Pro photographer makes own large-format digital camera back
updated 11:15 pm EDT, Thu August 25, 2011
Custom job said to cost over $100k
Professional photographer Mitchell Feinberg has reportedly designed his own large-format digital camera back. The unprecedented design was said to be an essential replacement for an 8x10 Polaroid back, enabling the photographer to instantly preview a composition, in full color at 10-megapixel resolution, before committing to captures using sheet film.
In an interview with APhotoEditor, Feinberg admitted that it was difficult to find companies willing to work with him to produce two of the backs. The project cost was "equal to the cost of a good size house - before the housing crash," however he suggests it will pay for itself down the road.
"I used to shoot on average 7.5 Polaroids per photo, and I shoot between 400 to 500 images a year," Feinberg said. "That’s at least 3000 Polaroids. At 15 bucks a pop. Or about 50K per year, minimum. Polaroid was at one point my highest single cost."
The enormous digital sensor is a significant jump from its smaller but commercially-available counterparts, which max out at 4.5x6cm. The 8x10 backs are said to enable Feinberg to utilize his Sinar camera, with previews delivered in less than 30 seconds.
"I use the back while I am working. Once I am happy with a photo, I flip off the back and then shoot a couple of sheets," Feinberg added. "In this way, I have the quality of 8×10 film, and the immediacy of digital capture. Crazy, right?" [via PetaPixel]
