leon strembitsky

<p>James, I'm a little confused by the details of your purchase as you describe it but I will tell you that I've been dealing with McBain Camera for over 30 years and have found them to have fantastic customer service. I've mostly dealt with the main store on 107th avenue (they have several in Edmonton and surrounding area) so can't speak to the service you might get where you actually purchased your gear but I'd say at least phone them, better yet take the gear in and talk to them about it. I've always found the staff there to be "bend over backward" helpful. I'm sure they'll be able to work something out with you.</p>

<p>You may want to have a look at Picture Window Pro. </p>

<p>You may want to have a look at Picture Window Pro. I tried it a few years ago but because I've been using Photoshop and was used to that I stayed with it. It seemed to be a very powerful program though and now that Photoshop will be subscription only I might have to go have another look myself...here's a link <a href="http://www.dl-c.com/">http://www.dl-c.com/</a></p>

<p>I have to agree with Robert Hooper on this. A normal to slight telephoto, to maintain proper perspective, will do the best job for the product shots. Not the best answer for all around pohotography but you've stated that that would only be an added bonus. Also I think for product photography, non moving objects, you can do without the shift lens some others have recommended. Try looking at this video about merging photos focused at different points in Photoshop CS4. I think it's just the thing for your project and will save you a bundle of money on a lens. Of course you'll have to purchase CS4 if you don't have it...</p>

<p>Here's the link to the video:<br>

<a href="http://tv.adobe.com/watch/photoshopcafe-tv/merge-depth-of-field-with-photoshop-cs4/">http://tv.adobe.com/watch/photoshopcafe-tv/merge-depth-of-field-with-photoshop-cs4/</a></p>

<p>Good luck with your project,<br>

Leon</p>

<p>Still have the gear for a full color or b&w darkroom good to 4x5 but it's been stored in the garage for about four years. Anybody want it? I'm still shooting and processing (Sidekick) b&w film and color transparencies but they get scanned and printed digitally. Took a while to get used to my b&w's looking more like platinum prints but the technology is moving along quicky and improving all the time. As soon as I can afford a digital camera/back that matches both quality and the ability to produce big files that are comparable to my scanned 4x5 then I'll happily go completely digital. Never liked working in the darkroom. It wasn't the process for me, as it is for a lot of folks, it was always about the end product. Right now I'm getting better finished photos with inkjet prints than I ever did in the wet darkroom. Just my two cents.</p>

Jo-anna,

 

I've used both the Alto and Logan in the past and you can do most things with them...but not well. You don't say what your budget is but as a picture framer for the past 20 years I'd advise you to look for a better used mat cutter. Something like a Fletcher 2100 or something like it. They show up from time to time at "that auction site" for very reasonable prices. If you're not in a big hurry to get one you can save a lot of money and have a much better, versitile cutter. The 2100 will do straight line cuts for sizing both boards and backing and you can cut single, double, triple etc mats, v-grooves, you name it you can cut it pretty much. Just my two cents.

 

Leon Strembitsky

Sam,

I got mine on ebay (an older scsi model which may or may not be what you need for your application) for much less than a new one. If you're not in a hurry you might try what I did which was to save a search for "betterlight" and then just wait for an auction notice to be sent to you and see if you can get one at the price you can afford. Worked for me!

 

Be well,

Leon

David,

 

Someone sent me a link to a site that makes a little piece of software called NegPos that seems to work quite well for some color negs and not so well for others. Give it a try, there's a free evaluation version available. http://www.c-f-systems.com/Plug-ins.html

Sometimes I get better results with the flextight software sometimes with the NegPos. I'm scanning with an Imacon 848.

Be well,

Leon

Depending on the size of your light source you can buy sheet polarizing material here: http://polarization.com/shop/catalog/index.html

 

This company is out of Texas. I just ordered (literally 10 minutes ago!) a couple of feet for myself and it's being shipped to me in Canada.

 

Hope this helps some,

 

Leon