What Makes Our Slide Transfers Exceptional?
We start with the professionally trained and educated operator who graduated from the world-renowned Brooks Institute of Photography, in Santa Barbara, CA (graduated February, 1996.)
Your slides are professionally digitized at the very highest resolution (of 61.0 megapixels = 9,504 × 6,336 pixel files,) employing specialist equipment and tender care.
Please have a look at the equipment and tools we use. We do not use automation. We take no shortcuts, which is obvious from the results we achieve. To view our slide samples, click here. (- coming soon.)
Important: Read the last paragraph ... if you read nothing else!
Our Camera
Sony α7R IV, 61.0 megapixels - 14bit RAW - with Dynamic Range Optimizer. Image size: 9,504 × 6,336 pixels
This Sony α7R IV 35mm full-frame camera, with 61.0 megapixels, exceeds the resolution of 35 mm film by 170%. That is outstanding performance that creates highly-detailed images.
We capture a true 1:1 image, offering a superior dynamic range of over 14 stops. Film generally has 10 stops of dynamic range, but we can work with a broader range bringing about optimal luminence.
We manually set the exposure on each slide.
For each image, expect approximate file size to be:
• JPEG file - 7.5 MB - we provide
• TIFF file - 340 MB - optional (click the check-box on online order form if you would like the TIFF file -- no extra charge)
• RAW file (ARW) - 60.1 to 60.9 MB - provided upon request (no extra charge)
Our Lens
The best "German" lens designed for true 1:1 macro work
The Voigtländer Macro APO-LANTHAR 110mm F1:2.5
The "APO" (the apochromat) aspect of the lens is important and will produce very impressive details without necessitating post-production chromatic aberration correction. However, if a customer's lens has chromatic aberration issues, we now have an exceptional image at our disposal and can do further "post-capture" work.
This lens is remarkably sophisticated and precise, even though it is a manual focus lens!
Our Light Source
A very reliable strobe light is an essential component.
What furnishes the light is a Canon Speedlite 430EX strobe light set to 1/8 of its full power output. We then shape the light quality by adding a glass diffuser between the strobe and the slide. The diffuser in the lineup is what emits a uniform soft light and is what ultimately backlights the slide.
Our Slide-Holder
We started with this and ended up with a trade-secret piece of equipment.
A projector is used to "hold" the slide in place. We are not using the projector to project the slide image rather to simply hold the slide in place.
It took a little modification -- cutting a sizable portion off the front section and removing the lens. We also had to add a strobe light and a diffusing "milk" glass.
Our Focus Adjustment
We use this to manually find the perfect focus.
This tool is a micrometer. It adjusts in millimeters. It is more precise than the camera's original focusing ring.
Our Software
Capture One image processing software
As Capture One states: "Start your editing with the sharpest possible details and most natural colors."
It handles our very large, RAW files well. It is an essential part of the process.
This professional software, fine-tunes your slide digitization for optimal results all the way through to the final image.
Professional Photographers: If asked, we are happy to provide your with the original RAW capture and the adjustments we set in Capture One to produce your final file export (no extra charge.)
Learn more about Capture One software.
Last but not least!
One of the most important aspects of the entire process - a gentle and thorough dusting with a high quality brush
We start the entire process by hand-cleaning each slide -- both sides. This takes time.
We use a fine art brush to gently wipe away dust and debris that is lightly stuck to the emulsion. Each slide receives the care it deserves. This results in a much cleaner slide than the one we were sent.
We like to say ... "Do it once and do it right."
Author: Nathaniel Courtens
Phone: (805) 640-8883
