Open Forum

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.  

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice. 



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Matt - you might want to add a good printer and print paper to that.

------------------------------
Gordon Lewis The Fine Arts Conservancy
West Palm Beach, Fl.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2020 04:29 PM
From: Matt Herring
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice.



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/28/2020 4:49:00 PM
From: Gordon Lewis
Subject: RE: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

Matt - you might want to add a good printer and print paper to that.

------------------------------
Gordon Lewis The Fine Arts Conservancy
West Palm Beach, Fl.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2020 04:29 PM
From: Matt Herring
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice.



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/28/2020 5:47:00 PM
From: Jean-Luc Vincent
Subject: RE: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

Hi,
I highly recommend the book Lighting Methods for Photographing Museum Objects:  https://app.pch.gc.ca/application/pub/category-categorie.app?id=530  If you can get that first, it might help you to make your selection and find justification.

If you make that printer an archival printer, it will produce very long lasting prints (ink and paper are important too).

I suggest adding a white photography tent but don't go too small.  Many are of fabric, mine by OrangeMonkie is like coroplast collapsing into a flat briefcase when not needed and it has adjustable LED's,

For the Macro lens, I suggest the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm F3.5G ED VR as you won't have to get as close and I found it much better than the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-dx-micro-nikkor-85mm-f3.5g-ed-vr.html

Don't forget different backgrounds: white, black, and grey.  You also want acid-neutral little things to prop up, stabilize, and angle what you are photographing.

A turntable is also a good idea to turn the object around without manipulating it too much;  you can also use it to do 360° object videos.

'Bye...

--

Jean-Luc Vincent

Administrateur du SIA
Direction des collections, de la conservation et de la restauration
Direction générale des affaires autochtones et du patrimoine culturel
Parcs Canada, Gouvernement du Canada
2630, chemin Sheffield, Ottawa, Ontario, K1B 3V7
Messages: jeanluc.vincent.parcsparks@gmail.com / Cell. 613-720-4418 / Fax 613-990-6627

AIS Administrator
Collections, Curatorial and Conservation Branch
Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate
Parks Canada, Government of Canada
2630 Sheffield Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1B 3V7
Messages: jeanluc.vincent.parcsparks@gmail.com / Cell. 613-720-4418 / Fax 613-990-6627

450 000 km2 de souvenirs / 450 000 km2 of memories

Original Message:
Sent: 5/28/2020 4:49:00 PM
From: Gordon Lewis
Subject: RE: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

Matt - you might want to add a good printer and print paper to that.

------------------------------
Gordon Lewis The Fine Arts Conservancy
West Palm Beach, Fl.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2020 04:29 PM
From: Matt Herring
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice.



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Matt,

Reach out to John Scott @ Roberts Camera in Indianapolis, tell them Jeff from the Florida Museum of Natural History sent you.  They will take care of you with your set-up and possible EDU discount on the equipment.  We use them exclusively.

https://robertscamera.com/pro-gov-edu
 
​

------------------------------
Jeffrey Gage
Photographer
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2020 04:29 PM
From: Matt Herring
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice.



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

I am a Canon user so I'm not going to make any recommendations regarding your choice of Nikon/Nikkor camera/lens but I would probably steer clear of choosing DynaLite for your strobe lighting- though they are portable and of good quality the company recently filed for bankruptcy protection. 

Steve Briggs
Staff Photographer/Freelance Photographer
Worcester Art Museum

------------------------------
Steve Briggs
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2020 08:43 AM
From: Jeffrey Gage
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

Matt,

Reach out to John Scott @ Roberts Camera in Indianapolis, tell them Jeff from the Florida Museum of Natural History sent you.  They will take care of you with your set-up and possible EDU discount on the equipment.  We use them exclusively.

https://robertscamera.com/pro-gov-edu

​

------------------------------
Jeffrey Gage
Photographer
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2020 04:29 PM
From: Matt Herring
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice.



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Hi Matt - as a Nikon user, I can say that the Nikon D500, though a great camera, is not the best choice in their line for this sort of work. You've chosen quite a bit of professional equipment with the Profoto lights and Capure One. The D500 is a crop-sensor camera, and there are limitations to the smaller sensor. For about the same money, you could get the Nikon D780 with the full size sensor. For long-term quality and best overall reproduction quality, the D850 is the top of the line camera, and paired with either the 60mm or 105mm macro, will provide excellent quality archival standard images. I would spend money on the camera and lens before putting so much into the lighting. The Profotos are excellent, top of the line, lights, but are very expensive. A fine alternative are the Paul C Buff Einstein lights - about a third of the price, but they offer similar quality. You can only buy them direct. 

Without knowing more about the project, I can't comment on the other equipment, but the Rosco polarizing sheet is a specialized use purchase, typically used to cross-polarize your lights.

Jonathan Smith
Collections Photographer
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art - University of Oregon


------------------------------
Jonathan Smith
Museum Photographer/Collection
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art - University of Oregon
Eugene OR
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2020 04:29 PM
From: Matt Herring
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice.



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

I agree on both of Jonathan's points- avoid a crop sensor camera and opt for a more affordable choice for strobe lighting. Another such option for strobe lighting is Speedotron.

Steve Briggs 
Staff Photographer
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester, MA

------------------------------
Steve Briggs
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2020 11:18 AM
From: Jonathan Smith
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

Hi Matt - as a Nikon user, I can say that the Nikon D500, though a great camera, is not the best choice in their line for this sort of work. You've chosen quite a bit of professional equipment with the Profoto lights and Capure One. The D500 is a crop-sensor camera, and there are limitations to the smaller sensor. For about the same money, you could get the Nikon D780 with the full size sensor. For long-term quality and best overall reproduction quality, the D850 is the top of the line camera, and paired with either the 60mm or 105mm macro, will provide excellent quality archival standard images. I would spend money on the camera and lens before putting so much into the lighting. The Profotos are excellent, top of the line, lights, but are very expensive. A fine alternative are the Paul C Buff Einstein lights - about a third of the price, but they offer similar quality. You can only buy them direct.

Without knowing more about the project, I can't comment on the other equipment, but the Rosco polarizing sheet is a specialized use purchase, typically used to cross-polarize your lights.

Jonathan Smith
Collections Photographer
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art - University of Oregon


------------------------------
Jonathan Smith
Museum Photographer/Collection
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art - University of Oregon
Eugene OR

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2020 04:29 PM
From: Matt Herring
Subject: looking for guidance to photography hardware for art

We are preparing a grant request to IMLS and I've been tasked with determining what photography hardware we need for the project. We had received a list of recommended hardware from a local photographer for past applications that were turned down. So, I'm trying to update that list and I don't have any photography experience. The original list was as follows:

Apple MacBook Pro
Nikon D5500
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR
Rosco Polarizing Filter Sheet
Manfrotto Tripod
Dynalite M1000 light kit
Manfrotto Basic Light Stand
Westcott 4835 Softbox 24x32" (61x81cm)
Westcott 4834 Softbox 16x22" (40x56cm)
PhaseOne Capture One Pro
i1 Display Pro by X-Rite

Getting a current Macbook is not too challenging, but piecing together the camera, lens, lighting and software is where I'm uncomfortable. A critique on previous applications was that we hadn't selected a good enough camera. So, I'm putting the Nikon D500 in this grant with a compatible AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR lens. I assume that will work. B&H Photo recommended the Profoto D1 Air 500w 2 Moolight along with a transceiver. I am able to get current information on the PhaseOne software and the i1 Display Pro. So, those products are still available.

Is this a good setup?  Do you have other recommendations?  Thanks for any advice.



------------------------------
Matt Herring
Director of Information Technology
Harn Museum of Art - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------