving
power can exceed that of the camera lens. At its 100% resolution
setting, the Super10K-HS captures 70 line pairs per millimeter with 60%
contrast, which is higher than most lenses can deliver.”
The new Super10K-HS offers an ISO range
from 64 to 1000, line times from 1/8th to 1/120th of a second, and a 40
GB (or optional 80 GB) internal hard drive for image storage. The unit
provides 11 resolution settings that can be used to capture the perfect
file size for each imaging project, independent of the selected ISO
sensitivity. The camera is also ICC profile-compatible. The Super10K-HS
is priced at $22,995 and will ship at the end of March.
Each of the company’s scan back models
includes Better Light's ViewFinder™ camera control software, which
allows the user to fine-tune exposure, ISO sensitivity, color balance
and contrast, matching the subject, lighting and output conditions for a
perfect digital image — like having a customized "digital film
emulsion". Quality judgments are made based on a high-quality preview
image on the monitor, prior to the capture of the large, high-resolution
file. This software is provided for both Macintosh and Windows
computers.
Better Light offers six models with
image file size capability up to 1.1 GB (48-bit RGB). Priced from
$6,495, any model is upgradeable to a higher performance model, enabling
the photographer to upgrade as requirements change. The product line
covers the diversified range of photographic applications including
commercial, catalog, still life, landscape, art reproduction, scientific
and archival imaging.
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