>From: "D. Kent Thompson" <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Digital cameras >Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001 11:52:55 -0400 > >The defacto standard format for digital > >images is the TIFF file. TIFFs are stable, do not use compression, and > >can be reused for a wide number of purposes. If you have a high end > >digital camera you can take TIFFS to begin with, > >That's what I always thought as well. Even with our now outdated camera, we >capture at the highest res as a TIFF file and save it as such. For the web >based access project, we convert them all to jpegs for our collections >branch. We try to save an unmanipulated (no sharpening etc.) TIFF as the >original image. But, in general, our approach to digital is more for "throw >away" images really, since we still shoot on 4x5 and run a traditional >filing system. I agree that they make sense for doing online & internal >databases, but when it comes to actually getting them offscreen or using for >anything else, it's a whole different ballpark altogether. Those Dicomed >backs that I was referring to, captured a real 2x2 inch array, at 12 bits >per channel. The file sizes were large (100 megs easily) TIFFs. The output >was impressive, but at 55,000 dollars for the back alone, they should be. >never mind the fact that they could only fit on a Hasselblad... > >One other point to keep in mind is the hidden cost of digital. You can tell >yourself that you're saving money by not having to buy film & get it >processed. But are you really? When you look at the cost down the road with >having to archive a database of images. A 1.3 megapixel camera for $300 may >sound like a good deal, but how about one for over $5k (like ours)...in less >than 5 years time. Sure, it's still good for the web based shooting, but not >much else. We have 2 view cameras here, one is over 15 yrs. old, and we use >it daily. We have a half dozen Nikons, with the youngest being bought about >5 yrs. ago. You can use an old camera and still be in a working studio >environment...the common denominator is FILM. It's the capture medium. This >is not the case for most digital cameras...they can become quickly outdated, >much like 8 tracks, VCRs etc... > >Kent Thompson, Photographer >North Carolina Museum of History > >Opinions expressed in this message may not represent the policy of my >agency. > >========================================================= >Important Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).